Gastrointestinal issues are among the most common reasons people seek medical care.
Recent studies have found that gastrointestinal dysfunction may be associated with various non-gastrointestinal conditions, such as mood disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, endocrine imbalances, autoimmune diseases, and allergic tendencies.

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^® Report – Key Information

• Digestive and Metabolic Function Indicators
  If dietary proteins are not fully digested and absorbed in the small intestine, they may reach the colon and be broken down by bacteria, producing putrefactive short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Elevated levels of these SCFAs may be associated with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Clinically, the concentration of fecal elastase is used to assess the integrity of pancreatic digestive function.
• Gut Microbiota and Energy Metabolism Indicators
  The main SCFAs in the gut are acetate, propionate, and butyrate, which are produced by bacterial fermentation of undigested dietary fibers and resistant starches. SCFAs help maintain the intestinal barrier, serve as a major energy source for colonocytes, and regulate fat metabolism by suppressing insulin signaling in adipocytes, reducing fat accumulation, enhancing leptin secretion, modulating water absorption in the colon, optimizing microbiota balance, and supporting anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity.
• Immune and Inflammatory Markers
  Gastrointestinal inflammation may be associated with both intestinal and extraintestinal diseases. This quantitative analysis can detect mild, moderate, or severe intestinal inflammation. Elevated levels of intestinal immune markers are linked to infections, allergies, food sensitivities, NSAID-induced enteropathy, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and tumors.
• Intestinal Mucosal Permeability Indicator
  Zonulin binds to receptors on intestinal epithelial cells, initiating a regulatory cascade that loosens tight junctions between villi cells to facilitate the passage of specific substances. Abnormal increases in zonulin lead to increased intestinal permeability, allowing partially digested or allergenic substances to cross the gut lining, triggering immune responses and inflammation. Clinically, this marker is used to evaluate intestinal mucosal integrity, commonly referred to as leaky gut syndrome.
• Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)
  Bleeding from colorectal tumors or polyps can occur due to friction with stool, and the blood adheres to the surface of the feces. The FOBT is an effective screening tool for the early detection of colorectal tumors or polyps. When combined with colonoscopy for confirmation, it allows for timely diagnosis and treatment, effectively preventing the progression of colorectal cancer and reducing related complications.

The important information provided by Gut-META^® is as follows

• Assessing Exocrine Pancreatic Function Abnormalities
  Decreased exocrine pancreatic function has been linked to gallstones, diabetes, osteoporosis, and autoimmune diseases. In the absence of external digestive enzyme supplementation, pancreatic elastase-1 (PE-1) can be used to evaluate the pancreas's enzyme secretion function.
• Assessing Intestinal Digestive and Absorptive Function
  Putrefactive short-chain fatty acids in the intestine are mainly produced from incompletely digested food. Their concentration in stool reflects changes in intestinal transit time or disruptions in digestive and absorptive capacity.
• Assessing Deficiency in Dietary Fiber and Prebiotics
  Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are primarily generated by bacterial fermentation of unabsorbed dietary fiber and resistant starch. SCFA levels serve as an effective indicator of a person's dietary patterns. Supplementing with fiber and oligosaccharide-rich foods is recommended to promote the synthesis of beneficial SCFAs.
• Assessing Abnormal Intestinal Permeability (Leaky Gut)
  Elevated secretion of zonulin indicates increased intestinal permeability, which may lead to leaky gut syndrome. This condition allows partially digested or allergenic substances to cross the intestinal lining, triggering immune responses and potentially causing various inflammatory or allergic symptoms.
• Detecting Gut Infections or Inflammation
  Elevated levels of intestinal immune markers such as calprotectin and secretory IgA (sIgA) are associated with intestinal infections, food allergies, NSAID-induced enteropathy, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and tumors.
• Recommendation: 4R Gut Restoration Protocol
  Discomfort can be alleviated through an elimination diet and implementation of the 4R approach to restore gut function and address leaky gut: