How to Test The Health of Your Gut| Measuring Intestinal Bacteria, Yeast (Candida), and Parasites
Dr Richard Hagmeyer, Naperville IL
If you suffer from IBS and other digestive problems then most likely you have a microbial imbalance in your digestive tract. This is also known as gut disbiosis and is one key out of ten in treatment, cure and relief of IBS.
One of the most important services good bacteria provide is preserving the microbiota or “balance” of bacterial populations within the body. By their very presence they prevent the establishment, growth and spread of “bad” bacteria and yeast. With a good “microbiota” or Microbiome harmful bacteria and yeast have no place to grow and will be kept in check, if friendly bacteria are thriving. Its all about balance! In our last article we talked about the dangers of antibiotics and how antibiotics can cause IBS
The best-known friendly bacteria are Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium. Lactobacilli are also the bacteria that change milk into yogurt, and they are present in acidophilus milk. Bifidobacteria, which have been shown to provide many health benefits, are particularly high in the intestines of breast-fed newborns. A healthy intestinal system has more of both these friendly bacteria than other unfriendly bacteria.
Bad bacteria, too numerous to mention but rarely tested for in most clinics; And then the ugly bacteria, often contracted in hospitals and those who have serious immune suppression, or who have been on many antibiotics.
It’s also important to know that yeast (Candida) and parasites can also be a significant cause of IBS symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. A deficiency of good bacteria and/or the presence of bad and ugly bacteria, yeast (Candida) or parasites will cause a variety of digestive problems, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and even nutritional deficiencies.
Although there are thousands of different types of bacteria, there is a misconception that just eating yogurt, drinking acidophilus milk or taking acidophilus supplements is enough to reestablish the gut flora.
Many people are so deficient in good bacteria that only larger doses will replenish the digestive tract, and often the presence of another bacteria or yeast/Candida must first be treated before good bacteria will be able to colonize and take hold. As well, many probiotic supplements available to the public are pathetically inadequate, and do little to replenish good bacteria.
Identifying the health and environment of your GI system as one of the causative agents in your IBS recovery is absolutely essential and one of the keys in our IBS Treatment Program. You can learn more about the other keys here
The Naperville Institute For Neuro Metabolic Solutions is proud to be one of the few clinics in the country where you can now get DNA testing to measure the presence of the bacteria, yeast parasites and degree of Gut Disbiosis in your digestive tract.
When evaluating the terrain of the GI system, one of the most important tests you can have done is this is done via a stool sample. All microbes have DNA, and that DNA can now be detected and quantified with Nobel Prize-winning PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technology, which is commonly used in other forms of DNA testing.
DNA testing is far superior to all previous tests that assessed the presence or absence of microbes in the digestive tract. In the past, bacteria and yeast had to be grown or cultured on a Petri dish, and parasites and yeast were looked for under the microscope. In both cases there were numerous factors that could affect the test and result in inaccurate results. With DNA testing these problems have been eliminated, and an incredible range of microbes (see list) can be detected.
This test will demonstrate the amount of all friendly bacteria, unfriendly bacteria, and yeast growing in your digestive tract. It also includes the presence of all forms of parasites. It is far more comprehensive than standard stool tests which typically only measure the presence of parasites, or the ugly bacteria that cause potentially life-threatening bloody diarrhea. Standard tests do not cover the wealth of other bacteria and yeast whose presence or absence can lead to IBS and related digestive problems.
This test is quite simple for you. If you have been accepted into our IBS Relief Program, you will be provided with the appropriate instructions and sample collection kit to take home with you. You then mail the kit directly to the lab from the convenience of your own house.
When your tests are complete, the results will be sent to the Naperville Institute For NeuroMetabolic Solutions where we will customize a unique and tailored approach to your results. We will then spend the time necessary to explain your test results to you and provide you with the information and a customized program to treat any problems found.
Request our Free Guide By filling out your name and email to the right. You will Receive Our 20+ page guide FREE Within just a few short minutes.
Here is an example of how specific the test results will be.
Bacteria
- Lactobacillus species (includes acidophilus)
- Bifidobacter species
- Bacteroides species
- Clostridia species
- E. coli
- Eubacteria species
- Fusobacteria species
- Mycobacteria species
- Prevotella species
- Streotomyces species
- Pathogenic bacteria
- Achromobacter species
- Aeromonas species
- Bacillus species
- Campylobacter
- Citrobacter freundii
- C. difficile
- Enterohemorrhagic E. coli
- Haemolytic E. coli
- H. pylori
- Klebsiella pneumoneae
- Psuedomonas species
- Salmonella species
- Shigella species
- Vibrio species
- And many others
- Parasites
- Ascaris lumbricoides
- Blastocystis hominis
- Clonorchis sinensis (liver fluke)
- Cryptosporidia
- Dientamoeba fragilis
- Entamoeba histolytica
- Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm)
- Giardia
- Hookworms
- Taenia (Tapeworms)
- Trichuris (whipworms)
- Yeast/Mycology
- Candida species
- Rhodoturula species
- Saccharomyces species
- And others
Dr Hagmeyers IBS Recovery Program Is A Great place To Start
The Personal Program IBS Recovery Program is a Natural Treatment for IBS and other GI related problems. Our office utilizes nutritional supplements, Dietary modifications, Hormone and endocrine support formula, lifestyle guidance and nutritional counseling.
To Schedule a Free 15 minute Phone Consult to see if this program is right for you Fill out our online questionnaire.
- If you’re ready to get started and schedule an appointment take a moment and fill out our contact us form and in the comment box let us know what time of the day works best to contact you. One of our New Patient Coordinators will contact you with the next available new patient opening within 24-48 hours.
Still have questions? Our Free 15 minute personalized Phone consult is a great place to start.
We’re here to listen and help you through this frustrating and confusing time.
Summary: There is a perpetual search for the causes of why a person has IBS, Crohn’s Disease, any type of colitis or any other chronic health condition. Relief comes when all of the possible causes are identified and addressed. Any two people may have the same symptoms, but for two different reasons. This is why conventional medicine fails in the treatment of chronic health problems like IBS.
Functional Medicine Takes a different approach. Realizing that your body and its system are integrated, It only makes sense to look at testing that reveals each patients unique physiology.
The success of Dr. Hagmeyers treatment program for gastrointestinal complaints as well as any other chronic health condition is in part due to how comprehensive it is compared to anything else you may have tried.
Request our Free Guide By filling out your name and email to the right. You will Receive Our 20+ page guide FREE Within just a few short minutes.
Other article by Dr. Hagmeyer You May be Interested In Reading
2. Naperville Natural IBS Treatment For Kids. Dr Hagmeyer The Importance of the Gut Environment.
3. IBS Natural and Holistic Treatments That Work. 10 Reasons You Suffer with IBS. Dr Hagmeyer
5. Chronic Fatigue| Weight Gain| Auto Immune IBS|Dr Hagmeyer Explains Leaky Gut
