How I Use Gut Testing in My Clinical Practice to Support Individuals with MS
- elisaferguson
- Jul 2
- 2 min read
When working with clients living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), one of the most powerful tools I use in clinical practice is advanced gut testing. While symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and inflammation are often addressed with medications or supplements, the root of the issue often lies deeper — in the gut microbiome.
Why Gut Health Matters in MS
The gut isn’t just a digestive organ. It plays a central role in:
Immune regulation (over 70% of the immune system resides in the gut)
Inflammation control
Nutrient absorption and metabolism
Neurological signalling via the gut-brain axis
For many people with MS, a disrupted gut microbiome — known as dysbiosis — can fuel chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation, making symptom management more difficult and increasing relapse risk.
What I Look for in a Gut Test
In my practice, I use cutting-edge functional tests like the MetaXplore® GI Plus, which goes far beyond basic stool analysis. This test provides:
A full microbiome profile of over 28,000 microbial species (bacteria, fungi, yeasts, parasites)
Key inflammatory markers like calprotectin and zonulin (linked to leaky gut and autoimmunity)
Detection of pathogens such as Candida, C. difficile, E. coli pathotypes, and Giardia
Insight into gut metabolism, including butyrate, GABA, beta-glucuronidase, and methane production
Personalised diet, lifestyle and supplement recommendations based on the latest clinical evidence
This level of detail allows me to create a plan that’s not just reactive — it’s deeply tailored to the individual.
How I Use Results to Build Personalised Health Plans
Once your results are in, we meet for a comprehensive 1:1 consultation. Here’s what we explore together:
Your microbial landscape: Are beneficial species like Faecalibacterium or Akkermansia present? Are there signs of dysbiosis or low diversity?
Immune and inflammation status: Are markers elevated? Is there evidence of intestinal permeability?
Metabolic outputs: Are your microbes producing the right anti-inflammatory compounds? Or are they contributing to toxicity and inflammation?
Pathogens or overgrowths: We identify any unwanted microbial visitors that could be disrupting your system.
Based on this, I create a functional medicine-based plan covering:
Nutrition strategies tailored to your microbiome
Supplement protocols targeting specific imbalances
Lifestyle changes to support the gut-brain-immune axis
Nervous system regulation tools to help exit the Cell Danger Response
The Deeper Healing Opportunity
Gut testing isn’t just about improving digestion. It’s about restoring balance at the root of chronic immune dysfunction. For many people with MS, this means fewer flares, better energy, more clarity — and a renewed sense of control over their health.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or several years into your MS journey, gut testing can offer insights that transform how you feel — and how you heal.
Want to Learn More?
I offer one-off test interpretation consults and ongoing personalised support through my 1:1 programmes and KIN 12-week group programme for women with MS.