This comprehensive stool and digestive analysis test is useful for:
- Gastrointestinal Symptoms
- Autoimmune Disease
- IBD/IBS
- Inflammation
- Food Sensitivities
- Nutritional Deficiencies
- Joint Pain
Impairment of intestinal function can contribute to the development of food allergies, systemic illnesses, autoimmune disease, and toxic overload from substances that are usually kept in the confines of the bowel for elimination. Many things can compromise the gastrointestinal barrier and affect the health of the whole body, including pathogenic bacteria, yeast, parasites, bacterial overgrowth, deficient beneficial gut bacteria, and chronic poor digestion of food.
Cornerstones of good health include proper digestion of food, assimilation of nutrients, removal of pathogens, timely elimination of stool, and the lack of intestinal inflammation.
The Comprehensive Stool Analysis with Parasitology x1, 2, or 3 is an invaluable non-invasive diagnostic assessment that objectively evaluates the status of beneficial bacteria, imbalanced commensal bacteria, pathogenic bacteria, yeast/fungus, and parasites. It also measures key markers of digestion, absorption and inflammation.
Pathogenic bacteria are precisely identified, then tested against specific natural agents (botanical medicine) and specific antibiotics (pharmaceutical medicine), so as best to determine the course of effective therapy.
Gastrointestinal digestion and absorption is determined by measuring elastase (to confirm or rule out exocrine pancreatic insufficiency), fat stain, muscle fibres, vegetable fibres and carbohydrates.
Gastrointestinal inflammation is determined by measuring the markers lactoferrin and calprotectin to help differentiate organic inflammation as found in IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) from functional symptoms as seen in IBS. Monitoring levels of fecal lactoferrin and calprotectin can play an essential role in determining the effectiveness of therapy, and are good predictors of IBD remission and low risk of relapse.
The immune health of the gut is assessed by the measurement of secretory IgA (sIgA). Secretory IgA represents the first line of defence of the GI mucosa and is central to the normal function of the GI tract as an immune barrier. Elevated levels of sIgA have been associated with an up-regulated immune response.
Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are also measured and they are the end product of the bacterial fermentation process of dietary fibre by beneficial flora. They also play an important role in the health of the gut as well as protecting against intestinal dysbiosis. Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria produce large amounts of short chain fatty acids, which decrease the pH of the intestines and therefore make the environment unsuitable for pathogens, including bacteria and yeast. SCFAs decrease inflammation, stimulate healing, and contribute to normal cell metabolism and differentiation.
Other intestinal health markers measured, include red blood cells, pH, and occult blood.