Microbiome testing

Introduction

Gut Microbiome testing is growing in popularity and is valuable tool for understanding your gut health. Today, June 27th, is World Microbiome Day, highlighting the importance of our gut microbiome. Over the past decade, our understanding of the microbiome has grown exponentially, with studies showing that a healthy microbiome influences not only digestion but also immunity and mental health. Read on to find out if microbiome testing is a step you want to take in pursuit of better health.

What is the microbiome?

The microbiome consists of trillions of microorganisms living in our gut, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes.

These microbes are crucial for regulating digestion, immune function, and brain health. A diverse and plentiful microbiome is essential for whole body and mind health.

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100 trillion gut microbes; 5,000 different species; weighing approximately 2 kilograms.

What’s a gut microbiome test?

A gut microbiome test analyses your stool sample to identify the types and amounts of microbes living in your gut. Advanced laboratory technologies are used to detect these microorganisms. Testing prices can vary from £200-£350.

Tests report on beneficial bacteria (called commensals), harmful bacteria (pathogens), and neutral bacteria.

Beneficial bacteria thrive when given a whole food, high fibre diet. Problematic bacteria thrive when we eat ultra-processed foods, high sugar and low fibre diets. Stress, past infections and antibiotics​ tip the scales towards an unbalanced microbiome, where the bad bacterial outweigh the good bacteria. In contrast, eating fermented foods, like sauerkraut, live yoghurt, kimchi and kefir, taking probiotic supplements, and managing our stress and exercise all help to improve the balance.

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Highly specialised laboratory testing involves microbial DNA sequencing of bacteria & viruses

How do you get tested?

Do-it-yourself, online, direct-to-consumer tests are popular and more and more companies are offering them. Examples are Zoe, Chuckling Goat, Biomesight, Feel Gut and Healthpath.

The testing process is simple:

    • Order a kit online.
    • Collect a stool sample following the provided instructions.
    • Send the sample to the lab for analysis.
    • Wait 2-4 weeks for your personalised report.
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Taking a tiny stool sample isn’t as bad as you think!

Can I Get Tested on the NHS?

The NHS does not offer gut microbiome testing. The NHS conducts gut function and pathology tests to detect inflammation, infections, or blood in the stool, primarily to diagnose diseases. If you have chronic digestive symptoms like diarrhoea, unexplained pain, severe constipation or other unexplained symptoms, seek medical attention.

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What private tests are available?

To clarify, there is a difference between a “microbiome test” and a “comprehensive stool test”. Understandably, most people wouldn’t know the difference. Both are available privately, but generally speaking, you’d need a referral from a nutritional therapist or dietician to get a comprehensive stool test. By comparison, you can buy the microbiome test yourself.

A microbiome-only test (done yourself online) can identify the diversity, variety, and abundance of microorganisms within your gut. Also a potential overgrowth of pathogenic or harmful bacteria, called dysbiosis. Some companies additionally offer food and probiotic recommendations via their apps.

A Comprehensive Stool Test (done by nutritional therapists & dieticians) similarly identifies your microbiome but additionally includes gut function markers to uncover the causes of potential symptoms you may be experiencing.

These typcially include:

  • Pathogens: Checking for harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
  • Yeasts and Fungi: Identifying overgrowths that might cause symptoms.
  • Gut Function Markers: Measuring inflammation, digestive enzymes, immune responses (like secretory IgA), and gut permeability.
  • Nutritional Markers: Assessing how well you digest and absorb nutrients, checking for malabsorption issues.
  • Functional Markers: Such as calprotectin for inflammation and zonulin for gut permeability, a.k.a. “leaky gut” or increased intestinal permeability.

If you’re interested in finding out more about nutritional therapy, read my other blog, what does a nutritional therapist do?

Are gut microbiome tests worth it?

The answer depends, on how much information you want to glean – are you simply curious to find out how to improve your gut health or do you have symptoms that are troubling you, that it might be best to seek professional help for?

Ask yourself, am I healthy with no symptoms and I just want to know what gut bacteria I have and what foods are best for me? If this is you, then microbiome testing is a great option.

However, if you experience persistent gut symptoms, weight issues, changes in digestion, skin complaints, have needed to take courses of antibiotics, have had gastroenteritis or IBS, diarrhoea, then a comprehensive stool test ordered through a practitioner may be the better option for you.

 

Choosing your own gut microbiome test:

    • Decide if you only want to know your microbes or you want to also find out how well your gut and digestion are working.
    • Consider whether you need professional help to interpret the results.
    • Look for companies offering online consultations and certified lab analysis.
    • Review sample reports to ensure they are easy to understand and actionable.
    • Carefully compare and contrast the prices from different companies and what you’ll get for your money.
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Dawn Rowland – Registered Nutritional Therapist

Conclusion

Gut microbiome testing offers a window into your gut health, providing valuable insights that can help you understand and improve your overall well-being.

Whether you are simply curious about your gut microbiome, want to optimise your health, or you’re experiencing digestive issues, there are many testing options available to you.

Consider if you want the DIY option to explore your microbiome yourself or alternatively, if you want a more thorough gut health and digestion analysis, in which case then contact me, an online nutritional therapist for professional guidance.

Either way, exploring the microbiome and gut health is a totally fascinating subject and very worthwhile for optimising your overall health.