COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 563
Clinical Significance of Array 14
The expanded testing provided by Array 14 offers several clinical
advantages over conventional immune assessment:
Early Detection of Immune Dysfunction
Mucosal immune dysregulation often precedes systemic immune
dysfunction by months or even years [8]. By the time blood tests
show abnormalities or clinical symptoms emerge, the immune
dysregulation process has typically progressed significantly. Array
14 allows practitioners to identify immune reactivity at its earliest
stages, creating a critical window for preventive intervention [9].
Insight into Barrier Function
Secretory IgA levels and reactivity patterns provide valuable
information about the integrity of mucosal barriers [10]. These
barriers serve as critical interfaces between the external
environment and the body's internal systems. Their compromise
can lead to increased permeability ("leaky gut," "leaky gums," or
"leaky sinuses"), allowing environmental antigens greater access to
the systemic circulation [11].
Understanding of Immune Tolerance
One of the primary functions of the mucosal immune system is
maintaining oral tolerance4the ability to recognize harmless
substances like food proteins and commensal bacteria without
mounting inflammatory responses [12]. Array 14 provides insight
into whether this tolerance mechanism is functioning properly or
breaking down, which has significant implications for food
sensitivity, autoimmunity, and chronic inflammation [13].
Value of Saliva Testing
Saliva offers several advantages as a testing medium for mucosal
immunity [14]:
Non-invasive Collection
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