Benefits of doing a Comprehensive Gut Analysis

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A comprehensive gut analysis provides valuable insights into the balance of your gut microbiome, helping to identify imbalances, infections, or inflammation that may be affecting your health. By analysing key markers such as beneficial bacteria, harmful pathogens, digestive function, and markers of gut permeability, the test can guide personalised dietary and lifestyle changes to improve digestion, boost immunity, and enhance overall well-being.

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PATHOGENS

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Bacterial, parasitic and viral pathogens commonly cause gastroenteritis. Not all individuals with positive findings will present with symptoms. These pathogens normally clear on their own particularly when the infection is mild and you have a robust immune system. The body’s immune system can often recognise and eliminate pathogens through innate immune responses (e.g., phagocytosis by white blood cells) and adaptive immune responses (e.g., the production of antibodies).

 

However, some pathogens have developed unique mechanisms that allow them to survive and thrive in the gut. These pathogens can withstand the acidic stomach environment, evade the immune system, form protective layers that stick to the gut wall, produce toxins that can damage the gut lining as well as compete for nutrients that can cause an imbalance in gut bacteria.

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BACTERIAL PATHOGENS

 

Analytes:

• Campylobacter

• C. difficile Toxin A

• C. difficile Toxin B

• Enterohemorrhagic E. coli

• E. coli O157

• Enteroinvasive E. coli/Shigella

• Enterotoxigenic E. coli LT/ST

• Shiga-like Toxin E. coli stx1

• Shiga-like Toxin E. coli stx2

• Salmonella

• Vibro cholerae

• Yersinia enterocolitica

• H. pylori

  • Virulence Factor, babA

  • Virulence Factor, cagA

  • Virulence Factor, dupA

  • Virulence Factor, iceA

  • Virulence Factor, oipA

  • Virulence Factor, vacA

  • Virulence Factor, virB

  • Virulence Factor, virD

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PARASITIC PATHOGENS

 

Analytes:

• Cryptosporidium

• Entamoeba histolytica

• Giardia

 

VIRAL PATHOGENS

 

Analytes:

• Adenovirus 40/41

• Norovirus GI

• Norovirus GII

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COMMENSAL BACTERIA

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Commensal bacteria are microorganisms that live naturally within the human body, particularly in the gut, where they perform essential functions. These bacteria help with the digestion of food, the synthesis of important vitamins (like B vitamins and vitamin K), and contribute to the metabolism of nutrients.

 

They also play a key role in protecting against harmful pathogens by outcompeting them for resources and producing substances that inhibit pathogen growth. Commensals also help train the immune system, promoting a balanced immune response and preventing excessive inflammation.

 

Additionally, they produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, acetate, and propionate, which nourish the cells of the gut lining, supporting gut integrity and reducing the risk of gut disorders. When too low, commensal bacteria lead to dysbiosis, inflammation, increased pathogen susceptibility, and metabolic disorders. When too high, they may contribute to opportunistic infections, endotoxin release, and gut inflammation.

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Analytes:

• Akkermansia Mucinophilia

• Bacteroides fragilis

• Bifidobacterium spp.

• Clostridia (class)

• Enterobacter spp.

• Enterococcus spp.

• Escherichia spp.

• Faecalbacterium prausnitzii

• Lactobacillus spp.

 

BACTERIAL PHYLA

 

Analytes:

• Bacteroidetes

• Firmicutes

• Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes Ratio

 

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OPPORTUNITIC AND OVERGROWTH BACTERIA

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Many bacteria are considered opportunistic pathogens, as they only cause dysbiosis in some individuals, particularly the immune-compromised. Many individuals come into contact with opportunistic bacteria and experience no symptoms. Most sources consider these microbes to be normal in the stool. However, they can cause gastroenteritis and inflammation at high levels in vulnerable people. Symptoms may include diarrhoea, loose stools, abdominal pain, or even constipation. Overgrowth and excessive colonisation by opportunistic bacteria may occur when the commensal bacteria are impaired by poor diet, antibiotic use, parasitic infection, or a weakened immune system.

 

When intestinal permeability is present (see Zonulin below), these microbes could escape the lumen of the gut and infect extraintestinal sites. Opportunistic and overgrowth bacteria play a significant role in amplifying both local and systemic inflammation, setting the stage for autoimmune reactions. Their ability to trigger both inflammatory and immune responses is why maintaining a balanced microbiome is crucial for overall health.

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DYSBIOTIC & OVERGROWTH BACTERIA

 

Analytes:​

• Bacillus spp.

• Enterococcus faecalis

• Enterococus faecium

• Morganella spp.

• Pseudomonas spp.

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa

• Staphylococcus spp.

• Staphylococcus aeureus

• Streptococcus spp.

• Methanobacteriaceae (family)

 

POTENTIAL AUTOIMMUNE TRIGGERS

 

Analytes:

• Citrobacter spp.

• Citrobacter freundii

• Fusobacterium spp.

• Klebsiella spp.

• Klebsiella pneumoniae

• Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis

• Prevotella spp.

• Proteus spp.

• Proteus mirabilis

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FUNGI/YEAST

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Fungi and yeast in the gut, such as Candida albicans, are typically harmless, but they can become opportunistic pathogens when the balance of the gut microbiota is disrupted (dysbiosis). Factors like antibiotic use, poor diet, immunosuppression, and stress can trigger overgrowth. This can lead to various health issues, including gut infections, leaky gut syndrome, chronic inflammation, systemic infections, and the risk of developing autoimmune diseases.

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Analytes:

• Candida albicans

• Candida spp.

• Geotricum spp.

• Microsporidia spp.

• Rhodoturula spp.

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OPPORTUNISTIC VIRUSES

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Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are considered opportunistic viruses because they typically cause infections in individuals with weakened or compromised immune systems. In healthy individuals with a well-functioning immune system, these viruses usually remain dormant, causing no symptoms or health issues. However, when the immune system is weakened these viruses can reactivate and cause health problems.

 

Analytes:

• CMV- Cytomegalovirus

• EBV- Epstein Bar Virus

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PARASITES

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While some protozoa play neutral or even beneficial roles, others can cause discomfort, particularly in compromised gut environments (dysbiosis, weakened immunity) Identifying and understanding their roles is crucial in assessing gut health.

 

Analytes:

• Blastocystis hominis

• Chilomastix mesnelli

• Cyclospora spp.

• Dientamoeba fragilis

• Endolimax nana

• Entamoeba coli

• Pentatrichomonas hominis

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WORMS

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Intestinal helminths (parasitic worms) are multicellular organisms that infect the human gastrointestinal tract. Unlike bacteria and protozoa, helminths do not replicate within the host but rely on transmission through eggs or larvae in contaminated food, water, or soil. Some helminths may exhibit mild, asymptomatic infections, while others may cause health concerns.

 

Analytes:

• Ancyclostroma duodenale

• Ascaris lumbricoides

• Necator americanis

• Trichuris trichiura

• Taenia spp.

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DIGESTION

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Both bile acids and digestive enzymes are essential for the breakdown and absorption of food. Without them, the body cannot efficiently access the nutrients needed for energy, growth, and immune function. Their dysfunction or insufficiency leads to malabsorption, nutrient deficiencies, digestive distress, and a range of other health problems.

 

Analytes:

• Elastase-1 (pancreatic insufficiency)

• Steatocrit (bile salt insufficiency) 

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GI MARKERS

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β-glucuronidase is an enzyme that is found in various tissues in the body, especially in the liver, kidneys, and gut. It plays an essential role in detoxification and metabolism but can also contribute to hormonal imbalances and toxicity when its activity is dysregulated, particularly in the gut microbiota.

 

Occult blood (FIT), which refers to hidden or invisible blood in the stool, can be high for a number of reasons. The Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) detects human haemoglobin in stool, which can indicate bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.

 

Analytes:

• ß-Glucuronidase

• Occult Blood - FIT

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IMMUNE RESPONSE

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Secretory IgA (sIgA) plays a crucial role in immune defence by protecting the gut lining from pathogens and preventing infection. It is the first line of defence against harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi within the gut. Anti-Gliadin SIgA is a specific antibody produced in response to gliadin, a protein found in gluten. It plays a role in identifying and neutralising gliadin, which can trigger immune responses in individuals with gluten sensitivity or Celiac disease. Elevated EDN/EPX levels indicate activation of eosinophils (white blood cells), often in response to inflammation, allergens, or parasitic infections.

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Analytes:

• SIgA

• Anti-gliadin SIgA

• Eosinophil Activation Protein (EDN/EPX)

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INFLAMMATION

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High levels of calprotectin in stool can indicate inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Calprotectin is a protein found in white blood cells, specifically neutrophils, and is released during inflammatory processes.

 

Analyte:

• Calprotectin

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PERMEABILITY 'LEAKY GUT'

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Both high zonulin and gluten peptides can significantly affect the intestinal barrier function, leading to increased gut permeability, inflammation, and potentially contributing to various chronic health issues

 

Analytes:

• Zonulin

• Gluten Peptide

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