Gastrointestinal issues are among the most common reasons people seek medical care.
Recent studies have shown that gastrointestinal dysfunction may be linked to a variety of non-gastrointestinal conditions, such as mood regulation disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, endocrine imbalances, autoimmune diseases, and allergic predispositions.

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

Test Applications

• Digestive and Metabolic Function Indicators
  If dietary proteins are not fully digested and absorbed in the small intestine, they may be broken down by bacteria in the colon, resulting in the production of putrefactive short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Elevated levels of these SCFAs may be associated with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Monitoring the concentration of pancreatic elastase provides a more comprehensive evaluation of digestive function integrity.

• Gut Microbiota and Energy Metabolism Indicators
  Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are organic acids, with acetate, propionate, and butyrate being the most predominant types. SCFAs are produced by bacterial fermentation of dietary fiber and resistant starch in the diet. SCFAs help to:

  • Maintain intestinal barrier integrity
  • Serve as an energy source for colonocytes
  • Serve as an energy source for colonocytes
  • Support a healthy gut microbiota balance
  • Modulate anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity

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

• Decreased exocrine pancreatic function is associated with conditions such as gallstones, diabetes, osteoporosis, and autoimmune diseases. In the absence of digestive enzyme supplementation, direct measurement of pancreatic enzyme levels can reflect changes in intestinal transit time or alterations in digestive and absorptive markers.
• Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) play an important role in the body’s fat and energy metabolism. Acting on adipocytes (fat cells), SCFAs can suppress insulin signaling pathways, reduce fat accumulation, and enhance leptin secretion. Increasing dietary intake of fiber and oligosaccharide-rich foods can promote the production of beneficial SCFAs.
• Testing can also determine whether the body has an immune response to gluten and whether intestinal inflammation is present. It helps assess whether common discomfort symptoms may be linked to gluten sensitivity. Implementing a gluten-free diet can help relieve symptoms, and using the 4R gut healing protocol can aid in repairing the intestinal lining and improving leaky gut syndrome.