The gut-brain axis is real: Your gut directly affects your mood, energy, and overall health. An unhealthy microbiome can trigger chronic symptoms that quickly disrupt your normal life.
Dr. Inga Zilberstein is an experienced OB/GYN who offers personalized medicine with the help of tools such as GI MAP™ testing, Dutch testing, and organic acid testing (OAT) to get to the bottom of your symptoms and develop a customized treatment plan.
This blog focuses on GI MAP testing and connecting your chronic symptoms to your digestive health.
Digestive health is more than just digestion and occasional diarrhea or constipation. It’s a central aspect of your physical well-being that influences just about everything in the body.
The gut microbiome contains trillions of fungi, good and bad bacteria, and other microbes. These play a role in immune function, digestion, hormone regulation, and some parts of brain function.
Over half of the immune system sits in the gut, training cells to distinguish between harmful pathogens and healthy microbes. When there’s an imbalance, immune cells attack harmless substances, leading to chronic inflammation.
The term gut-brain axis refers to how the gut communicates with the brain via the vagus nerve and the enteric nervous system. This axis produces and regulates certain neurotransmitters, including serotonin.
When the gut microbiome isn’t healthy, or when chronic inflammation occurs, you can experience symptoms that don’t seem gut-related. Migraines, chronic fatigue, brain fog, certain skin conditions, and anxiety could be due to an unhealthy gut.
Your gut also affects mood, contributing issues like depression and insomnia. Hormone regulation also stems from the gut, so hormone imbalances and thyroid issues may occur with an unhealthy gut microbiome.
If you're experiencing unexplained, uncomfortable symptoms, talk to Dr. Zilberstein. GI MAP testing identifies gut microbiome issues and can reveal what’s behind your symptoms.
The GI MAP (gastrointestinal microbial assay plus) test is a stool test that uses quantitative PCR to assess gut pathogens and microbes, indicators of your overall gut health. It tests for more than 85 biomarkers, including viruses, fungi, and parasites.
It also reveals other markers of inflammation, digestion, and immune function, offering insight into what’s happening in your gut-brain axis.
GI MAP testing is the best way to assess your gut health. It can help women who are experiencing symptoms of hormonal imbalances and chronic inflammation, especially when other tests aren’t providing answers.
After the lab tests your stool sample, they send Dr. Zilberstein a detailed explanation of the findings. The GI MAP test measures several things, including:
Your test results can help uncover the cause of your chronic digestive issues, autoimmune conditions, or unexplained fatigue and mood disorders. What the GI MAP test reveals guides you to more effective treatment and better health outcomes — that’s precision medicine.
Dr. Zilberstein interprets your results and creates a personalized plan to help you feel better, achieve lasting relief from your chronic symptoms, and support your overall wellness.
Learn more about how your gut is affecting your health. Schedule your GI MAP test with Dr. Zilberstein today by calling or texting 830-254-5941 or by sending a message through the website
