Digestive problems can arise from an irritated or damaged intestinal wall or a deficiency of enzymes or bile acids, and markers of food digestion play an important role in diagnostics. Stool acidity that is too high or too low may indicate a disturbance of the gut flora, and when undigested food, mucus and an abnormal consistency are found in the stool, this may indicate a dietary problem or an intestinal disorder. If starch-rich products are not tolerated, the starch content of the stool may increase and lead to an increase in yeasts such as Candida species. An increase in fat content is associated with several conditions involving the liver, gallbladder or pancreas. Fat content may also increase in people with coeliac disease when gluten is consumed, in intestinal inflammation, with parasites or when acid-suppressing medicines are used.

The module DIGESTION measures the parameters:

• pH (acidity)
• Fat
• Starch
• Plant fibres
• Colour
• Consistency