Get To Know Your Gut with the GI-MAP Test
Start the new year with a better understanding of YOUR microbiome, and discover solutions for optimizing YOUR health. Read more about the GI-MAP below!
What is the GI-MAP test?
The GI Microbial Assay Plus (or GI-MAP™) test is a DNA-based stool test that provides a detailed analysis of your individual gut microbiome using cutting edge technology.
The GI-MAP emphasizes specificity, and is extremely comprehensive in terms of what is analyzed, from the different types of bacteria present to markers of inflammation and intestinal permeability (leaky gut– available as an add-on) to antibiotic-resistant genes.
The results of the GI-MAP test are relevant not only in terms of gastrointestinal health but also when it comes to chronic disease risk, immune system function, and mental health, as the health of the gut influences the brain and the whole body in many ways.
What makes the GI-MAP different?
There are a number of tests available that look at various indicators of digestive function and gut health, and they all have their time and place, but few offer as comprehensive an analysis as the GI-MAP. In addition to providing a thorough analysis of the makeup of the gut microbiome including beneficial and pathogenic bacteria, it also examines parasites, viruses, fungi, antibiotic-resistant genes, markers of inflammation and immune system function, and optionally, indicators of intestinal permeability. Essentially it provides a roadmap of the gut, and offers results that are meaningful and actionable.
The GI-MAP test also uses a process for testing that is superior to the more traditional stool culture tests, which are unable to detect certain kinds of bacterial species, and that is also more advanced and more specific than other kinds of DNA stool tests.
Is the GI-MAP test right for you?
Gut health influences the health of the entire body, and virtually anyone can benefit from developing an understanding of their unique microbiome. The GI-MAP test may be especially helpful for those with digestive concerns including IBS, SIBO, constipation, diarrhea, or stomach pain. It may also be valuable for those with chronic illnesses, hormonal imbalances, autoimmune disorders, anxiety, or depression. The test is suitable for adults and children alike.
An update on the gut-brain connection
We are learning more every day about the incredible influence of the gut microbiome on overall health and on the brain. The latest? The finders are still preliminary, but researchers have found bacteria in the brain, and are beginning to propose the concept of a “brain microbiome”. Although in the integrative medical world we’ve known for years about the importance and relevance of the gut microbiome, dysbiosis, probiotics, and the complex, bidirectional relationship between the gut and the brain, the possibility of this even more direct connection is a stunning development. We are constantly learning more about the microbiome, the gut, and the brain, and any test that can really help to shed some light on an individual’s microbiome and its clinical relevance is valuable, in my book.
Request your consultation & GI-MAP test now!
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*Please note that this offer is valid for Markham Integrative Medicine patients only. Consultation fees may apply. First-time patients may contact Markham Integrative Medicine to find out more about setting up an initial consultation.
