2) Inflammation Tests

 2) Inflammation Tests

 

 

Testing – How Valuable Is It? 

 

VERY Valuable!

 

There are some types of Testing, which I believe to be very valuable – both in IBD disease management, and in IBD disease diagnosis, and I will go over those types of tests here, and will share with you which tests I’ve done  and why.

 

These tests are:

 

1) Genetic Risk, Carrier Risk, Drug Response Testing

 

2) Inflammation Tests:

(should be done every 3-4 months)

 

In some diseases the body’s immune system triggers an inflammatory response when there are no foreign substances (such as bacteria) to fight off. In these diseases, called autoimmune diseases, the body’s normally protective immune system causes damage to its own tissues.

 

 A) Inflammation Panel

 

The Inflammation Panel contains the following tests:

  • Chemistry Profile (complete metabolic panel with lipids)

  • Complete Blood Count (CBC)

  • C-Reactive Protein (high sensitivity)

  • Sedimentation Rate

  • Rheumatoid Factor (RF)

  • Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) Screen

 

Click here to see more info on the Inflammation Panel Blood Test

 

 

 2) Inflammation Tests

 

 

B) Omega Score Test

 

As we have discussed in prior Updates, eating a diet rich in Omega 3’s and reducing your dietary intake of Omega 6’s, will serve to reduce the overall inflammation in the body – the whole premise behind the Paleo Diet, which we have discussed at length.

 

This Omega Score Test is very valuable in that it indicates your levels of both Omega 3’s and Omega 6’s in your blood, and at the cellular levels. The higher the ratio of Omega 6’s to Omega 3’s, the more inflammation. So if your results show high scores of Omega 3’s, it translates into lower inflammation levels in your body. That will not just affect your IBD, UC, and Crohn’s but will also affect all other diseases as well, especially since most diseases are a result of high inflammation. So, the higher the Omega 3 score, the less inflammation.

 

Omega-3 fats are a small group of molecules technically known as fatty acids. The key clinical omega-3 fats are EPA and DHA, which are found largely in coldwater fish. It is well established in current literature that a higher blood level of these important fats may help to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

 

The evidence for supplementing with omega-3 fats is now so firmly established that even mainstream doctors are convinced of its merits. But until now there’s been no easy way for people to monitor the effects of supplementation.

Life Extension® now offers an omega-3 blood test for evaluating the success of supplementation with fish oils. The test evaluates what is called an Omega Score® by measuring the following:

  • Omega-3 Whole Blood Score

  • Omega-3 Equivalence Score

  • Omega-3 EPA/DHA Equivalence Score

  • Omega-3 Red Blood Cell Equivalence Score

  • Complete breakdown of fatty acids by weight, including the AA/EPA ratio and the Omega-3/Omega-6 ratio

This test is conveniently packaged in a kit. Fasting is not required. Consumption of omega-3 supplements or high omega seafood such as Tuna or Salmon within 24-48 hours of testing will not impact the results. Take your supplements the day prior to testing; however do not supplement the morning of the test.

 

Click here to see an Omega Score Sample Report

 

Click here to see the Omega Score Test

 

 

 

 

 

Comments are closed.