The Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA) is a test that examines the stool to determine the health of the digestive system. It provides very useful information for the quality of digestion and absorption, the balance of bacterial and yeast species, the amount of inflammation, the integrity of the intestinal lining, and the presence of parasites.

1. Digestion and Absorption

The CDSA evaluates several aspects of digestion and absorption. It can determine how well the lining of the small intestine is absorbing carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.  It can also identify deficiencies in digestive enzymes that lead to poor digestion and absorption.

2. Dysbiosis (Bacteria and Yeast Balance)

The CDSA allows for evaluation of the bacterial and yeast species living in the intestines. It measures the level of beneficial bacteria like acidophilus and bifidobacteria and identifies the presence of pathogenic bacteria and yeast species such as salmonella, clostridium, and Candida albicans.

3. Inflammation

The CDSA identifies the degree of inflammation in the digestive system. It differentiates between inflammation associated with inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and inflammation associated with other pathologies including irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Intestinal Lining Health (Leaky Gut Syndrome)

The results of CDSA provide significant information when determining the health of the intestinal lining. The number and type of inflammatory markers, food molecule particles, bacterial species, and yeast species help identify intestinal lining damage that can lead to Leaky gut syndrome.

5. Parasite Testing

The CDSA can include parasite testing if indicated. Identification of parasitic species can be invaluable, especially for people whose symptoms correlate with previous travel in the tropics or the back country.