Description
Humans are home to trillions of bacteria. A large proportion of these bacteria reside in our gastrointestinal (GI) tract or gut. Evidence is emerging to suggest that our gut bacteria might be implicated in numerous processes particularly those relevant to the digestion and proper absorption of nutrients from our food. Our body is constantly trying to maintain a balance between different types of bacteria. Evidence suggests that some health problems might be linked to different types of gut bacteria. Some bacteria may become more or less common and these variations affect the body.
Gut dysbiosis refers to an imbalance of these bacteria in the GI tract. Bacteria such as Streptococcus and yeasts such as Candida outnumber more beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus and may adversely affect immunity and metabolism.
The urinary dysbiosis test offered by Analutos looks at various compounds in urine thought to be suggestive of an imbalance of gut bacteria. We are detecting compounds produced by these intestinal bacteria which will be transported to the urine for excretion.
The urinary dysbiosis test from Analutos looks at groups of compounds together to see if there is an overall increase / decrease compared with other relevant components. This includes:
Benzoate & Hippurate
Bacterial deamination of the amino acid phenylalanine forms benzoate, which is conjugated with another amino acid, glycine, to form hippurate. Elevated levels of benzoate compared to hippurate can indicate low levels of glycine and pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5). Benzoate can be increased due to dietary intake of certain foods.
Phenylacetate & Phenylpropionate
Formed from bacterial action on phenylalanine. Should only be present at background levels.
p-Hydroxybenzoate, p-hydroxyphenylacetate, Tricarballyate
For individuals with normal, healthy intestinal function, these compounds should not appear at more than background concentrations in urine due to the efficient metabolic conservation or recycling of phenyl group compounds of which they are composed. They are produced by microbial action on tyrosine and phenylalanine and are markers of bacterial growth in the gut. Tricarballyate binds to magnesium in the blood which can result in magnesium deficiency.
Dihydroxyphenylpropionate
DHPPA is a byproduct of the bacterial metabolism of tryptophan, phenylalanine and or tyrosine. Confirmed overgrowth of Clostridium shows elevated levels of this compound. Raised levels of this compound indicate overgrowth of Clostridia and /or Pseudomonas.
Tartarate, Citramalate and Arabinitol
These compounds are produced by gut yeast and fungi. Tartarate (tartrate), Citramalate, b-Ketoglutarate are closely related to human metabolites and can block human metabolic pathways.
Urinary Indican
Produced by bacteria in the upper bowel. Normal population of bacteria will only produce low levels of this compound. Most of the indole (of which indican is a type) produced by bacterial action in the gut is eliminated in the faeces. The remainder is absorbed, metabolised and excreted in the urine. High levels of indican in the urine suggests overgrowth of poor bacteria producing more indican than can be broken down.
Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine
Precursors of the above compounds. High or low levels of these amino acids can affect the gut dysbiosis markers.
Creatinine
Used in conjunction with specific gravity to determine the concentration of the urine pH. The pH or acidity of the urine affects the results obtained from the analysis.
