The 5 Essentials for Digestive Healing: A Quick Reference Guide to Symptoms and Correlated Markers o

The 5 Essentials for Digestive Healing:

A Quick Reference Guide to Symptoms and Correlated Markers on the GI-MAP

Use this table as a starting point for understanding and building a targeted gut healing protocol. Remember the rule of thumb: all five essentials need to be considered and addressed for full digestive healing. Of note: the symptoms listed are the most common but not an exhaustive list. The lab markers are those most indicative of dysfunction in that area, but full interpretation of the GI-MAP test is far more nuanced than can be expressed in a simple guide. To learn how to properly interpret this test or to find a practitioner, go to www.restorativewellnesssolutions.com.

Area of concern Common Symptoms

Essential 1: Support digestive function

Stomach: Hypochlorhydria

Stomach: Helicobacter Pylori

Bloating, belching, heartburn, indigestion, and feeling full after eating only a small amount of food

Lab Markers on the GI-MAP Therapeutic considerations

Abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, bloating, belching, loss of appetite, heartburn and acid reflux

No direct lab markers

Elevated H Pylori is an indirect marker

Elevations in opportunistic bacteria that feed on maldigested proteins such as (but not limited to) Bacillus spp, Morganella spp, Staphylococcus spp, Streptococcus spp, etc

Elevated H Pylori + virulence factors

Upper GI Healing support

Slow and carefully-monitored titration of HCl support to upper level of tolerance

Address H Pylori if applicable

Pancreas: Poor Undigested food in stool, bloating, Elastase-1 below 500

Upper GI Healing support

H Pylori eradication herbs and nutrients

Slow and carefully-monitored titration of HCl support to upper level of tolerance

Digestive enzyme support

Area of concern Common Symptoms

enzyme output

Gallbladder:

Sluggish or insufficient biliary flow

flatulence, intestinal discomfort after eating, excess fullness after meals, diarrhea/ loose stools, food sensitivities

Constipation, nausea/motion sickness, feel sick when eating fatty foods, indigestion, bloating

Essential 2: Heal and seal the gut lining

Small intestine:

Intestinal permeability

Bloating, flatulence, discomfort after eating, food sensitivities, cramps, diarrhea, constipation, nutrient deficiencies, fatigue/weakness, skin issues, brain fog and cognitive issues, joint pain, muscle weakness, mood disturbances such as anxiety and depression

Essential 3: Support the microbiome

Large Intestine: insufficient beneficial bacteria

Lab Markers on the GI-MAP Therapeutic considerations

Elevations in opportunistic bacteria that feed on maldigested proteins such as (but not limited to) Bacillus spp, Morganella spp, Staphylococcus spp, Streptococcus spp

Elevated Steatocrit

bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, constipation, food sensitivities, compromised immunity, mood disorders such as anxiety and

Low levels of Beneficial Commensals such as (but not limited to)

Akkermansia Muciniphila, Lactobaccilus, Bifidobacterium spp, Escherichia spp

Elevated Candida Albicans

Elevated Zonulin (Optional add-on)

Elevated Anti-gliadin Ab

Low levels of commensal / beneficial bacteria

Elevated Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes Ratio

Support optimal protein digestion with slow and carefully-monitored titration of HCl support to upper level of tolerance

Fat digestion support such as condensed beet root, enzymes, choline, or bile salts (avoid prolonged use if gallbladder is intact)

Herbs and nutrients that support gut healing

Identify and remove inflammatory foods (see Essential 5)

Restore the microbiome (see Essential 3)

Probiotic support, particularly with a terrain-adjusting probiotic

Area of concern Common Symptoms

depression, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, impaired metabolism and difficulty maintaining optimal body weight, skin issues, fatigue and low energy

Lab Markers on the GI-MAP Therapeutic considerations

Essential 4: Identify and eradicate any inflammatory pathogens

Large Intestine: inflammatory dysbiosis

bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, constipation, food sensitivities, compromised immunity, mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, impaired metabolism and difficulty maintaining optimal body weight, skin issues, fatigue and low energy

Presence or elevations of any pathogens

Presence or elevations in any of the Inflammatory & Autoimmune-Related Opportunistic bacteria

Elevations in any of the Commensal Inflammatory & Autoimmune-Related Bacteria

Presence or elevations of any fungi/yeast

Presence or elevations of any parasites

Elevated Occult Blood

Low or High SIgA

Elevated Calprotectin

Elevated Eosinophil Activation Protein

Eradicate pathogens, opportunistic bacteria, fungi/yeast, or parasites with eradication herbs and nutrients

Heal and seal the gut with gut healing nutrients (see Essential 2)

Support optimal digestive function to prevent re-occurrence (see Essential 1)

Area of concern Common Symptoms Lab Markers on the GI-MAP Therapeutic considerations

Essential 5: Identify and temporarily remove any inflammatory foods / ingredients

Small Intestine: food sensitivities

Bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, constipation, compromised immunity, mood disorders, cognitive issues such as brain fog, difficulty concentrating, or memory problems, nutrient deficiencies, joint pain, impaired metabolism, skin issues, headaches and migraines, respiratory symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, wheezing, or shortness of breath, fatigue and low energy

Use the MRT Food Sensitivity test by Oxford Biomedical Must be done while addressing Essentials 1, 2, 3, and 4 otherwise new food sensitivities will develop when these are removed.