The Gut Health Test
Improving your digestive health
The function of the gut is very important for general health as it is the interface between your body and the outside world.
Why is a healthy gut important?
A healthy gut is key in digestion, it makes possible the use of nutrients from food and rids the body of waste and harmful substances. The ability to digest and absorb nutrients from food effectively is one of the cornerstones of good health. Poor gut function can contribute to symptoms associated with digestive disorders.
The Facts
Your intestines contain many different bacteria and the nature of these bacteria varies widely. Some bacteria are beneficial and some can be harmful. Usually we think of bacteria as the ‘bad guys’ that make us ill, but in fact we need them to work with us, in our body, to help absorb nutrients and seal out those components which are most likely to cause harm.
The ‘good’ bacteria in the gut aid the process of digestion and help produce certain vitamins to supplement those which are obtained from food. In addition, ‘good’ bacteria help digest dietary fibre and breakdown dietary toxins into less harmful substances. They also ‘block out’ dangerous bacteria to decrease the risk of food poisoning. Harmful bacteria may slow these processes and contribute to poor digestion and inability to absorb all the nutrients that the body requires.
What can affect my gut health?
Yeasts and mould colonies or communities also exist naturally within our gut. Frequent or prolonged use of antibiotics, steroids or hormones, a weak immune system, stress or too much sugar in our diet can knock out the good bacterial colonies, removing the natural halt on yeast growth. Yeast overgrowth can provoke symptoms including recurrent vaginal thrush, cystitis like symptoms and much more.
How healthy is your digestive system? – Our Quiz
- Do you have a full feel or bloated feeling in your stomach, especially after eating?
- Do you often have wind?
- Do you have loose stools (diarrhoea) or constipation?
- Do you avoid eating certain foods because they make you feel uncomfortable?
- Do you have abdominal cramps or pains?
- Have you had food poisoning and your bowels have not been ‘right’ since; for example do you still suffer from diarrhoea?
- Have you ever taken an antibiotic for more that one month at a time?
- Have you ever taken oral contraceptives, HRT or steroids for extended periods?
- Do you have chronic infections or chronic fatigue?
If you have answered yes to any of the questions above, it might be a good time to consider taking the Gut Health Test.
What is tested?
The results provided will include information about:
* Many different bacteria strains, from at least sixteen different bacterial species, will be identified, giving a broad view of the state of your gut flora. The sample will be tested for both good (‘friendly’) bacteria and harmful (pathogenic) bacteria.
* The presence of yeasts (including Candida) and moulds.
* The presence of undigested carbohydrates, fats and proteins; indicators that the gut is not functioning effectively.
* Physical factors such as sample acidity and sample appearance indicators.
How will the Gut Health Test help me?
Based on the results of the test you will receive individual advice and diet recommendations which could aid your digestion and improve your gut function. The suggested regime is designed to help change the composition of the bacteria flora, and the condition of your gut to optimise your gut ecology and therefore improve your health.
This test costs £220. The price includes a 1 hour consultation prior testing and a 1 hour consultation to discuss the collected results.
If you have any questions regarding the test or would like to book yourself in for a Gut Health Test, please call us on 01303 760001 or email us at enquiries@foremanandjones.co.uk
