Is a GI-MAP Test Worth It? A Comprehensive Review.

Determining the value of a GI-MAP test can be challenging. It's a personal decision influenced by one's health experiences, choices, and environment. This is a common question: Is investing in the GI-MAP test worth it for my digestive health? As a practitioner, you'll encounter this question frequently. Not everyone is ready to invest, but as a health coach or wellness professional, you must trust that clients will come when they're prepared to embark on the journey.

Is the GI-MAP test worth it? Worth the investment of time, money and discipline needed to address the root cause of gastrointestinal distress? 

To illustrate the GI-MAP test's value, let’s explore a real-life case study.

“I look six months pregnant after I eat!”

I was introduced to an acquaintance, K.T., by a mutual friend at dinner one night. As we ordered dessert, K.T. decided to pass, pointing to her notably bloated stomach. 

She said, "Oh no, this is just normal for me after I eat. I get very bloated, often having to unbutton my pants by the end of the meal even when I haven’t eaten a lot." 

Intrigued, I asked her to tell me more. 

She explained, "I have a lot of health problems, but this started in my early 20s. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a child, and then in my early 20s, I developed IBS with chronic bloating and celiac disease. I get red rashes and hives all over my body sometimes. I have a hard time losing weight and look six months pregnant after I eat."

Listening to her, I was astounded by her acceptance of what she called “warring with my body.” 

Despite the social setting, I felt compelled to share how a GI-MAP test could significantly benefit her health. She was very interested and reached out to me the following week to proceed with testing. 

My assurance to K.T. was that her body wasn’t warring with her. It was just giving her clues and signals that something wasn’t right, and that we needed more data on what was happening. Her body likely needed a rebalance and support.

Technical Benefits of GI-MAP

The GI-MAP test is one of the most accurate and sophisticated lab tests available for analyzing the gastrointestinal microbiome. Unlike other tests, GI-MAP uses qPCR technology to detect DNA of pathogens, beneficial bacteria, fungi, and parasites with high specificity and sensitivity, making it one of the most advanced digestive health tests available. This technology allows for precise identification and quantification of microorganisms, providing a comprehensive overview of the gut's microbial ecosystem. 

This detailed analysis helps practitioners develop targeted wellness plans that address the root causes of digestive imbalances. 

Case Study: K.T.'s GI MAP Journey

We received K.T.'s test results, and sure enough, some of my suspicions were confirmed. Due to her struggles with blood sugar control in the context of diabetes, this placed her at high risk for candida overgrowth in the gut and sometimes systemically. 

K.T.'s test revealed high levels of Candida and low secretory IgA, suggesting her immune system in her gut was suppressed and that she may be at risk for food sensitivities. Through a tailored four-month protocol including a food sensitivity test, we addressed these imbalances. This personalized approach alleviated her bloating, skin issues, systemic swelling, and overall signs of inflammatory imbalances.

It was incredible to watch her transformation from someone who felt imprisoned by her body to someone who ate food without fear of bloating and discomfort. This client went on to have a third pregnancy and thrived. She recounted what a unique and different experience it was, especially postpartum, because her body was so balanced. She felt less fatigue, her pregnancy weight easily came off, and she felt encouraged to nourish her body because she wasn’t afraid of food.

Transformation and Results

K.T. was even able to incorporate some gluten back into her diet, despite her celiac diagnosis. I encouraged her to do this with the utmost caution! Afterall, this was a client who, when I first met her, couldn’t touch gluten and would be sick for days to weeks on end with consumption. 

After her GI-MAP journey, K.T. was able to enjoy the occasional gluten snack because she had worked intensely on supporting the rebuilding of her gut lining throughout her protocol. 

As a practitioner, watching her metamorphosis of appreciating and working in concert with her body has been so rewarding. If you asked her today if the money, time, and effort were worth it, she would 1000% say yes.

 

 

 

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The Emotional and Psychological Journey

But that doesn’t mean it was easy for her. Every client embarks on a unique journey. They may think it is just about lab results and “fixing” the problems, but it’s about so much more than that. 

During the journey, we impress upon our clients to consider the impact of their stress levels, work-life balance, unhealthy habits and relationships, past trauma, and pain. This is hard work. Sometimes it means entering therapy. Sometimes it means embarking on a spiritual journey that they thought was just a physical one. 

As GI Mapping practitioners, we begin to open our client’s mind and teach them about true health through the GI-MAP journey. It's not just a test; it’s a wellness journey.

K.T. had to face many things beyond the symptoms of her diagnoses and constant bloating. She had to reevaluate her relationship with food. For so long, food was her enemy. We had to work on the psychological and emotional toll created by a fear of eating. Through that process, she began to learn what truly nourishing her body looked like. 

Others sometimes also have to face their reliance on alcohol. While many clients are certainly nowhere near alcoholism, they discover that maybe they are using it as a crutch rather than facing the challenge at hand. 

K.T. emerged from the GI-MAP journey realizing she had new ways of coping. The side benefit was she felt so much better by realizing outside factors that were stressing her and inhibiting her healing journey. 

Role of the GI-MAP Practitioner

Ask any practitioner in our community, all of whom have mastered the GI-MAP journey; this is what we hoped for when we chose to work in the wellness business. 

As GI Mapping practitioners, we get the privilege of being their guide and walking with our clients during the process. We may be the first provider outside of the mental health arena to address their emotional and spiritual wellness, not just the physical. 

We get to ask, “What was your childhood like? Did you experience trauma? Have you considered that it may have impacted your wellbeing early on and even your microbiome development?” Fair warning! Sometimes clients may look at you funny and ask why you are asking about that! 

Then we get to connect the dots for them on how our system, especially our microbiome, is affected by all these prior stressors that are more than just “Do you have a parasite or not.” We get to ask why the parasite stuck around and set up camp in their microbiome. That question goes much deeper than just a physical, testable answer.

Why Master GI Mapping?

Most of the training available and practitioners in this space would not connect the dots of the GI-MAP journey with the other pillars of wellness. But through our signature training program, practitioners learn that we call the process ‘a journey’ for good reason. A GI-MAP test doesn’t start and end with the lab analysis and recommendations. This is a deeper, more profound experience.

This is why we are passionate about helping practitioners and wellness coaches discover the value of the GI-MAP test and learn how to execute wellness protocols for clients. 

We know the impact it can have. If you’re considering whether a GI-MAP test is worth it, K.T.’s story exemplifies its potential to transform health. The journey isn’t just about lab results; it's about holistic wellness.

We know the value of training professionals on the execution of the test that brings results and encouraging the incredible journey to health it can catalyze. 

The primary goal of our signature training is to equip the wellness provider with the knowledge and skills to apply to every client that comes to them for help. 

I created the Mastering GI Mapping training because I fundamentally believe that by educating others on the value of the data from this test, we can collectively make a formidable impact in the digestive and overall health of people worldwide.

Join our free webinar to learn more about our unique Mastering GI Mapping program. Discover how this training can equip you with the skills to impact your clients' digestive health profoundly.