Calprotectin is a member of the s100 calcium and zinc-binding protein family. It is a complex of S100A8 and A100A9 and is released by neutrophils. Neutrophils migrate to the site of inflammation and release AMPs there. While calprotectin can be used to determine the degree of inflammation, it cannot determine the source or the exact cause of inflammation.
Elevated fecal calprotectin levels have been seen in IBD, colon cancer, and NSAID enteropathy, thus calprotectin is a sensitive but not specific marker of intestinal inflammation.
This marker is often used as part of diagnostic workup in IBD, but it is not definitively diagnostic on its own. Calprotectin can also be used clinically to differentiate IBS from IBD, or to monitor degree of inflammation in someone already diagnosed with IBD.
Follow diet, lifestyle, and phytonutrient recommendations to lower inflammation. Always work to determine root causes of inflammation.
Calprotectin can be elevated with chronic NSAID use, GI infections (bacterial or parasitic), malignancy, or obesity.
Repeat calprotectin levels in 4-8 weeks. Assess next to other makers of inflammation on Vibrant Gut Zoomer. Refer to GI specialist for further workup if calprotectin remains persistently elevated.
Five polyphenols in particular have evidence of benefit in treating gut inflammation:
- resveratrol,
- epigallocatechin,
- curcumin,
- quercetin,
- and Boswellia.
Sleep, diet, exercise and stress management should be evaluated.
Be cautious with medications such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, especially in children.
Calprotectin is a protein released by neutrophils—a type of immune cell—when inflammation is present in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Because it remains stable in stool, it serves as a reliable, non-invasive marker for detecting gut inflammation. Elevated calprotectin levels are commonly associated with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, but they can also rise in response to infections, intestinal irritation, or certain medications (especially NSAIDs). On the Gut Zoomer panel, this marker helps distinguish between functional symptoms (like IBS) and structural or inflammatory conditions that may require deeper medical evaluation.
What a Medium (Orange) Result Means
A medium-range (orange) calprotectin result suggests mild to moderate inflammation in the intestinal lining. This level does not typically indicate severe disease but does point to an active inflammatory process that should not be ignored. Common contributors include recent infections, food-triggered inflammation, dysbiosis, increased gut permeability, or early inflammatory bowel disease. In this range, clinicians often look for symptom patterns, rule out recent NSAID use, and may recommend further testing or follow-up—especially if gastrointestinal symptoms persist or escalate.
Calprotectin
