Omega-6 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat found in vegetable oils, nuts and seeds. When eaten in moderation and in place of the saturated fats found in meats and dairy products, omega-6 fatty acids can be good for your heart.

Your body needs fatty acids and can make all but two of them, which is why they are called essential fatty acids. Linoleic and linolenic acids are derived from foods containing omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, respectively, which serve different functions in the body. Some of these fatty acids appear to cause inflammation, but others seem to have anti-inflammatory properties. More research is needed to fully understand how these apparently opposing effects interact with each other and with other nutrients.

Having high levels of Total Omega 9 Fatty Acids is generally considered beneficial for health. Omega-9 fatty acids are monounsaturated fats that are nonessential, meaning your body can produce them. They are often found in foods like olive oil, avocados, and nuts. Omega-9 fatty acids have been associated with potential roles in reducing inflammation and promoting heart health. While they are nonessential, incorporating sources of omega-9 fats into your diet can be advantageous, especially when replacing saturated fats. High levels of omega-9s are generally preferred as they are considered beneficial for overall well-being, particularly heart health. However, it's important to maintain a balanced diet and consider factors such as overall fat intake and the types of fats consumed.

Having high levels of Total Omega 9 Fatty Acids is generally considered beneficial for health. Omega-9 fatty acids are monounsaturated fats that are nonessential, meaning your body can produce them. They are often found in foods like olive oil, avocados, and nuts. Omega-9 fatty acids have been associated with potential roles in reducing inflammation and promoting heart health. While they are nonessential, incorporating sources of omega-9 fats into your diet can be advantageous, especially when replacing saturated fats. High levels of omega-9s are generally preferred as they are considered beneficial for overall well-being, particularly heart health. However, it's important to maintain a balanced diet and consider factors such as overall fat intake and the types of fats consumed.

The Total Omega-3 (RBC) test, a vital component of the Micronutrient panel by Vibrant America, offers a comprehensive assessment of omega-3 fatty acids in red blood cells (RBCs), crucial for a wide range of bodily functions. This test measures the total amount of omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid), DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid), and DPA (Docosapentaenoic Acid), providing an accurate indicator of long-term omega-3 status, as opposed to transient serum levels. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for cardiovascular health, brain function, and anti-inflammatory processes. Adequate levels are associated with reduced risk of heart disease, improved cognitive function, and lower inflammation.

The Total Omega-6 (RBC) test, a pivotal component of the Micronutrient panel by Vibrant America, provides an in-depth analysis of the total omega-6 fatty acids present in red blood cells (RBCs). Omega-6 fatty acids, including key types like linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA), play vital roles in cellular health, inflammation regulation, and overall bodily functions. By measuring omega-6 levels in RBCs, this test offers a more precise and long-term assessment of the body's fatty acid profile compared to transient serum levels, reflecting true cellular integration and utilization over time.

About one-third of the total fats in blood serum is composed of phospholipids, a fat containing phosphorus. A big proportion of these phospholipids is lecithin, which contains choline phosphate plus glycerol combined together on one part of the molecule. 

There’s an enzyme called lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) that is responsible for transesterifying free cholesterol with fats derived from lecithin. The LCAT is important for lipoprotein particle remodeling; for example, converting HDL, LDL, and VLDL to other lipoprotein particles. 

Porphyrins are natural chemicals in the body that help form many important substances in the body such as hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen in the blood. Porphyrins are normally present at low concentrations in blood and other body fluids, such as urine.

Total Prostate Specific Antigen (TPSA) is a serine protease produced by prostate cells, primarily used as a biomarker for the screening and monitoring of prostate cancer. While elevated TPSA levels can indicate the presence of prostate cancer, they can also arise from benign conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis. The TPSA test measures the total amount of PSA in the blood, which includes both free and protein-bound forms. Although TPSA is a valuable tool in early detection and management of prostate cancer, its specificity is limited, as elevated levels can occur in non-cancerous conditions. Therefore, healthcare providers often use additional tests, such as the free-to-total PSA ratio, to improve diagnostic accuracy and differentiate between benign and malignant prostate conditions.

What is the total protein marker?

Total protein is the sum concentration of all individual serum proteins (g/dL). There are many hundreds of different protein species in serum, including straight polypeptides as well as glycosylated and lipid-associated forms.

Since total protein consists mainly of a composite of albumin and globulins, the result is not interpreted in isolation, but rather is interpreted in context of the changes in albumin and globulins (independently and in relation to each other). Albumin generally accounts for about half (~50%) of the total protein concentration in plasma.

The Total Protein, Urine test measures the amount of protein in the urine and is an essential diagnostic tool for assessing kidney health. Healthy kidneys filter waste from the blood, keeping necessary proteins in the bloodstream and removing excess waste in the urine. However, when kidney function is compromised, proteins such as albumin can leak into the urine, indicating potential kidney damage.

What Are Normal Levels for Total Protein in Urine?

• Random urine sample: Normal protein levels are typically between 0 to 20 mg/dL.
• 24-hour urine collection: The normal value should be less than 80 mg of protein per 24 hours.

Total Regulatory T cells (Treg) serve as a crucial marker for understanding immune regulation and potential autoimmune dysregulation within the body. Tregs, a subset of T cells characterized by the expression of CD4, CD25, and the transcription factor FoxP3, play an essential role in maintaining immune tolerance by suppressing the activation and proliferation of effector T cells that could otherwise attack self-antigens and cause autoimmune disease.

Total Saturated Fats is a key marker providing important information about the levels of saturated fats in your diet. Saturated fats are a type of fat found in various foods, including animal products like meat and dairy, as well as some plant-based oils like coconut and palm oil and peanut butter. These fats are typically solid at room temperature. Monitoring the total amount of saturated fats in your diet is crucial because high intake is linked to an increased risk of developing heart disease and other health issues. When you consume too many saturated fats, it can lead to higher levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol, in your blood.

SCFAs are produced from the fermentation of fibre and protein by certain components of the gut microflora. The SCFAs produced from the fermentation of fibre by probiotic bacteria such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli have a range of beneficial effects from serving as a fuel for cells lining the intestine (and the rest of the body) to creating an acidic intestinal environment that is unfavourable to potential pathogens.

SIgA is the main immunoglobulin found in mucous secretions, including tears, saliva, sweat, colostrum, and secretions from the genitourinary tract, GI tract, prostate and respiratory epithelium. It is the most abundant class of antibodies found in the intestine. It promotes clearance of microbial pathogens and antigens from intestinal lumen through a process of entrapment called “immune exclusion.” SIgA uses this process to prevent the binding of these invaders to the epithelial cell receptors and entrapping them in the upper and lower layers of mucus, thus facilitating their removal through agglutination and GI secretion.

Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA) are the products of fermentation of insoluble fiber from diet (e.g., cellulose, resistant starch) by the bacteria in the gut. These fatty acids have been shown to play an important role in regulating metabolism in the gut and are closely associated with gastrointestinal diseases. Acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid are the most abundant, representing 90-95% of the SCFA present in the colon. A total of 13 SCFAs are quantified in stool to assist assessment of the gut health and inflammation.