Urinary indican is an effective screening tool for assessment of protein digestion, dysbiosis, small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and malabsorption states. Also known as indoxyl sulfate, indican is produced when there is putrefaction of tryptophan from dietary protein by dysbiotic (imbalanced) bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.

Common symptoms include: Gas, diarrhea, constipation, bad breath, bloating, weight gain, allergies, asthma, arthritis, headaches, skin conditions, nervous system problems, and colon toxicity.

Protein Digestion and Putrefaction

Compromised amino acid or protein digestion can be caused by insufficient gastric hydrochloric acid, insufficient digestive enzymes, adverse food reactions, parasitic infection, fungal infection, an overgrowth of bacteria that metabolize specific proteins, hypermotility of the small intestine, or other gastrointestinal dysfunction.

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a condition in which the small bowel contains excess bacteria, and is often thought to occur in patients with known anatomical or motility disturbances. It can be a cause of diarrhea, abdominal pain, or protein and fat malabsorption with vitamin deficiencies.

Urinary assessment of liver health

At the centre of detoxification within the digestive system complex is the liver, and damage to liver cells will compromise health. A healthy diet is central to a healthy lifestyle, but a sick and under-functioning digestive system, including poor liver function, will unfortunately compromise a quality diet and maintain a stimulus for chronic stress. Therefore, performing bile acid testing is important in any functional health practice.