INDICAN
Indican
Testing for bacterial overgrowth and stasis in the gut.
The indican status in urine is a reflection of the bacterial activity and stasis in the small and large intestine. An increased level of indican in the urine is an indication of bacterial overgrowth and / or stasis.
In the intestine the essential amino acid tryptophan is converted by bacteria into indole by splitting off a side chain. Most of the indole is excreted with the faeces. A small amount is absorbed and subsequently detoxified in the liver to indican (indoxyl potassium sulphate) and excreted in the urine.
Because most endogenous indoles formed by the body have a side chain that prevents cleavage (they are converted into skatols instead of indican), the level of indica in the urine is a good measure of the activity of the bacteria in the gut.
Usually there is little indication of urinary excretion. The amount is increased at:
- A protein-rich diet / supplementation with amino acids (tryptophan).
- Disruptions of digestion which keep the proteins longer in the gut (such as bowel obstructions, diverticulosis, gastric cancer, peptic ulcer, hypochlorhydria, biliary obstruction, pancreatic insufficiency, reduced peristalsis, scleroderma, and mal-absorption syndromes).
- An overgrowth with bacteria.
WHEN IS THE SENTENCE TO DETERMINE INDICAN IN URINE?
The indicator test in urine can be used to detect stasis and / or overgrowth with bacteria in the intestine.
COMPLEMENTARY TESTS:
- Candida antibodies (in blood)
- Faeces test
- Gut permeability
- Organic acids (in urine)