My Nutritional Therapy Tool Box: The GI-MAP Stool Test

I have a collection of tools at my disposal that I use to customize and build a gut healing plan for each of my clients. 

These tools include things like the NAQ that I talked about in my last blog post (check out that post HERE if you missed it) and functional tests like the GI-MAP stool test and the MRT food sensitivity test. 

I like to refer to these tests and assessments as tools in my tool box.

When getting started with a new client I pull out my tool box and get to work building a custom plan for them.

No two clients' plans will look the same because no two clients are the same. 

We are all bioindividual. 

Meaning what works for one person's bio or body won’t necessarily create the same results in another person’s body. 

There is a lot of fascinating and detailed work that goes into this customization process.

This is why over the course of the next few blog posts I’m going to be sharing an exclusive behind the scenes peek into my practice and the tools I have in my nutritional therapy practitioner tool box that help me get amazing results for my clients. 

After pulling back the curtain in my workshop, you’ll understand how I will use these tools to identify and resolve your digestive issues and help you heal your gut. 

Today we are diving into the world of stool testing and looking at the GI-MAP test. 

This is hands down my favorite tool in my tool box.

GI-MAP stands for Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus. 

The GI-MAP is an at home stool test that can be done, you guessed it, at home.

I love this because I can work with clients throughout North America and not have to sacrifice the leg up we get from functional testing, while still conducting all of our work remotely. 

You don’t have to go anywhere or see anyone to do this test, you collect your sample in the privacy of your own home and put it in a box. 

It’s as simple as that. 

You can even have Fedex pick up your packaged sample from your front door. 

The GI-MAP is a one day stool sample so you only have to collect once and then you’re done. 

I’ve worked with other stools tests that are multi-day tests and require clients to collect multiple times over the course of a few days. 

Poo in your fridge? No thank you.

Now that you know a bit about the logistics of conducting the GI-MAP, let’s talk about what I do with the information I get from the test. 

First, the lab sends me a comprehensive 5 page report.

I share this report with you and we go over the findings together. 

I’ve included a sample report below so you can see the details included. 

The first page of the report shows pathogens like bacteria, parasites or viruses that may be the cause of acute symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting. 

These are some of the ‘bad guys’ that we don’t want in your microbiome. 

The second page shows H. Pylori, virulence factors and lists commensal bacteria. 

Commensal bacteria are the ‘good guys’ that we want to make sure you have enough of in your microbiome.

The next page goes into bacteria and other microbes that can get overgrown and create an imbalance in the gut microbiome. 

This is where bacteria associated with autoimmune conditions and yeast that can cause Candida overgrowth come into play.

The next page tells me about parasites, worms and overall intestinal health markers.

The intestinal health markers section tells me if your digestion is functioning properly by measuring a few key areas like fat digestion, pancreatic enzyme secretion, immune function and blood in your stool.

We see markers for leaky gut and gluten reactivity on the GI- MAP as well. 

As you can tell, the GI-MAP gives me an enormous amount of information about what is happening (or not happening) in your digestive system. 

Not only does the GI-MAP test for the presence of digestive pathogens, it also measures the quantity or amount of each pathogen or commensal bacteria present.

Not all stool tests measure quantity. This can be very important information to consider when building a healing plan. 

The GI-MAP gives me priceless information about the makeup of your gut microbiome and it makes it possible for me to pinpoint what is causing your diarrhea, gas, bloating, undigested food in your stool and more. 

Not only can I see what is happening inside, with this information I am able to recommend targeted supplementation and targeted dietary recommendations to address the specific digestive imbalances that YOU have. 

I use this test with everyone I work with, as there really is no substitute to gaining this information. 

But this information is only as valuable as what we do with it. 

I use your test results to customize a diet and supplement schedule for you in order to create balance in your gut and eliminate your symptoms like bloating, gas, diarrhea, rashes, even food sensitivities. 

I’ve worked with clients who have run stool tests before and didn’t feel like they got the symptom relief they were looking for.

That’s where my nutritional therapy training comes in. 

It’s not enough to simply have this information. 

It’s how we use this information that is important. 

The GI-MAP is one tool in my tool box.

I attribute my success with clients overcoming their most challenging digestive issues to the power of this functional test. 

So many of the digestive symptoms I see can originate from more than one potential root cause. 

For example, say you have diarrhea. 

Without testing, we don’t know if you have diarrhea because you aren’t digesting your fat properly, if you’re eating foods that are creating an inflammatory immune response or if you have an inflammatory bacteria in your gut that is causing it.

With the GI-MAP we can tell which of those is the cause and we can take action to resolve it quickly.  

The GI-MAP takes the guessing, trial and error and anxiety of the unknown out of the picture.

It saves you time, energy and money. Not to mention, it provides clear answers to your questions. 

One of the most common things I hear from new clients is they want to know WHAT is causing their issues. 

This test holds the answers. 

When you sign up to work with me in my 1:1 6 month program, 2 GI-MAP stool tests (pre test and post test) are included in the price of the package. I do not sell GI-MAP stool tests as individual services, as I use them as a tool in creating a comprehensive gut healing plan for my clients. 

If you’re ready to get clear on what is causing your gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, nausea or any other annoying digestive issues you’ve been having, the first step is to book a FREE Gut Health Discovery call with me HERE so you can start your gut healing journey and get answers by looking inside your digestive system with a GI-MAP stool test.