Gastrointestinal issues are one of the most common reasons for seeking medical care. Recent studies have found that gastrointestinal abnormalities may be associated with a variety of extraintestinal diseases.

Gastrointestinal Dysfunction	Extra-Gastrointestinal Indicators	Specific GI Conditions
Indigestion Diarrhea Gas / Bloating Recent use of antibiotics Gastrointestinal infection / dysbiosis	Osteoporosis Diabetes Arthritis Autoimmune disease Chronic fatigue Abdominal pain	IBS IBD Pancreatic insufficiency

Gut-Map^® Gut Microbiota Function Report – Key Information

• Enterotype Analysis
  Assesses dietary habits and helps predict potential disease risks based on gut microbial composition.
• Diversity Analysis
  Reflects the overall health of the gut environment. A normal diversity score suggests a well-balanced gut microbiota.
• Proteobacteria Analysis
  This phylum includes many pathogenic genera. An increased proportion may indicate an unhealthy gut environment.
• Probiotic Analysis
  Evaluates the presence of beneficial bacteria in the gut. A higher abundance of probiotics is associated with better gut health. Clinical studies have shown that probiotics can effectively improve various gastrointestinal conditions such as constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), intestinal inflammation, allergies, and even help prevent pathogenic infections.
• Pathogen Analysis
  Identifies the presence and proportion of pathogenic bacteria. A higher level suggests poorer gut health and an increased risk for clinical conditions such as diarrhea, inflammation, and even cancer.
• Butyrate-Producing Bacteria
  Serve as key indicators of gut health. A higher proportion leads to increased butyrate production, which helps maintain an acidic gut environment, suppress harmful bacteria, support epithelial barrier function, and promote intestinal motility.
• Mucin-Producing Bacteria
  Important for assessing gut health. Mucin forms a mucus layer between the intestinal epithelium and gut microbiota or other foreign substances. The abundance of mucin-producing bacteria influences mucosal integrity.
• Hydrogen Sulfide-Producing Bacteria
  Evaluates gut health. Increased levels of hydrogen sulfide are associated with an unhealthy gut environment and the production of foul-smelling gases.
• Fungi / Yeast
  Elevated levels of specific fungi or yeast may indicate a higher risk of related diseases.
• Antibiotic Resistance Genes
  Provide reference data for future or ongoing antibiotic treatment strategies.
• Disease Risk Assessment
  Offers risk evaluation for various related diseases, allowing for early diagnosis and preventive intervention in high-risk cases.

The important information provided by Gut-Map^® Gut Microbiota Function is as follows

• Probiotic and Pathogen Identification
  Determines the types and proportions of probiotics and pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract, helping assess gut health and detect infections or related diseases.
• Fungal Identification
  Assesses specific fungal overgrowth and potential disease associations.
• Mucin/Butyrate/Hydrogen Sulfide-Producing Bacteria
  Serve as important indicators for gut environment health and intestinal mucosal integrity.
• Disease Risk Evaluation
  Assesses risks for various related diseases, supporting early diagnosis in high-risk individuals.

• Gut Health Support via the Functional Medicine 4R Approach

  1. Remove – Eliminate allergens and harmful substances.
  2. Replace – Support proper digestion with enzymes or acids.
  3. Reinoculate – Reintroduce beneficial bacteria (probiotics).
  4. Repair – Restore and maintain the gut mucosal barrier.