5 Signs You Need a Gut Health Stool* Test (and What to Do Next)
Jan 23, 2025
*yes, stool test = poop test
Your gut health plays a crucial role in your overall well-being, affecting everything from digestion to immunity and even mental health. But how do you know if your gut is out of balance? A gut health stool test can provide essential insights into your digestive system and microbiome. In this post, we'll explore five clear signs (and there are many more!) that indicate it's time to prioritize your gut health and how the GI-MAP Stool Test (that you can order through KWC) can guide you toward better overall health.
- Persistent Digestive Issues
- If you frequently experience bloating, gas, constipation, hemorrhoids, or diarrhea, your gut may be signaling an intestinal imbalance (what I like to call a gut-gut dysfunction!). These symptoms could be caused by dysbiosis (which is just a fancy term for an imbalance of the good and bad bacteria in your intestines), food sensitivities, or infections (increased bad bacteria, parasites, yeast, or a combo of each!). The GI-MAP Stool Test can identify harmful pathogens (the bad bacteria), bacterial overgrowth (of good or bad bacteria), and digestion insufficiencies. Knowing if these are present in your own gut can provide a clear path toward your relief.
- Chronic Fatigue and Low Energy
- Feeling constantly drained despite getting enough consistent sleep? Poor gut health can hinder the way bacteria perform their digestive function, which in turn can alter nutrient absorption, leaving your body deprived of essential vitamins and minerals (what I like to call a gut-metabolic dysfunction!). This can result in fatigue and sluggishness. Testing your gut health can uncover bacterial imbalances that may be affecting your energy levels and help you take targeted action.
- Frequent Illness or Weakened Immunity
- Over 70% of your immune system resides in your gut and gut-lining. If you're constantly catching colds or dealing with infections, your gut microbiome may be compromised (what I like to call a gut-immune dysfunction!). A GI-MAP Stool Test can reveal issues like low beneficial bacteria in your microbiome, or hidden elevated levels of infectious bacteria in your microbiome that might be weakening your immune defenses. Knowing if these are present in your own gut can provide a clear path toward a healthier, happier immune system.. and less frequent sniffles!
- Skin Problems (Acne, Eczema, Rosacea)
- Skin issues are often a reflection of what's happening internally in your intestines (what I like to call a gut-skin dysfunction!). Conditions like acne, eczema, and rosacea can be linked to inflammation, food sensitivities, and gut dysbiosis (there’s that fancy word again- meaning an imbalance of the good and bad bacteria in your intestines). By analyzing your gut health through a stool test, you can uncover the root cause(s) and begin to heal your skin health by starting with your gut health. (P.S. Streptococcus overgrowth in the gut is the usual culprit of acne, which is usually due to overgrowth of this bacteria in the oral cavity/mouth.)
- Unexplained Weight Gain or Difficulty Losing Weight
- Struggling to manage your weight despite a healthy diet and exercise? Gut imbalances (high or low levels of bacteria or digestive enzymes) can disrupt your metabolism, increase inflammation, and alter hunger hormones, making weight management difficult (again, what I like to call a gut-metabolic dysfunction!). The GI-MAP Stool Test can help pinpoint these disruptions so you can address them effectively and be on the right path to your weight goals.
๐ Ready to Take Control of Your Gut Health?
Don't let these symptoms control your life. The GI-MAP Stool Test offers a comprehensive look at your gut health, identifying pathogens, imbalances, and digestive dysfunctions. Take the first step toward healing today. I can even sit with you and help you analyze afterward so we can establish a personalized gut health plan together!
Additional Tips for Gut Health:
- Prioritize a diet rich in whole, fiber-packed foods.
- Manage stress with relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga.
- Stay hydrated to support digestion and detoxification.
- Incorporate probiotic and prebiotic foods into your daily routine.
Your gut health is the foundation of your overall well-being. If you're experiencing any of these five signs, it's time to listen to your body and take action. The GI-MAP Test can provide the answers you need to restore balance and improve your health.
๐ Discover what's really going on inside your gut. Start with the GI-MAP Test today!
Enhance Your Gut Healing Journey:
- Access professional-grade supplements at Fullscript to fill in any dietary gaps and support your microbiome balance.
- Support your body naturally with JuicePlus+ for essential nutrients that promote a healthy microbiome.
Your path to optimal wellness starts with understanding your gut. Let Kalberer Wellness Cares guide you every step of the way.