An abnormal result in one or both of these phylum suggest imbalanced normal microbes in the GI tract.

Gram-negative Bacteroidetes and grampositive Firmicutes are bacterial phyla that dominate the entire human digestive tract, including the mouth, nose, throat, and colon. 

In adults, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes are the most abundant bacterial phyla in the gut. The Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B) abundance ratio was shown to increase from infancy to adulthood and subsequently to decrease again in the elderly. Elevated F/B ratios have been linked to obesity though the evidence is not conclusive.

The "Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes Ratio" is an important marker that provides insights into the composition of gut microbiota. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes are two major groups of bacteria commonly found in the human gut. Each plays a critical role in digestion and overall health. The ratio between these two types of bacteria can indicate different states of gut health and has been linked to various conditions. For instance, an imbalance, often reflected in a higher Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, has been associated with obesity and other metabolic disorders. Conversely, a lower ratio might be observed in leaner individuals. This marker helps healthcare providers understand the bacterial balance within a patient’s gastrointestinal tract, offering clues about the patient's metabolic health and potential digestive issues. Analyzing this ratio allows practitioners to recommend specific dietary or therapeutic interventions aimed at restoring a healthy balance of gut microbiota, thereby improving the patient's overall health.

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can range from mild to severe, potentially leading to hospitalization and, in some cases, death.

The GI-MAP includes results for detection of H. pylori antibiotic resistance genes. If an antibiotic resistance gene is present, then that class of antibiotics is designated POSITIVE for antibiotic resistance. A positive result for the presence of resistance genes for a given antibiotic indicates that the antibiotic is not an ideal choice for an antibiotic protocol. Since microbes can rapidly share DNA under stress, the presence of antibiotic resistance is reason enough to avoid that drug class.

Folate (Folic Acid) is needed to produce blood cells and other new tissue cells. Folate is a generic term for a group of pteridine compounds essential for one-carbon unit metabolism. Folates are involved in the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and tRNA necessary for cell growth. Folates are required for metabolism of methionine, histidine, tryptophan, glycine, serine, and formate. Interactions with Vitamin B6 and B12 also occur from common metabolic pathways. Folate function is necessary to prevent accumulation of homocystine. Deficient folate status of pregnant females is also directly linked to incidence of birth defects, especially neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

Folate is the naturally occurring form found in foods; folic acid is the supplement/synthetic form. Folate is more bioavailable.

Once in circulation, folate gets methylated.

Methyl-tetrahydrofolate is the most abundant folate in circulation and it functions with vitamin B12 in methylation reactions to reduce
homocysteine, but is also involved in DNA synthesis, and red blood cell synthesis.

Folate is a water-soluble vitamin essential for cell growth and division. RBC folate determination is obtained by measuring the folate concentration in a whole blood (WB) hemolysate solution and dividing it by the patient’s hematocrit (Hct; %). 

This is an intermediary biomarker that is used to calculate Folate, RBC. There is no reference range provided by the laboratory, hence please refer to the actual "Folate, RBC" marker instead.

Folates are compounds of pteroylglutamic acid (PGA) that function as coenzymes in metabolic reactions involving the transfer of single-carbon units from a donor to a recipient compound. Folate, with vitamin B12, is essential for DNA synthesis, which is required for normal red blood cell maturation. Humans obtain folate from dietary sources including fruits, green and leafy vegetables, yeast, and organ meats. Folate is absorbed through the small intestine and stored in the liver.

Folinic Acid (5-formyl THF), is an active and reduced form of folate. In the body, folinic acid may be converted into any of the other active forms of folate. Supplying the body with folinic acid bypasses many of the required metabolic steps, and it is rapidly converted to 5MTHF.

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is a pituitary hormone that regulates growth, sexual development and reproduction, including menstruation, follicular development and ovulation.

Artificial food colorings are used extensively in foods, and humans are regularly exposed to them by ingestion. These chemical colorants form adducts (bonds or “bridges”) with proteins in humans; therefore, measuring the antibodies to these colorants will indicate whether or not they are responsible for a person's immune or autoimmune reaction. A person may not react to a particular food; however, they may react to the food once its protein is bound with an artificial colorant. It is important to note that we are talking about food proteins binding to artificial food colorants, and vice-versa. The binding of artificial colorants to a food protein may increase the food’s antigenicity and ability to cause an enhanced immune reaction in patients.

Formaldehyde is an organic compound. Formaldehyde-based materials are common to the manufacture of automobiles. Formaldehyde-containing resins – melamine formaldehyde, ureaformaldehyde, phenolformaldehyde, carbamide formaldehyde – are used as a binder in plywood and particleboard production, home furnishings, household cleaners, paints, textiles, landscape and yard products, medicinal and personal care products, pesticides, fire retardation, increased water repellency, stiffness, carpeting made with synthetic fibers, and wrinkle-resistance in fabric finishing; paper products treated with formaldehyde include paper bags, waxed paper, paper towels, and disposable sanitary products; in the health care industry, formaldehyde is used in disinfectants, preservatives, and embalming fluid. Thus, formaldehyde exposure occurs in multiple home and work environments. Formaldehyde has been classified as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Formaldehyde is an organic compound. Formaldehyde-based materials are common to the manufacture of automobiles. Formaldehyde-containing resins – melamine formaldehyde, ureaformaldehyde, phenolformaldehyde, carbamide formaldehyde – are used as a binder in plywood and particleboard production, home furnishings, household cleaners, paints, textiles, landscape and yard products, medicinal and personal care products, pesticides, fire retardation, increased water repellency, stiffness, carpeting made with synthetic fibers, and wrinkle-resistance in fabric finishing; paper products treated with formaldehyde include paper bags, waxed paper, paper towels, and disposable sanitary products; in the health care industry, formaldehyde is used in disinfectants, preservatives, and embalming fluid. Thus, formaldehyde exposure occurs in multiple home and work environments. Formaldehyde has been classified as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.