COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 259
NSAID use, alcohol, or bile reflux. Gastritis may be acute or chronic
and can lead to erosion of the mucosa over time.
Functional GI testing can provide a complete picture of what’s
driving this inflammation. Advanced stool analysis can detect H.
pylori antigen, calprotectin (an inflammatory marker), and
elastase, which reflects pancreatic enzyme output. These markers
help identify whether inflammation, poor digestion, or microbial
imbalance contributes to symptoms.
Gut Dysbiosis
Dysbiosis is a microbial imbalance in the gastrointestinal tract,
often involving too few beneficial bacteria, overgrowth of harmful
microbes, or reduced microbial diversity. It’s a common root
cause of symptoms like bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea,
fatigue, brain fog, and skin issues4and plays a major role in
chronic inflammatory and digestive conditions.
It’s also closely linked to a range of chronic health concerns,
including IBS, Candida overgrowth, leaky gut, eczema,
autoimmune diseases, and metabolic disorders.
Among the most common contributors to dysbiosis are H. pylori
infections and parasites, both of which can damage the gut
lining, trigger inflammation, and interfere with healthy digestion.
Common tests include:
Comprehensive Stool Analysis 3 Evaluates microbial balance,
infections, digestion, and inflammation directly in the gut.
Organic Acids Test (OAT) 3 Detects microbial byproducts and
nutrient imbalances, offering insight into functional impacts of
dysbiosis.
Zonulin 3 Assesses gut barrier integrity; elevated levels suggest
leaky gut, often linked to microbial imbalance.
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