1) Heavy Metals

Heavy metal toxicity is under-represented as a root cause of illness and disease in humans, is thought to affect over 1 million individuals annually, and can affect virtually all biological systems within the human body

• Heavy metals may be the root cause of common neurological disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, autoimmune diseases, and disorders associated with increased oxidative stress and cellular dysfunction

• Due to the ability of many heavy metals to deplete critical nutrients such as antioxidants and minerals, the Vibrant Heavy Metals test should be run alongside a Vibrant Micronutrient panel, to assess both intra- and extracellular levels of commonly affected nutrients

• Populations at greater risk of heavy metal toxicity include developing fetuses, children, and the immunocompromised, as well as individuals with impaired liver function and reduced antioxidant activity

• Heavy metals are present in all regions of the United States, and can accumulate in air, soil, and drinking or ground water sources in and around concentrated sources of heavy metals from industrial production or pollution

• Some professions and hobbies are at greater risk of heavy metal toxicity, including fuel, munitions, painting, rubber manufacturing, industrial smelting, mining, photographic processing, agriculture, semiconductors, welding, and waste or radioactive waste disposal sites

• The World Health Organization (WHO) considers 13 heavy metals of significance to human and environmental health: arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, mercury, manganese, nickel, lead, tin, and titanium, however, there are other metals and metalloids that may be significant causes of health problems in humans

The Vibrant Heavy Metals test is a urine-based test to screen for 20 of the most common heavy metals known to accumulate and cause adverse health effects in the human body. This test can be taken either provoked or non-provoked. Discuss with your healthcare provider which option is best for you and consult a trained healthcare provider before attempting any heavy metal provocation protocols.

Markers Measured:

• Beryllium

• Aluminum

• Nickel

• Arsenic

• Palladium

• Cadmium

• Antimony

• Tin

• Tellurium

• Cesium

• Barium

• Gadolinium

• Tungsten

• Platinum

• Mercury

• Lead

• Thallium

• Bismuth

• Thorium

• Uranium

Conditions and Symptoms Associated with heavy metal toxicity include:

• Neurological symptoms:

• cognitive decline, memory loss, ataxia, tremors, numbness, tingling, neuropathy, myopathy, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, paralysis, and Parkinson’s disease, tinnitus, irritability

• Respiratory symptoms:

• Lung disease, lung cancer, breathing problems, respiratory distress, pneumonia

• Cardiovascular and hematological symptoms:

• Anemia, RBC abnormalities, hypertension, low blood pressure, hypokalemia, edema, cancers of the blood

• Gastrointestinal symptoms:

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, reduced absorption of nutrients (particularly minerals), dry mouth, metallic taste, pancreatic cancer

• Skeletal and bone-related symptoms:

• Osteoporosis, reduced bone mineral density

• Dermatological symptoms:

• Dermatitis, eczema, dry skin, sweating, skin lesions, hyperpigmentation, hair loss, allergic skin reactions

• Renal and hepatic symptoms:

• Renal failure, elevated liver enzymes, hepatic damage, hepatic failure, suppressed hepatic detoxification, elevated hepatic enzymes

• Reproductive symptoms:

• Infertility, difficulty conceiving, birth defects, miscarriage

2) Mycotoxins

The Vibrant Mycotoxins test is a urine-based assay for 31 of the most common mycotoxins produced by molds to which humans are exposed. This test is measured on mass spectrometry, using Vibrant’s patent-pending proprietary technology, to produce the most accurate and clinically relevant assessment of difficult-to-detect toxins that can cause serious disease in humans. Vibrant is able to detect mycotoxins, small molecules, as small as 5 pcg, which greatly expands the number of available mycotoxins detected.

Individuals most at risk for mycotoxin exposure include those who live or work in older buildings, those who have known exposure to water-damaged buildings, and those with impaired immune responses or higher levels of oxidative stress.

Mycotoxins complicate human health in a number of ways and their presence in the human body can lead to a number of serious health concerns, including autoimmune disease and cancer.

Markers Measured:

• Aflatoxin M1

• Ochratoxin A

• Sterigmatocystin

• Zearalenone

• Roridin E(Trichothecenes)

• Verrucarin A (Trichothecenes)

• Enniatin B1

• Fumonisins B1

• Fumonisins B2

• Fumonisins B3

• Citrinin

• Patulin

• Aflatoxin B1

• Aflatoxin B2

• Aflatoxin G1

• Aflatoxin G2

• Deoxynivalenol

• Gliotoxin

• Mycophenolic Acid

• Dihydrocitrinone

• Chaetoglobosin A

• Nivalenol (NIV)

• Diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS)

• T-2 toxin (rare)

• Satratoxin G (Trichothecenes)

• Satratoxin H (Trichothecenes)

• Isosatratoxin F (Trichothecenes)

• Roridin A (Trichothecenes)

• Roridin H (Trichothecenes)

• Roridin L-2 (Trichothecenes)

• Verrucarin J (Trichothecenes)

Symptoms of mycotoxin exposure include:

• Fatigue and weakness

• Chronic burning in the throat and nasal passages

• Coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath

• Loss of balance

• Depression and/or anxiety

• Skin rashes

• Eye irritation or tearing of the eyes

• Headache and/or light sensitivity

• Hearing loss

• Heightened sensitivity to chemicals and foods

• Irregular heartbeat

• Morning stiffness and/or joint pain

• Muscle weakness

• Sleep problems

• Poor memory, difficulty finding words

• Slower reaction time

• Vision changes

• Difficulty concentrating

• Abdominal pain, diarrhea, and/or bloating

• Unusual skin sensations, tingling, and numbness

• Increased urinary frequency or increased thirst

• Disorientation and/or dizziness

• Static shocks or metallic taste in the mouth

3) Environmental toxins are substances produced endogenously from the human body and which, when absorbed, inhaled, or ingested, can cause acute or chronic toxic overload, which may manifest in a variety of biological organ, tissue, and cellular-level systems.

• Environmental toxins are cancer-causing chemicals and endocrine disruptors, both human-made and naturally occurring.

• Susceptibility to toxic overload varies person-to-person, and can be affected by a variety of factors including:

  • Genetics

  • Environment

  • Diet

  • Liver and kidney health

  • Microbiome composition and diversity

  • Age

  • Adiposity

  • Gender

  • Lifestyle

  • Immune system capacity

• Vibrant Environmental Toxin Panel uses the most advanced mass spectrometry method to assess 39 different markers to assess environmental toxins in one urine specimen.

• Individuals who have been affected by an excess of environmental toxins may experience symptoms and conditions, such as:

  • Fatigue and weakness

  • Chronic burning in the throat and nasal passages

  • Coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath

  • Loss of balance

  • Depression and/or anxiety

  • Dizziness

  • Eye irritation

  • Headache, light sensitivity

  • Hearing loss

  • Heightened sensitivity to chemicals and foods

  • Irregular heartbeat

  • Morning stiffness and/or joint pain

  • Mood swings

  • Muscle weakness

  • Skin rashes

  • Sleep problems

  • Slower reaction time

  • Vision changes

  • Poor memory, difficulty finding words

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Unusual skin sensations, tingling and numbness

  • Increased urinary frequency or increased thirst

  • Abdominal pain, diarrhea, and/or bloating

  • Tearing, disorientation, metallic taste in mouth

  • Static shocks