Gut testing is so available these days, but like anything, ready availability does not necessarily translate into quality. So, which gut test is the best? In this blog, I will discuss some of the essential components of the best gut health tests out there.
gut testing: Vital for disease prevention
Before talking about gut testing, let’s talk about why gut testing and gut health are so important to overall health. As the philosopher Hippocrates has said, “all disease begins in the gut”. In fact, 70% of the immune system is in the gut. Therefore, bacterial overgrowth within the gut can cause inflammation in the body. If gut health is imbalanced, autoimmune conditions, metabolic dysfunction, and even arteriosclerosis can result. So yes, everything begins in the gut, and yes, there are gut tests that can detect disease before it begins.
unlocking the best gut test: the power of DNA PcR analysis
First of all, not every gut test is the same. Some are definitely better than others. The best gut test will provide information based on scientific evidence and research. It will tell exactly what clinical applications need to be done based on the results. The best gut tests will use specific DNA PCR analysis to test for the right types of good bacteria in the gut. This is the most advanced and accurate testing available right now because it is quantifiable. This means that actual numbers of good and bad bacteria in the gut can be measured.
the best gut test: unveiling gut bacteria’s role in health
Some of these good bacteria are important probiotics. They help with maintaining the mucous lining of the gut and aid in metabolism. Other good bacteria are important for neurotransmitter production. Neurotransmitters are chemical signals our brain uses to function well. Without doing a DNA PCR quantifiable analysis, it is impossible to know just how much good bacteria are there. In fact, it is impossible to know if there are any at all.
Opportunistic bacteria can also be measured with DNA PCR analysis gut testing. The testing is very specific for these bacteria because problems occur when these opportunistic species overgrow. Normally, they are found in very small amounts in the gut. However, if they overgrow, they can cause the gut to become inflammatory. These bacteria produce inflammatory molecules that lie at the root cause of inflammation, heart disease and autoimmunity, to name a few. Therefore, it is incredibly important to control the overgrowth of these opportunistic bacteria, such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus among many others.
intestinal Biomarkers: Insights into Digestive Function and Hormonal Balance
In addition, the best gut test should test for intestinal biomarkers. Measuring digestive enzymes such as elastase, indicates how the gut is digesting proteins. Other intestinal biomarkers help us to understand how a person is digesting fats and whether the body can obtain important fat-soluble vitamins such as A and D. Yet other biomarkers can tell us if the gut is healthy by giving us information about whether hormones are being recirculated in the body or whether they are being eliminated through the gut.
Detecting Fungal and Parasitic Overgrowth: Importance of the best gut test
So, as you can see, the very best gut test should detect and quantify both good and opportunistic bacteria. It will also show whether there is a fungal or parasitic overgrowth. Conventional stool tests or breath tests can often miss parasites as well as important bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori, commonly known as H. pylori, which commonly cause peptic ulcers.
Advanced Gut Testing to optimize total body health
Ultimately, gut health affects overall health and impacts cardiovascular health, neurological and brain health, inflammation, and autoimmunity, among many others. Therefore, the best gut test should be quantifiable and include intestinal biomarkers to get the most accurate picture of gut and total body health. At South Florida Integrative Health Center, we have always used the most advanced gut test on the market. We routinely use these DNA PCR quantifiable biomarkers to obtain the most important clinically useful information. Ultimately, it is one of the tools we find most valuable in achieving gut health and optimal overall health and wellness in our patients.
Get the Best Gut Test in Your Hands. Start here by booking a 15-minute free Gut Health Call.
