Oxidative stress is adversely involved in many pathophysiological processes, aging and cancer. Oxidation of DNA occurs readily at the guanosine bases, so measurement of 8-hydroxy-2'- Deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in urine provides a quantitative assessment of ongoing oxidative damage or stress in the body. When 8-OHdG levels are elevated, it's important to identify the sources of oxidative stress and assess the primary intracellular antioxidant glutathione. Taking steps to reduce oxidative stress is valuable in optimizing health and longevity. This non-invasive test requires a single first morning void (FMV) urine collection.

This test is useful for

• Oxidative Stress
• Metabolic Syndrome
• Alzheimer's Disease
• Atopic Dermatitis
• Cancer
• Chronic Hepatitis
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Diabetic Nephropathy
• Diabetic Retinopathy
• Environmental Exposure
• Huntington's Disease
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Pancreatitis
• Parkinson's Disease
• Rheumatoid Arthritis

Find out more

• View Sample Report

• Environmental Exposure and Detoxification Brochure

• Please contact us at (714) 864-3730 or pe@anti-fragilityhealth.com to order your test.

Environmental Exposure and Detoxification

Environmental chemical exposure has never been more pervasive with thousands of chemicals in use around the world. Many chemicals are integrated into our food supply, the air we breathe and the water we drink. Every day, we ingest small amounts of many chemicals and our bodies cannot metabolize and clear all of them. Chemicals not metabolized are stored in the fat cells throughout our bodies, where they continue to accumulate. As these chemicals build up they alter our metabolism, cause enzyme dysfunction and nutritional deficiencies, create hormonal imbalances, damage brain chemistry and can cause cancer. Because the chemicals accumulate in different parts of the body—at different rates and in different combinations—there are many different chronic illnesses that can result.

Doctor's Data offers a spectrum of tests designed to evaluate the exposure to environmental toxins, and assess the body's capacity for endogenous detoxification. Especially important for the latter category is the Plasma Methylation Profile.

Detailed Information

Urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is an excellent biomarker of oxidative stress and a risk factor for a variety of diseases, including cancer. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced as a result of normal oxygen metabolism or exposure to xenobiotics. Excessive levels are associated with oxidative damage to lipids, proteins and DNA. ROS-induced damage to nuclear and mitochondrial DNA occurs readily at the guanosine bases that are removed by DNA repair mechanisms and excreted in urine. 8-OHdG is the most frequently detected and studied oxidized nucleoside of DNA that is considered to be premutagenic due to its potential for initiation and promotion of carcinogenesis. Bladder and prostate cancers have been associated with elevated levels of 8-OHdG. Oxidative stress and ROS-induced elevations of 8-OHdG have been associated with numerous pathological processes including cystic fibrosis, atopic dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, pancreatitis, chronic hepatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and neurological diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's. Elevated levels of 8-OHdG also have been associated with hyperglycemia and have been positively correlated with HbA1c and the severity of nephropathy and retinopathy in diabetics. Environmental factors, lifestyle choices such as smoking and recreational drugs, and some pharmaceuticals have also been associated with elevated urine levels of 8-OHdG. Known environmental factors include exposure to ionizing radiation such as indoor radon, asbestos, toxic metals and metal fumes such as manganese, chromium and vanadium, diesel exhaust, benzene, styrene, toluene and zylenes. In grade school children exposure to toxic or carcinogenic metals released from coal-fired power plants as assessed by measurement of elements in urine was significantly correlated with urine levels of 8-OHdG. Moderately elevated levels of 8-OHdG have been associated with inadequate intake of carotenoids, antioxidant-rich foods and supplemental antioxidants. A finding of an elevated level of 8-OHdG in a first morning urine void warrants identification of the sources of oxidative stress/inflammation and assessment of the primary intracellular antioxidant glutathione. The efficacy of therapeutic intervention to ameliorate oxidative stress should be monitored by subsequent retesting of urine 8-OHdG and glutathione levels.

Before You Start:

Please read all of the directions, and familiarize yourself with the collection procedures.

The DNA Oxidative Damage assay requires a first morning void urine collection and the specimen must be frozen prior to shipment. Plan your collection so that you can ship the specimen the same day you collect it.

The test requires no special diet and you do not need to discontinue taking medications or dietary supplements, unless instructed otherwise by your physician. Never discontinue prescription medications without first consulting your physician.

More Instructions:

• Collection Instructions