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Bowel Toxicity Test

This is a test that assesses the level of intestinal function by checking for the presence of a bowel toxemia compound called indican. A high level of indican in the urine indicates low stomach acid, maldigestion of protein, and dysbiosis (overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the bowel).

Indican is formed from partially digested proteins especially the amino acid tryptophan which is found in most proteins.  Tryptophan is broken down by harmful bacteria in the bowel creating a substance called indole. Indole is directly absorbed to the liver where it is converted into indican and removed from the body through the urine.

Increasing levels of indican in the urine indicate putrification (harmful breakdown) of protein in the intestine and bowel toxemia leading to the overgrowth of yeast, fungus, and harmful of bacteria. It also indicates a very high protein intake that overwhelms the body’s digestive system.

A positive test indicates all three are present:

  1. incompletely digested protein
  2. permeable bowel wall or “leaky gut syndrome” which can indicate the early onset of inflammation
  3. proliferation of pathogenic anaerobic bacteria in the bowel

A negative test means that not all three factors are present; it does not necessarily mean that digestion is perfect.