Conditions

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative Colitis has been successfully treated in thousands of patients by using Naturopathic Medicine. In the majority of cases of ulcerative colits there are; food irritants, enzyme deficiencies, imbalances in the microflora, stress elements, and a dysfunctional immune system.Ulcerative colitis often leads to many other health problems due to the faulty absorption of nutrients. Treatments that our Naturopathic doctors use include food sensitivity testing, gut healing nutrients and herbs, and herbal anti-inflammatories, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, and visceral manipulation. When we discover the root cause of irritation and support your bodies aboility to heal we see ulcerative colitis settle down.One of the most important places to begin when treating ulcerative colitis is in getting a clear understanding of what is going on in the digestive tract. Current medical diagnostic tests give us a picture of the damage but not of the function that leads to the damage.We use a test that helps us get a clear picture of how the digestive tract it functioning.

Information can then be gathered regarding enzyme production, gut flora, yeast and microbes.

The most common stool analysis we use is the GI Effects Complete Profile by Metametrix. The following, taken from Metametrix’s website, gives a brief explanation of the test.

The Latest Advancement in Stool Analysis

GI Effects is unlike any other stool analysis profile, going beyond the standard parameters for identifying gastrointestinal disorders.  The GI Effects Profile uses DNA analysis to identify microbiota including anaerobes, a previously immeasurable area of the gut environment. DNA assessment is specific and accurate, avoids the pitfalls of sample transport, reports results as specific numbers, and is more sensitive than classic laboratory methods.

 Advantages of the GI Effects Stool Profile

Greater Accuracy

Microbial DNA analysis improves the accuracy of results and includes both aerobes and anaerobes. Anaerobes comprise over 95% of the bacteria in the gut and are difficult to detect with old culture methods.

 Antibiotic resistance genes

DNA analysis detects organisms possessing genes that give rise to antibiotic resistance, offering clinicians a superior tool for effective patient management.  Single Sample Collection

Culture methods require multiple collections, whereas the GI Effects Stool Profile requires only one sample collection leading to improved patient compliance!

Eliminates Errors in Transport

Sample transport is a source of significant error in culture analysis due to the change in microbial balance from the time of collection. Using DNA analysis, the specimen is placed in a fixative tube that stops microbial growth and offers a highly accurate snapshot of the microbial balance in the gut.

 Increased Sensitivity

GI Effects detects as few as 5 cells per gram – a 5000-fold increase in sensitivity over microscopy for parasite detection.  A Better Value  No reflex or add-on costs for additional testing!

Why Use Stool Analysis?

Gastrointestinal function is important for general health. The intestinal tract contains significant amounts of bacteria; some beneficial, some neutral, and some harmful. Balancing beneficial microbial flora in the gut is key to proper digestion, efficient nutrient usage, and ridding the body of waste and pathogens. Poor digestion and malabsorption can lead to immune dysfunction, nutritional insufficiencies, mental/emotional disorders, and autoimmune diseases.

Metametrix offers the Complete GI Effects profile for the most thorough look at the gut microbiome.