Allergy test in this Zoomer is only available through serum and not available with Dried blood spot.

Lectins are a large class of sugar-binding proteins that can be found in all forms of life. In plants, lectins are part of the natural defense against microorganisms, pests, and insects. Although lectin has been considered a low-level toxin, many members of the lectin protein family can agglutinate (clump together) and become problematic for human health.

The most common potentially toxic lectin-containing food groups are:

• Grains (especially wheat but also rice, oats, rye, barley, and corn)
• Legumes (all dried beans, including soy and peanuts)
• Nightshades (includes potato, tomato, eggplant, and pepper)

Major harmful effects of dietary lectins are:

• Resistant to digestion – they can overfeed certain species of gut bacteria that feed on lectins which may lead to gut dysbiosis
• Damage of gut epithelial lining – lectins may damage intestinal barrier cells or open up the tight junctions between the cells, increasing the development of intestinal permeability, which may increase risk for autoimmunity.
• Stimulation of immune system – lectins can provoke antibodies causing inflammatory immune responses.

Human immune systems can react to food lectins and produce IgG and IgA antibodies. Detection of these antibodies can help manage eating habits (in consultation with a dietitian or healthcare provider) and reduce the risk of development of more serious conditions.

Symptoms and conditions associated with Lectin and/or Aquaporin sensitivity:

• Intestinal permeability (“leaky gut syndrome”) (bloating, gas, and abdominal cramps)
• Rheumatoid arthritis (painful and swollen joints)
• Allergies (watery eyes, sniffling, sinus congestion, throat tightness, and itchy skin, mouth or tongue)
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Mental health problems (e.g., depression)
• Skin rashes (redness and itchiness)
• Hormonal fluctuations
• Nausea
• Frequent use of antibiotics
• Following vegan/vegetarian diet
• Allergies
• Family history of autoimmune disorders, especially rheumatoid arthritis

What is a lectin and why should I test for them?

Lectins are a class of sugar-binding proteins that are largely present in plants. Evolutionarily, lectins serve as part of the defense mechanism of plants. They serve to “clump” or agglutinize. If a person is sensitive to a particular lectin, it can be problematic to human health because

1) Lectins are resistant to digestion and can overfeed certain species of gut bacteria leading to gut dysbiosis.

2) Many lectins have anti-nutrient effects and can damage the intestinal epithelial cells and open-up intestinal tight junctions, contributing to intestinal permeability.

3) Lectins can over-stimulate the immune system. If someone is sensitive to a particular food lectin, they will produce antibodies to that lectin which can cause an immune response and increase in inflammation.

What is an aquaporin and why should I test for them?

Aquaporins are “water channel” proteins that are found in cell wall membranes of many biological cells that help with the transport of water through the cell. Aquaporins are particularly concentrated in the central nervous system (CNS). Certain foods contain aquaporins that can have molecular mimicry with biological aquaporins and antibodies can cross react with CNS tissue. Thus, elevated antibodies to food aquaporins may be linked to neurological autoimmunity, inflammation, and associated symptoms.

Can I be positive for a particular food on the Vibrant Lectin Zoomer but negative for this Food on the Vibrant Food Sensitivity or vice versa?

Yes! Vibrant Food Sensitivity is measuring antibodies to whole food protein extracts. The Vibrant Lectin Zoomer tests antibodies specific to the lectin peptides within that food. Antigen/antibody binding is very specific, therefore, someone may produce antibodies to an entire food protein or only a single part of it (a peptide fragment in it).