Gut Markers

Akkermansia muciniphila is a beneficial gut bacterium, known for its role in maintaining intestinal mucosa and promoting a healthy gut lining. It's linked to positive metabolic and immune responses, playing a crucial part in gut health, weight management, and overall well-being....

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is a protein primarily produced by the liver, playing a key role in protecting the lungs and other organs from enzymes that can cause inflammation. In feces, measuring alpha-1 antitrypsin can help assess intestinal protein loss and inflammation, indicating gastrointestinal disorders like inflammatory bowel disease or protein-losing enteropathy....

Bile acids, essential for digesting fats, are produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Normally, they are reabsorbed into the body, but a portion ends up in stool. Analyzing bile acids in stool can help understand digestive health, especially in diagnosing malabsorption issues....

Calprotectin, a protein in white blood cells, indicates inflammation, especially in the gut. Testing calprotectin in feces shows how inflamed the intestines are. This helps diagnose and track inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. It also helps distinguish these from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which usually doesn't raise calprotectin levels....

Candida spp includes various yeast-like fungi affecting body parts like the gut and vagina. These infections often cause itching, discomfort, and discharge. They result from flora imbalance. In the gut, Candida spp can disrupt digestion. This leads to bloating and changes in bowel habits. Diet, health, and antibiotics are contributing factors. Addressing these is crucial to restore balance and relieve symptoms....

D-arabinitol is a sugar alcohol used as a biomarker for diagnosing and monitoring Candida infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Elevated levels of D-arabinitol can indicate an overgrowth of Candida, often associated with systemic candidiasis. Its measurement can provide a quicker and non-invasive diagnostic alternative compared to traditional culture methods....

Diamine Oxidase (DAO) is an enzyme that breaks down histamine, a compound involved in immune responses, gut health, and neurological functions. Adequate DAO levels are crucial for managing histamine levels in the body, preventing histamine intolerance and related symptoms....

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is a key beneficial bacterium in the human gut, known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It plays a crucial role in maintaining gut health, contributing to a balanced gut microbiome and supporting the intestinal barrier....

Fecal occult blood (FOB) is blood present in the feces that is not visible to the naked eye. This condition can be a crucial indicator of internal gastrointestinal bleeding, which may not produce any visible symptoms. FOB testing is a non-invasive method used to detect hidden blood in the stool, which can be a sign of various medical conditions....

Geotrichum candidum is a type of fungus often found in soil, water, air, and some food products. In the human body, it's commonly present in the gut and on the skin. While typically harmless, Geotrichum candidum can cause issues in immunocompromised individuals....

The measurement of histamine in stool is a diagnostic test used primarily to detect and evaluate allergic reactions and inflammatory conditions in the gastrointestinal tract. Histamine, a biogenic amine, is released by immune cells in response to allergens and plays a key role in inflammatory processes. High levels of histamine in the stool can indicate gastrointestinal disorders such as food allergies, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and mast cell activation syndromes. This test helps in identifying the presence of excessive immune response and aids in the diagnosis and management of conditions related to increased histamine activity....

Hydrogen breath testing is a diagnostic method used to detect abnormal levels of hydrogen in the breath, which are produced by bacterial fermentation in the intestines. This test is particularly useful for diagnosing Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), fructose intolerance, and sorbitol intolerance. Elevated hydrogen levels can indicate that undigested carbohydrates are being fermented by bacteria in the gut, leading to symptoms like bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain....

Methane testing through breath analysis is a diagnostic tool used to detect excessive methane production by intestinal bacteria. Methane is a gas produced by specific microbes within the gut, particularly in response to the fermentation of certain carbohydrates. Elevated methane levels in breath tests are associated with conditions like Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), fructose intolerance, and sorbitol intolerance. These conditions can lead to symptoms such as bloating, constipation, abdominal pain, and altered bowel habits....

Pancreatic elastase is an enzyme produced by the pancreas, crucial for digesting proteins. Measuring its levels in feces provides valuable information about pancreatic function. This enzyme remains stable in fecal matter, making it a reliable indicator for evaluating the exocrine function of the pancreas, particularly in diagnosing conditions like pancreatic insufficiency....

The pH value of the stool can indicate if there are any conditions of excess decay or fermentation in the intestine. A too low pH value often occurs in combination with a dysfunctional intestinal flora, as complex sugars are metabolized to fatty acids, which can contribute to an acidified stool. A too high pH value can be due to excessive amounts of protein, which can stimulate certain intestinal bacteria to produce ammonia and other metabolic products, thus raising the pH value of the stool....

The quantitative determination of fat in stool samples, often referred to under the umbrella of digestive residues, is a diagnostic test used to evaluate fat absorption and to identify malabsorption syndromes. This test, measures the amount of fat that is excreted in the stool. Excessive fat in the stool, a condition known as steatorrhea, can indicate problems with digestion or absorption of fat in the gastrointestinal tract. The results of this test help in diagnosing conditions such as pancreatic insufficiency, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, and Crohn's disease....

The quantitative determination of nitrogen is a laboratory test primarily used to assess protein digestion and absorption by measuring nitrogen levels in bodily excretions, usually urine or feces. This test is instrumental in evaluating nutritional status, particularly in clinical settings where protein-energy malnutrition or imbalances might be a concern. It serves as a key indicator of metabolic functions related to protein turnover. The test can help diagnose conditions that affect protein metabolism, such as kidney disease, malabsorption syndromes, and certain metabolic disorders...

The quantitative determination of sugar in stool is a diagnostic test used primarily to detect carbohydrate malabsorption. This type of test is valuable for diagnosing conditions such as lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance, and other disorders where the digestion and absorption of sugars are impaired. By measuring the levels of sugars such as lactose, fructose, or sorbitol in the stool, healthcare providers can identify the specific sugars that a patient's digestive system cannot process effectively. The presence of undigested sugars in the stool often leads to symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, and abdominal pain....

The quantitative determination of water in stool, commonly referred to as stool water content analysis, is a diagnostic test used to evaluate the water content in feces. This test is crucial for diagnosing conditions associated with abnormal water absorption or secretion in the gastrointestinal tract, such as various forms of diarrhea. Diarrhea can result from infections, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or malabsorption syndromes, where there is either excessive secretion or inadequate absorption of water in the intestines....

Secretory IgA (Immunoglobulin A) is a critical component of the immune system, primarily found in mucosal areas like the intestines, respiratory tract, and saliva. It plays a key role in the body's first line of defense, protecting mucosal surfaces by binding to pathogens and preventing their entry into the body. Secretory IgA is essential for maintaining gut health and overall immune function....

Yeast, a type of fungus, is commonly found in the human body, especially in the gut and on the skin. In small amounts, it's harmless. However, imbalances can lead to overgrowth, causing various health issues. Factors like diet, antibiotics, and overall health influence yeast levels....

Zonulin is a protein that regulates the permeability of tight junctions between cells in the digestive tract. It plays a crucial role in the intestinal barrier, controlling the passage of substances, including nutrients and antigens, between the gut and the bloodstream. Imbalances in zonulin levels can affect gut permeability, potentially leading to various health issues....