Intestinal permeability measurement, PEG 400 test

Why testing intestinal permeability is important?

Testing the intestinal permeability is key to assess health, progression of existing diseases and assess expected medical risks. The reason behind the importance of this test is that the dysfunction of biological membranes play a crucial role in the development and progression of chronic medical conditions. Intestinal permeability is a real and measurable biological phenomenon whose importance has long been recognized and documented in science. The scientific literature records several types of test methods whose utility, reliability and relevance significantly differ from each other.

What is the difference between the PEG400 test and other intestinal permeability tests?

There is only one method out of all known intestinal permeability tests, which is exact, reliable and clinically relevant. This is the PEG 400 test developed by Chadwick and colleagues. This is the test method which in addition to being most reliable provides the most information. We have furthered the methodology by Chadwick and colleagues and apply it at our laboratory at the Applied Chemistry Department, Debrecen Medical University, Hungary.

What is a biological membrane?

Biological membranes are present at several organizational levels in the human body. This, for example, include the mucosa or membranes that form the outer boundary of internal organs. The membrane in these cases is made up of a single row of cells.

What are the functions of the biological membranes?

1. Barrier function: separating the body from the external environment and separating internal spaces
2. Regulating transmembrane transport of substances
3. Regulating cell-to-cell communication
4. Anchoring cells and tissues
5. Modulating immune functions

Testing for intestinal permeability. And beyond?

Since biological membranes are present at sevaral locations throughout the body, testing of these membranes one-by-one is either too complicated technically or infeasable. In reality, it is only the membrane of the intestine that can be tested. Nevertheless, testing intestinal permeability of the intestine also provides indirect information on the functioning of the other biological membranes such as the placenta, the blood-brain barrier, the kidney filtration membrane and the membranes of the alveoli in the lung. Testing for intestinal permeability also provides indirect information on the permeability of the mitochondrial membranes. Thus testing for intestinal permeability provides information on the membrane permeability overall in the body thereby reflecting health condition on the individual, providing warning signs or reassurance.

What questions can be answered by the PEG400 test?

1. Is there a risk for allergic diseases? How high is the risk?
2. Is there a risk for an anaphylactic reaction and shock?
3. Is there a risk for systemic-level inflammation (which may remain undetected by conventional lab testing)?
4. Is there a risk for developing metastases in cancer?
5. Is there a risk for developing autoimmune diseases?
6. Is there a risk associated with prescription and OTC drug?
7. The test is also suitable to monitor the effectivity of a given diet.

What are the major factors that influence intestinal membranes specifically and membrane functions overall in the body?

1. Food items
2. Recreational substances: alcohol, tea, coffee and drugs
3. Medicinal products and dietary supplements

How to carry out the test?

After placing your order, we will send you by post the PEG400 test kit. The PEG 400 test material contains a mix of 11 different PEG molecule sizes. The PEG 400 is a inert substance which means that it does not react with any other substances, and, therefore, cannot cause an allergic reaction. The PEG 400 is suitable for the testing of children and expecting mothers. The tested person will have to drink the test substance, and then the urine needs to be collected, and a small sample of the collected urine have to be send back to our laboratory for analyses. Please allow 21 to 28 days to perform the laboratory analyses. The relatively long analysis time is due to the complex preparation of the sample which is a critical step. The test result will be chemically and clinically validated and will be sent to you by email. This is how you will receive the result via email.

Should I do one or two PEG 400 tests?

In case you are about to change your diet, it makes sense to perform two tests (for a before-after comparison). In case you are not willing to change your diet you are on, one test may be enough

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