Integrated Medicine Centre of TriesteCON ATTIVITÀ WITH OUTPATIENT NUTRITION SERVICES

TEST FOR FOOD INFLAMMATION PROFILE (Recaller 2.0)

The test is based on the evidence that many disorders linked to chronic inflammation, such as overweight and obesity, colitis, autoimmune diseases, migraines, arthritis, and many others, can be effectively treated by reducing the inflammatory cytokines due to diet.

Nowadays, it is possible to understand the internal inflammatory status from different food groups by measuring at least two important cytokines (BAFF-B Cell Activating Factor and PAF-Platelet Activating Factor) and determining which foods should be varied in the weekly diet.

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) has long been considered an antibody ‘against’ food, while more recent research has even identified its protective role against allergic reactions, but at the same time, it signals excessive food intake or systematic repetition of consumption.

Why not limit oneself to measuring the most commonly used parameters?

For a long time, the biomarkers studied to evaluate the inflammatory state have been the ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and CRP (C-reactive protein), both markers of the acute phase, reflecting the immune and inflammatory response of the body.

The ESR is an index frequently used to detect the presence of a generic inflammatory state. The ESR increases as a result of many types of inflammation: when an inflammatory process is triggered, numerous proteins, such as fibrinogen and certain globulins, are released into the blood, promoting the aggregation of red blood cells and consequently leading to an increase in ESR levels.

The CRP, on the other hand, is synthesised by the liver and primarily acts by binding to phosphocholine, a lipid expressed on cells undergoing death. The binding of CRP to these cells is important for activating the immune system and for their elimination. CRP levels increase, for example, within 2 hours of trauma, which is why it is referred to as an ‘acute phase’ protein. The rapid rise in CRP can arise from various conditions (infections, trauma, tissue necrosis, autoimmune diseases, etc.), so it cannot be considered a specific marker of a given pathology and does not allow us to identify the biological process underway.

The analysis is performed through the collection of capillary blood via self-sampling, and the dried blood sample is sent to and analysed at the GEK laboratory, currently located at the University of Tor Vergata in Rome, which ensures high quality standards. The measurement of BAFF and PAF, as well as specific immunoglobulin G, is based on ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) tests. The Personal Food Profile, identified through the analysis of specific IgG for foods, enables an innovative nutritional approach that can be integrated with any ongoing treatment.

TEST FOR SUGAR INFLAMMATION PROFILE (GlycoTest)

This is an innovative test scientifically based on the integrated evaluation of two specific substances that indicate how all sugars introduced into the body, including hidden ones or those often not considered as such, can cause inflammatory and metabolic damage such as overweight and obesity, type 2 diabetes, hepatic steatosis, various dysmetabolisms, hormonal dysfunctions, neuropsychiatric imbalances, arthritis, and many others. Additionally, it is possible to verify if the sugar inflammation profile and the resulting disorders are due to the presence of a genetic component.

Thanks to the investigation of this latter aspect, the test detects in advance the potentially harmful effects of sugars (such as fructose, maltose, sorbitol, galactose, and others) and alcohol, and can measure the response to nutritional changes and any therapeutic setup.

The analysis is performed through the collection of capillary blood via self-sampling, and the dried blood sample is sent to and analysed at the GEK laboratory, currently located at the University of Tor Vergata in Rome, which ensures high quality standards.

Why not limit oneself to measuring the most commonly used parameters?

Fasting blood glucose and glycated haemoglobin alone are insufficient to detect the overall effects of all sugars, as documented by recent scientific research. The GlycoTest highlights these effects by measuring two molecules: glycated albumin and methylglyoxal.

Glycated albumin represents an index of glycaemic control in the short-to-medium term, being particularly sensitive to variations in average glucose levels over the last three weeks. Unlike glycated haemoglobin, its values also consider the peaks of fructose or glucose that occur after meals or after the intake of sweet substances or rapidly absorbed starches. The dosage thus also represents a ‘peak index’ of various circulating sugars and the measure of actual glycation of proteins, i.e., the reading of the damage caused by different types of sugars binding to circulating proteins. It is as if the sugars ‘caramelised’ the circulating proteins, hindering their proper functioning.

Methylglyoxal is an oxidising substance, the level of which increases in proportion to glucose levels and peaks, as well as fluctuations in glucose and fructose concentration. High baseline levels indicate a significant alteration in sugar sensitivity and require a few days of controlled diet (generally regarding sweets, wine, fructose, and alcohol) to reduce. Its accumulation leads to negative effects that also involve insulin resistance. However, its presence, while signalling a negative metabolic characteristic, still reflects the organism's ability to adapt to sugar loads.

The report allows for appropriate suggestions to rebalance the individual's condition and remedy any disorders.

TEST FOR BIOLOGICAL AGE EVALUATION (BioAge)

BioAge is a genetic test that measures the average length of telomeric DNA. Telomeres are the terminal part of each chromosome that protects the ends from shortening caused by time, aging, and the effects of oxidation. The measurement is compared with a reference length for chronological age, sex, and ethnicity.

Shortening is a completely natural physiological process. However, its acceleration can be a signal of either premature aging or the possible onset of diseases.

Therefore, the information provided by the test can be useful to prevent the premature development of age-related problems, considering the possibility of making lifestyle changes regarding all determining factors (physical activity, stress, diet, obesity, sleep, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, presence of diseases, etc.). Additionally, the test provides useful indications for possible dietary supplementation.

To obtain an estimate of the rate of telomere shortening, it is advisable to repeat the test after 12-18 months.

A slowdown in the rate of shortening is a positive indicator of an improvement in lifestyle, control of glycation, and sugar-related inflammation (measurable via GlycoTest) or food (measurable via Recaller 2.0).

The analysis is performed through the collection of capillary blood via self-sampling, and the dried blood sample is sent to and analysed at the GEK laboratory, currently located at the University of Tor Vergata in Rome, which ensures high quality standards.