Vanillylmandelic Acid (VMA) is a metabolic breakdown product of certain catecholamines, including epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and dopamine. VMA is excreted in the urine, and its measurement in a random urine sample is used in medical tests to assess the levels of these catecholamines.

Vanilmandelate is a noradrenalin metabolite.

Nutrient association: Essential amino acids

Vanilmandelate (VMA) and Homovanillate (HVA) are breakdown products from neurotransmitters involved in hormone and nerve impulse transmission, called catecholamines.

Treatments to improve digestion, along with supplementation of tyrosine or phenylalanine, can help improve the ability to keep up with demand for these neurotransmitters.

Vanilmandelate (VMA) and Homovanillate (HVA) are breakdown products from neurotransmitters involved in hormone and nerve impulse transmission, called catecholamines.

Vanilmandelate (VMA) and Homovanillate (HVA) are breakdown products from neurotransmitters involved in hormone and nerve impulse transmission, called catecholamines.

Vanilmandelate is a metabolite of epinephrine and norepinephrine (also known as adrenaline and noradrenaline).

Vanilmandelate (VMA) is the primary metabolite of norepinephrine and epinephrine (adrenaline). The adrenal gland makes cortisol and DHEA (from the adrenal cortex) as well as norepinephrine and epinephrine (from the adrenal medulla).

→ When adrenal hormone output is low, Vanilmandelate (VMA) levels may be low.

→ If Homovanillate (HVA) levels are significantly higher than Vanilmandelate (VMA), there may be a conversion problem from dopamine to norepinephrine. This case can be caused by a copper or vitamin C deficiency.

→ The enzymes COMT (methylation of catechols) and MAO are needed to make HVA and VMA from dopamine and norepinephrine respectively. If these enzymes are not working properly, HVA and/or VMA may be low in urine, when circulating levels of dopamine and/or norepinephrine/epinephrine may not be low.

→ Low levels of norepinephrine/epinephrine are associated with addictions, cravings, fatigue, low blood pressure, low muscle tone, intolerance to exercise, depression, and loss of alertness.

→ High levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine are associated with feelings of stress, aggression, violence, impatience, anxiety, panic, excess worry/hypervigilance, insomnia, paranoia, increasing tingling/burning, loss of memory, pain sensitivity, high blood pressure and heart palpitations.

Vanilmandelic acid (VMA) is formed in the liver by the oxidation of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol.

As a downstream metabolite of tyrosine-derived catecholamines, levels of VMA can reflect the overall synthesis and metabolism of catecholamines.

Whether norepinephrine or epinephrine are metabolized into VMA or 3-methoxy-4-OH-phenylglycol (MHPG) depends on the presence and specificity of various available aldehyde reductase and dehydrogenase enzymes.

Vanilmandelic Acid is a breakdown product from neurotransmitters involved in hormone and nerve impulse transmission.

Metabolite of epinephrine and norepinephrine. Often elevated due to stress induced catecholamine output or lead toxicity.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a herpes virus, causes 2 distinct rash-associated diseases:

1) chickenpox (varicella) and 2) herpes zoster (shingles).

Chickenpox is a highly contagious, though typically benign, disease, usually contracted during childhood. Chickenpox is characterized by a dermal vesiculopustular rash that develops in successive crops approximately 10 to 21 days following exposure. Although primary infection with VZV results in immunity and protection from subsequent infection, VZV remains latent within sensory dorsal root ganglia and upon reactivation, manifests as herpes zoster or shingles. During reactivation, the virus migrates along neural pathways to the skin, producing a unilateral rash, usually limited to a single dermatome.

Shingles is an extremely painful condition typically occurring in older nonimmune adults or those with waning immunity to VZV and in patients with impaired cellular immunity.

The Varicella-Zoster Antibody (IgG) test looks for antibodies in your blood that your body makes against the varicella-zoster virus. It is very contagious. Varicella-zoster virus, a herpesvirus, causes two distinct rash-associated diseases:

– chickenpox (varicella)

– shingles (herpes zoster).

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes both varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles). VZV produces a generalized vesicular rash on the dermis (chickenpox) in normal children, usually before 10 years of age. After primary infection with VZV, the virus persists in latent form and may emerge clinically (usually in adults 50 years of age and older) to cause a unilateral vesicular eruption, generally in a dermatomal distribution (shingles).

What is the VEGF test?

This test measures the amount of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in your blood. VEGF is a substance that helps encourage the growth of new blood vessels. Your body makes more VEGF in certain cases. For instance, if your tissues aren't getting enough oxygen, they may make more VEGF so that new blood vessels grow to bring in more oxygen. Your lungs contain VEGF because good blood flow is vital there.

But VEGF also plays a role in cancer growth. Cancers need an ample blood supply. As a tumor grows larger, its cells need more oxygen from the blood. The cancer encourages new blood vessels to grow to supply it with more blood and oxygen. Most tumors show higher levels of VEGF. Sometimes higher levels mean a lower chance of survival. In addition, VEGF may be important in the spread of cancer to other places within your body. Certain cancer treatments target VEGF. This test may be used to tell how well the treatments are working.

VEGF can also promote "leakiness" of blood vessels. This can lead to swelling in surrounding areas. This can be especially harmful during brain cancer because it can increase pressure within the skull and may lead to brain damage. Leaking blood vessels in the eye causing problems is also seen in age-related macular degeneration and eye changes from diabetes.

Normal concentrations of VEGF do not exclude the diagnosis of POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes) syndrome.

What is the VEGF test?

This test measures the amount of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in your blood. VEGF is a substance that helps encourage the growth of new blood vessels. Your body makes more VEGF in certain cases. For instance, if your tissues aren't getting enough oxygen, they may make more VEGF so that new blood vessels grow to bring in more oxygen. Your lungs contain VEGF because good blood flow is vital there.

But VEGF also plays a role in cancer growth. Cancers need an ample blood supply. As a tumor grows larger, its cells need more oxygen from the blood. The cancer encourages new blood vessels to grow to supply it with more blood and oxygen. Most tumors show higher levels of VEGF. Sometimes higher levels mean a lower chance of survival. In addition, VEGF may be important in the spread of cancer to other places within your body. Certain cancer treatments target VEGF. This test may be used to tell how well the treatments are working.

VEGF can also promote "leakiness" of blood vessels. This can lead to swelling in surrounding areas. This can be especially harmful during brain cancer because it can increase pressure within the skull and may lead to brain damage. Leaking blood vessels in the eye causing problems is also seen in age-related macular degeneration and eye changes from diabetes.

Normal concentrations of VEGF do not exclude the diagnosis of POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes) syndrome.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (= VIP) is a neurotransmitter, widely distributed through the central and peripheral nervous system with the highest concentration occurring in the submucosal postganglionic intrinsic nerves of the intestinal tract. 

Normally VIP has a low blood concentration and does not change with meals.

What are the functions of Vasoactive intestinal peptide?

VIP is considered a hormone and is found in the pancreas, intestine, and central nervous system. It has many functions in the body, such as:

→ functions as a neuromodulator and neurotransmitter

→ helping to control the secretion of water, salts, enzymes, and gastric acid during digestion. 

→ regulates smooth muscle activity, epithelial cell secretion, and blood flow in the gastrointestinal tract 

→ being a potent vasodilator [open (dilate) blood vessels]

→ has effects on the immune system and the central nervous system. 

→ it functions as a neurohormone and paracrine mediator, being released from nerve terminals and acting locally on receptor-bearing cells.

The Vasopressin test measures the level of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in blood.

The marker "VCA gp125 (IgG)" is an important component of a comprehensive test that aims to detect potential neural autoimmunity, which can affect the nervous system and brain health. "VCA" stands for Viral Capsid Antigen, and "gp125" refers to a specific glycoprotein component of the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) that this test targets. The "IgG" in the name signifies Immunoglobulin G, a type of antibody. In the context of this test, the presence of IgG antibodies against the VCA gp125 indicates a past or ongoing immune response to the EBV.

The Epstein-Barr Virus is known for its association with various conditions, including but not limited to, mononucleosis, certain cancers, and potentially contributing to autoimmune diseases and neurological conditions. The NeuralZoomer Plus panel, offered by Vibrant Wellness, includes this marker as part of its broader effort to identify autoantibodies that could signal the presence of neurological conditions, aiding healthcare providers in diagnosing and managing potential autoimmune-related neurological disorders. This tool is particularly valuable for identifying silent or subclinical conditions that may otherwise go unnoticed, enabling early intervention strategies to prevent or mitigate long-term health issues related to neural autoimmunity.

The venereal disease research laboratory test (VDRL) is a blood test that can identify syphilis infections. Syphilis is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

A VDRL test measures antibodies that are often produced within one to two weeks after an infected person develops an initial sore. VDRL testing can be performed on blood or spinal fluid.

Serologic tests provide only indirect evidence of syphilis and may be reactive in the absence of clinical, historical, or epidemiologic evidence of syphilis. The VDRL usually becomes reactive within the first few weeks after infection, peaks during the first year, and then slowly declines, so that low titers (levels) are seen in late syphilis. It can revert to negative in the absence of treatment in about 25% of cases. 

Presence of vegetable fibers is indicative of improper chewing or digestive insufficiency.