COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 507
[5] Vojdani A. Serological Testing for Food Allergies, Sensitivities,
and Intolerances. Altern Ther Health Med. 2004;10(5):32-39.
[6] de Meij TG, Budding AE, de Groot EF, et al. Composition and
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Comprehensive Guide to Cyrex Array 11: Chemical
Immune Reactivity Screen
Introduction: Chemical Exposures and Immune Dysfunction
Environmental chemical exposures represent a growing health
concern in modern society. While conventional toxicology has
focused primarily on direct cellular damage from chemicals,
emerging research indicates that many chemicals exert their most
significant health effects by disrupting immune function [1]. This
immune disruption can occur at exposure levels far below those
traditionally considered harmful through direct toxicity
mechanisms [2].
The interaction between environmental chemicals and the
immune system creates a complex pathway toward chronic
illness. When chemicals bind to human proteins, they create novel
molecular structures (neoantigens) that the immune system may
recognize as foreign [3]. This can trigger immune responses against
not only the chemical-protein complex but potentially against the
native protein itself, setting the stage for autoimmune reactivity
[4].
Traditional approaches to chemical testing focus simply on
detecting the presence of chemicals in blood, urine, or hair.
However, these methods fail to identify whether these chemicals
are actively triggering immune responses4a critical distinction, as
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