Most clients come to me with persistent digestive issues, like bloating, gas, abdominal pain, constipation, etc., I want to let everyone know that I offer a comprehensive stool study that includes DNA testing, it's called Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus (GI-MAP™). I can do these tests remotely or at the office.  Read the following and if you would like to have this test done, let me know and I will provide more details.

 

The GI-MAP tests for amounts of good and bad bacteria, H. Pylori, Candida, and other parasites in a stool sample, and in addition, measures leakage due to leaky gut syndrome. It is an improvement on previously standard techniques which relied on culturing a bacteria sample, as, unlike a culture, GI-MAP is able to detect species of bacteria that cannot grow under normal conditions.

 

What Is GI-MAP Testing And What Can It Do For Me?

 

GI MAP is a test to determine what microbes are in a patient's stool sample, and in what quantities. It works by repeatedly copying any DNA in the sample and then analyzing what and how much DNA it finds. It is able to find germs in amounts as low as one cell per 10 grams. It is also very good at finding parasites, which is very important because it is estimated that up to one in four American adults lives with a parasite such as H. Pylori. Many are unaware of it.

 

A medical practitioner can spot problems in a patient’s gut flora with this test. For example, certain organisms which are common in healthy individuals, such as Candida, can cause health problems if they are in excess. This is a condition known as dysbiosis. Candida in particular can cause many chronic issues, such as fatigue, lethargy, rashes, joint pains, constipation, and diarrhea, among others.

 

The GI-MAP also measures certain non-microbial factors. It measures levels of certain immune system and digestive proteins which are considered to be especially good signs of digestive function and gastrointestinal health. Too much or too little of these proteins can be a sign of a range of gut issues, such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease or Leaky Gut Syndrome. Leaky Gut Syndrome is an especially important part of the test, as it is common but poorly understood by modern medicine. It is a problem with the lining of the intestines which lets germs and undigested food into the bloodstream and can cause bloating, gas, cramps, and food sensitivities.

 

What Can The GI-MAP Be Used For?

 

A GI-MAP test provides practitioners and patients an overview of the entire gut biome. By itself, it only catalogs what living things are in a patient’s digestive tract. In turn, though, a knowledgeable healthcare provider can use that information to make a comprehensive wellness plan. The GI-MAP is valuable in diagnosing specific illnesses in certain cases, but its true value comes from what it can tell us about our overall health. The digestive system plays a very large role in overall well-being, one that medicine is only beginning to understand. The GI-MAP can tell a lot about gut health, and from gut health, we can learn a lot about overall wellness.

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