Elevating Immune and Inflammation Assessment: iollo's Comprehensive Testing for Personalized Patient Care

March 14, 2024

Overview

Inflammation and immune health are critical aspects of overall well-being, and their optimization can significantly improve patients' quality of life. iollo's advanced metabolomic testing offers healthcare providers a powerful tool to identify imbalances in immune function and inflammatory pathways, enabling the development of personalized interventions for their patients. 

This educational material aims to familiarize physicians with the key immune and inflammation markers measured by iollo's test, their interpretation, and the potential benefits for patients experiencing various immune-related health issues.

Who May Benefit from This Test?

iollo's immune and inflammation testing can be particularly beneficial for patients experiencing various symptoms or conditions related to immune dysfunction or chronic inflammation. Some of the key indications for testing include:

  • Chronic pain or inflammation: Patients with persistent pain or inflammation, such as those with arthritis or chronic fatigue syndrome, may have underlying immune imbalances contributing to their symptoms.
  • Autoimmune disorders: Individuals diagnosed with autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis, can benefit from metabolomic testing to identify specific areas of immune dysfunction and guide targeted interventions.
  • Frequent infections or illnesses: Patients who experience recurrent infections or prolonged recovery times may have a weakened immune system that could be addressed through personalized recommendations based on metabolomic testing.
  • Allergies or asthma: Chronic allergies or asthma may indicate an overactive immune response, and metabolomic testing can help identify underlying imbalances and guide treatment strategies.
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Patients with IBD, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, often experience chronic inflammation in the digestive tract. Metabolomic testing can provide insights into the specific inflammatory pathways involved and guide targeted interventions.

Other patients who may benefit from immune and inflammation testing include those with a family history of autoimmune disorders, individuals with chronic stress or poor sleep habits, and those with nutrient deficiencies that may impact immune function.

Understanding Immune and Inflammation Markers

iollo's Immune and Inflammation Panel measures a comprehensive set of biomarkers that provide insights into various aspects of immune function and inflammatory pathways. Some of the key markers include:

  1. Kynurenine-to-Tryptophan Ratio (KT Ratio)
  • The KT ratio is a marker of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) enzyme activity, which is induced by inflammatory cytokines and reflects immune activation [1].
  • High KT ratios have been associated with various diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and immunodeficiency syndrome [2,3].
  1. Arachidonic Acid (AA)
  • AA is an omega-6 fatty acid that serves as a precursor for pro-inflammatory eicosanoids, such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes [4].
  • High levels of AA have been associated with various metabolic and inflammatory diseases, including obesity, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease [5].
  1. Spermidine
  • Spermidine is a polyamine that plays a role in immune cell function, cell growth, and autophagy [6].
  • Low levels of spermidine have been associated with age-related deterioration of the immune system and increased inflammation [7].

Interpreting Results and Patient Benefits

iollo's metabolomic testing provides valuable insights into patients' immune health and inflammatory status:

  • Identifying imbalances in key immune and inflammation markers can reveal underlying issues such as chronic inflammation, immune activation, or immunodeficiency.
  • Patients struggling with immune-related health issues, such as chronic pain, autoimmune disorders, frequent infections, allergies, or IBD, can particularly benefit from the comprehensive analysis of their metabolomic profile.

iollo's test results are highly actionable, offering personalized recommendations based on each patient's unique health history and context:

  • For example, patients with low spermidine levels may benefit from increasing their intake of spermidine- and polyamine-rich foods, such as wheat germ, soybeans, and aged cheese, or considering spermidine supplementation [8].

Physicians can assist patients in prioritizing 2-3 key recommendations to focus on initially, based on the most significant imbalances in immune and inflammation markers and the patient's individual goals and preferences. 

Regular monitoring of these biomarkers can also help track patients' progress and optimize their treatment plans over time.

Conclusion

iollo's advanced metabolomic testing provides healthcare providers with a powerful tool to assess and optimize their patients' immune health and inflammatory status. By understanding the key markers measured and their implications for immune function and inflammation, physicians can develop personalized interventions that address underlying imbalances and support their patients' well-being. Integrating Iollo's testing into clinical practice can complement other functional and integrative approaches to immune and inflammation management, ultimately helping patients achieve optimal health outcomes.

To learn more about iollo's metabolomic testing and how it can benefit your patients, please visit www.iollo.com or contact our support team at support@iollo.com.

References

[1] Badawy & Guillemin (2019). Int J Tryptophan Res. 12:1178646919868978.
[2] Gazi et al. (2021). Am J Trop Med Hyg. 104(2):766.
[3] Ciorba (2013). Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 29(2):146-152.
[4] Hanna & Hafez (2018). J Adv Res. 11:23-32.
[5] Sonnweber et al. (2018). Int J Mol Sci. 19(11):3285.
[6] Hesterberg et al. (2018). Med Sci. 6(1):22.
[7] Madeo et al. (2019). Autophagy. 15(1):165-168.
[8] Soda et al. (2021). Med Sci. 9(2):22.

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iollo is for anyone who wants to be empowered with information and data about their blood metabolome. iollo tests are intended exclusively for wellness purposes. iollo cannot provide you with medical advice or diagnose you with any disease or condition. Any information provided by iollo is not medical advice and is not intended to replace the advice of your medical professional.