Optimal health is deeply
influenced by gastrointestinal function
The digestive system is composed by the gastrointestinal tract and accessory digestive organs. The accessory digestive organs include the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, teeth, tongue and salivary glands. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a continuous alimentary canal that extends from the mouth to the anus and includes the mouth, most of the pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.
The main functions of the GI tract include:
- Motility: movement of food through the digestive tract
- Secretion: exocrine: hydrochloric acid, bicarbonate, digestive enzymes and endocrine: hormones
- Digestion: breakdown of food
- Absorption: of nutrients into blood or lymph
- Storage: temporary storage
- Elimination: toxins and indigestible food molecules
- Immune barrier: 70-80% of the immune is present in the gut
Improper digestion and malabsorption may impact metabolic and immune functions, mood and optimal availability of nutrients in the body which might affect the person’s health in general.
In addition, the gut microbiome hosts nearly 1000 bacterial species that encode approximately 5 million genes. It executes a wide range of the functions essential for host survival and physiology. Qualitative and quantitative modifications in the composition of the gut microbiota have been associated by scientific research with pathological dysbiosis and a wide variety of intestinal and extra-intestinal diseases including:
- Autoimmune Disorders
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
The tests displayed bellow offer a comprehensive assessment of the gastrointestinal tract function status and important information and analysis regarding inflammation, insufficiency & infection.
