While conventional neurology may focus on symptom suppression, functional labs like those offered by Vibrant Wellness can help identify modifiable drivers in these areas.
ALS often involves a combination of:
- Glutamate excitotoxicity
- Mitochondrial dysfunction
- Oxidative stress
- Neuroinflammation
- Environmental toxicant exposure
- Nutrient imbalances
- Genetic/epigenetic vulnerabilities
None of these tests will diagnose ALS or reverse it — but they can uncover imbalances that may be accelerating progression or adding to the patient’s burden, and potentially improve quality of life when addressed.
1. Neural Zoomer Plus
- Purpose: Screens for neural-specific autoantibodies and inflammatory triggers.
- What to look for:
- Autoantibodies against neurofilament proteins, myelin basic protein (MBP), and synaptic components
- Markers of blood-brain barrier integrity (e.g., S100B, occludin)
- Glutamate receptor antibodies (important in excitotoxicity)
- Why it matters: If neuroinflammation or autoimmunity is a component in this patient’s ALS phenotype, Neural Zoomer may reveal ongoing immune activity that could be modified (e.g., via immune modulation, diet, etc.).
2. Micronutrient Test (Micronutrients Panel or Vibrant America’s NutriPro Panel)
- Purpose: Identifies deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, and fatty acids.
- Key nutrients of interest in ALS:
- B vitamins, especially B1, B6, B12 (neurotransmitter function & myelination)
- Vitamin D, Vitamin E (antioxidants)
- Magnesium, Zinc, Selenium (neuroprotection, glutathione synthesis)
- CoQ10, L-carnitine, Glutathione (mitochondrial health)
- Omega-3/6 ratios (anti-inflammatory signaling)
3. Total Tox Burden
- Purpose: Screens for exposure to environmental toxicants that may be neurotoxic.
- Key categories:
- Heavy metals (lead, mercury, aluminum)
- Persistent organic pollutants (e.g., pesticides)
- Mold-related mycotoxins
- Why it matters: There is evidence linking toxicant exposure to neurodegeneration, and ALS patients often have reduced detoxification capacity.
4. Gut Zoomer or Organic Acids Test
- Rationale: The gut-brain axis is increasingly recognized in neurodegenerative disease.
- Key markers:
- Yeast/fungal overgrowth
- Dysbiosis and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
- Short-chain fatty acid production (e.g., butyrate)
- Intestinal permeability markers
- Why it matters: Chronic GI inflammation and endotoxemia can increase neuroinflammation.
5. Methylation Panel
- Purpose: Evaluate genetic vulnerabilities in methylation (e.g., MTHFR, COMT).
- Why it matters: Epigenetics can guide personalized interventions.