LRA Food 96

Description

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Specimen Type: Kit Based - Blood Draw
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Overview:
The Lymphocyte Response Assay (LRA) by ELISA/ACT®, developed by ELISA/ACT Biotechnologies LLC (EAB), makes it possible to examine the general health of a patient’s immune system by monitoring delayed hypersensitivity responses to over 500 common substances. The tests identify reactive substances, which may be provoking the patient’s chronic condition. Patients are also provided a personalized treatment plan to help eliminate these sensitivities and restore overall health. One of the major advancements in medicine in recent years has been our expanded understanding of the immune system and its far broader and more important role in general health and wellness. Initially, it was thought that our immune system was only involved in defending our bodies against threatening agents such as bacteria, viruses, and environmental “invaders”. Medical science has now come to recognize that the immune system has defense as well as repair capabilities. The defense component of the immune system fights off the “invaders” that create disease, while the repair component plays an important role in restoring tissue and organs from damage that the disease state may have caused. If either the defense or repair function becomes overburdened or overstressed, immune dysfunction and disease may result. Recent studies have shown that when the defense elements or lymphocytes (type of white blood cells) of the immune system are burdened due to the effects of foreign antigens, the vital repair process suffers. Organs and tissue weaken over time, and the body’s ability to fight off future assaults is reduced. The effect of immune system dysfunction can result in chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases that often defy treatment. The most common assaults that pose the greatest burden to our immune system on a daily basis are digestive remnants and environmental antigens. By identifying these antigens and eliminating them from our exposure, the immune burden can be reduced or eliminated, allowing the defense and repair systems to return to optimal function. The result is improved, sustainable health.

How Is LRA by ELISA/ACT® Testing Unique?

LRA by ELISA/ACT® tests are the first and only blood tests that provide a complete evaluation LRA Testimonials of the body’s delayed immune response. A special blood drawing system, combined with simple patient test preparation instructions, prevents activation of lymphocytes prior to analysis. ELISA/ACT receives the patient’s one-ounce blood sample within 24 hours and analyzes it promptly. LRA by ELISA/ACT® tests are: Comprehensive- The only test that detects all 3 delayed allergy pathways (Type II, Type III, and Type IV) and offers the most items for testing. Functional- Identifying only symptomprovoking reactive substances, not merely the presence of antibodies, which can be harmful or protective. Ex-vivo- The unique ex-vivo system tests the lymphocytes as though they are still in the bloodstream being exposed to foreign invaders, thereby, providing highly specific and accurate information. This complete assessment of delayed reactions is useful to patients & practitioners in developing a cost-effective, individualized treatment plan to improve the patient’s overall health. LRA by ELISA/ACT® vs Other Delayed Allergy Tests LRA by ELISA/ACT® tests: LRA tests look directly at lymphocytes and only those items that cause reactions are identified. LRA vs Antibody tests (IgG, IgG4): IgG tests measure the presence and amount of antibodies to certain items. By not distinguishing between symptom-provoking (harmful) and protective (helpful) antibodies however, these tests produce many false positives, making it more difficult for patients to comply with the program. In contrast, the LRA by ELISA/ACT® method identifies only reactive lymphocytes, providing the most accurate and specific results possible. LRA vs Cytotoxic (or Cell Size) Tests: Cytotoxic or cell size tests use a device to detect and count particles in the blood that are over a particular size (10 microns). Unfortunately, reactive lymphocytes are not the only particles that are detected using this method; therefore, the method produces low accuracy and reproducibility. The LRA by ELISA/ACT® tests report on observable lymphocyte reactions only, producing accurate, specific and reproducible results.