30. Oct 2024
ToxiPlex: Advanced Mycotoxin Diagnostics to Prevent Chronic Health Damage
Mycotoxins are toxic metabolic byproducts of molds found in food and the environment. These toxins can cause serious health problems when they enter the human body. Despite efforts to reduce contamination, up to 80% of global food production remains affected by mycotoxins. The innovative ToxiPlex test enables precise analysis of five of the most dangerous mycotoxins directly from blood serum, offering valuable insights into exposure levels and residual toxins in the body.
Clinical Background: Symptoms of Chronic Mycotoxin Exposure
Chronic mycotoxin exposure can lead to a wide range of symptoms depending on the toxin type, dose, and duration of exposure. Common symptoms include:
Cognitive Symptoms:
- Attention deficit (ADD), concentration problems
- Memory loss and cognitive impairment
- Mood swings, depression, anxiety
Neurological Symptoms:
- Headaches, dizziness, insomnia
- Seizures, neuropathies (numbness, tingling)
Gastrointestinal Symptoms:
- Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, leaky gut syndrome
- Nutrient absorption issues, especially linked to deoxynivalenol
Respiratory Symptoms:
- Chronic sinusitis, cough, asthma, frequent lung infections
Hormonal and Metabolic Dysregulation:
- Thyroid dysfunction, menstrual irregularities
- Infertility due to hormone imbalances caused by zearalenone
Immunological and Autoimmune Symptoms:
- Immune system weakening, frequent infections
- Autoimmune diseases promoted by immunotoxic mycotoxins like ochratoxin A
These symptoms vary depending on the type of mycotoxin, with aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol, fumonisin, ochratoxin A, and zearalenone among the most hazardous and widespread.
Associated Autoimmune and Metabolic Disorders
Chronic mycotoxin exposure can lead to immediate symptoms and promote long-term autoimmune and metabolic diseases:
Autoimmune Diseases:
Studies indicate that mycotoxins like ochratoxin A and aflatoxin B1 influence the immune system and inflammatory processes, increasing the risk of autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
Metabolic Disorders:
Mycotoxins like zearalenone can disrupt hormone balance, leading to estrogen-like effects that increase the risk of hormonal disorders and metabolic diseases like diabetes. Mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol and fumonisin also show immunosuppressive effects, impairing the immune system and increasing susceptibility to infections.
Benefits of Mycotoxin Testing from Blood vs. Urine Samples
A critical advantage of blood serum testing is that it detects mycotoxins still circulating in the body, which are potentially harmful. Urine samples, however, primarily show mycotoxins the body has already excreted, reflecting past exposure without indicating the current toxic load.
Blood serum testing is particularly valuable, providing a comprehensive view of mycotoxin load and compensating for daily fluctuations in toxin intake. This makes the ToxiPlex test a more precise and reliable method for diagnosing chronic exposure.
New: ToxiPlex Now Available with Tasso Remote-Kit
We are pleased to announce that the ToxiPlex test is now available through the Tasso Remote-Kit, enabling simple, pain-free blood sampling from home without a lab visit. The sample is collected with the Tasso kit and sent directly to our lab, providing reliable results in a short time. This addition significantly simplifies diagnostics, ensuring high accuracy and convenience from the comfort of your home.
Diagnostics: The ToxiPlex Test
The ToxiPlex test offers a unique, precise, and rapid diagnosis of mycotoxin load. It is the first test of its kind, designed to simultaneously detect five of the most common harmful mycotoxins: aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol, fumonisin, ochratoxin A, and zearalenone.
Compared to other tests, the ToxiPlex test provides significant advantages:
- Lower Detection Limits and Reduced Cross-Reactivity:
With high accuracy (≥ 93%) and a detection limit from 0.15 ppb to 19.53 ppb. - Quick Processing and Simple Sample Handling:
The test is optimized for serum samples that do not need to be frozen, with results ready within 7-10 days of sample receipt. - Serum-Based Measurement:
Unlike urine tests, which only capture excreted mycotoxins, the ToxiPlex test measures mycotoxins still in the body, providing a clearer picture of current toxic load. Since it compensates for daily toxin intake variations, no 24-hour collection is required. - Standardized and Cost-Effective Process:
Integrated into routine lab procedures, ToxiPlex offers fair pricing with high reliability. - Clear Laboratory Findings and Support:
ArminLabs' medical team is available for result interpretation to better understand each mycotoxin's health risks.
A complete scientific article describing the test's analytical validation has been published and is freely accessible: Published Article.
Through these innovative features, the ToxiPlex test enables accurate diagnosis of mycotoxin exposure, supporting targeted therapeutic measures to prevent long-term damage.