Occludin and Zonulin are proteins of the tight junctions found between epithelial cells of the intestinal barrier. These proteins are gate keepers of the body, allowing only small amino acid nutrients to pass into the blood stream.

Occludin and Zonulin are proteins of the tight junctions found between epithelial cells of the intestinal barrier. These proteins are gate keepers of the body, allowing only small amino acid nutrients to pass into the blood stream.

In many cases, a positive occult blood results from gastrointestinal bleeding from the upper small intestine or higher. Gastric ulceration could, for example, result in a finding of occult blood rather than blood in the feces. However, a positive finding of occult blood may also be associated with colon cancer, ulcerative colitis (check fecal calprotectin and lactoferrin levels), ulceration of the esophagus, stomach or duodenum, diverticulitis, and gastric carcinoma.

The fecal occult blood test (=FOBT) looks for blood in your feces. “Occult” (=hidden) means that the blood amount is so small that it cannot be seen with the naked eye. The bleeding does not change the color of the stool or result in visible bright red blood. Therefore, the blood is found only by testing the stool for blood in the laboratory.

Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) – Stool Occult Blood

The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) checks for hidden blood in stool using antibodies specific to human hemoglobin. This makes it more accurate for detecting bleeding from the colon or rectum than older guaiac-based stool tests, and unlike those tests, FIT does not require dietary restrictions.

Blood in stool can result from polyps, colorectal cancer, hemorrhoids, inflammation, or other lower GI conditions. Detecting blood early is important, since finding and removing polyps may help prevent colorectal cancer. For people at average risk, FIT is often recommended once a year beginning at age 45.

How to collect: Use the provided kit exactly as instructed—usually swiping a brush or applicator across the stool surface, sealing it in the collection tube, and returning it promptly. Try to avoid collecting during menstruation or with heavy hemorrhoid bleeding.

Interpreting results:

• Negative: No blood found. This is reassuring, but regular screening is still needed, since some problems bleed intermittently.

• Positive: Blood was detected. This does not necessarily mean cancer but usually leads to a follow-up colonoscopy to find the cause.

• Invalid: The sample could not be tested correctly and should be repeated.

While a positive result may be caused by polyps, hemorrhoids, fissures, or inflammation, it should always be followed up. A negative test lowers the chance of bleeding from the colon, but continued annual testing is important.

Ochratoxin is a nephrotoxic, immunotoxic, and carcinogenic mycotoxin. This chemical is produced by molds in the Aspergillus and Penicillium families.

Exposure:

Exposure is done primarily through water damaged buildings. Minimal exposure can occur through contaminated foods such as cereals, grape juices, dairy, spices, wine, dried vine fruit, and coffee. Exposure to Ochratoxin can also come from inhalation exposure in water-damaged buildings.

Ochratoxin can cause immune suppression, lung disease, urinary tract tumors, and is nephrotoxic (kidneys), hepatotoxic (liver), genotoxic (genes), and carcinogenic (causes cancer). This is due to its ability to form DNA adducts and inhibit protein synthesis. Ochratoxin can potentiate the effects of IL-1 Bon IL-8 secretion with a range of 35% to 138% increase and augments the transepithelial passage of commensal bacteria with a 12- to 1522-fold increase. Studies have shown it causes leaky gut syndrome and changes the nutrients that are absorbed from foods.

Ochratoxin is a nephrotoxic, immunotoxic, and carcinogenic mycotoxin. This chemical is produced by molds in the Aspergillus and Penicillium families.

Exposure:

Exposure is done primarily through water damaged buildings. Minimal exposure can occur through contaminated foods such as cereals, grape juices, dairy, spices, wine, dried vine fruit, and coffee. Exposure to Ochratoxin can also come from inhalation exposure in water-damaged buildings.

Ochratoxin can cause immune suppression, lung disease, urinary tract tumors, and is nephrotoxic (kidneys), hepatotoxic (liver), genotoxic (genes), and carcinogenic (causes cancer). This is due to its ability to form DNA adducts and inhibit protein synthesis. Ochratoxin can potentiate the effects of IL-1 Bon IL-8 secretion with a range of 35% to 138% increase and augments the transepithelial passage of commensal bacteria with a 12- to 1522-fold increase. Studies have shown it causes leaky gut syndrome and changes the nutrients that are absorbed from foods.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a nephrotoxic, immunotoxic, and carcinogenic mycotoxin. This chemical is produced by molds in the Aspergillus and Penicillium families.

A toxin produced by different Aspergillus and Penicillium species — is one of the most-abundant food-contaminating mycotoxins. It is also a frequent contaminant of water-damaged houses and of heating ducts. Exposure can also come from inhalation in water-damaged buildings.

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a renal toxin, is produced majorly by Aspergillus and Penicillium fungal species. Ochratoxin A has been found in barley, oats, rye, wheat, coffee beans, and other plant products, with barley having a particularly high likelihood of contamination. It is also frequently found in pork intended for human consumption.

The bacteria are found in the human gut where they are considered “commensal”, which means “eating from the same dish”. They exist in the human body without either helping or hindering us.