The gut microbiome is a collection of microorganisms that live inside your digestive tract and help with everything from nutrient absorption to hormone production. But when those bacteria get out of balance, it can lead to digestive issues, such as diarrhea or constipation. A number of companies now offer tests that look at the good and bad microbes in your gut and provide dietary recommendations based on your results.
These at-home tests allow people to collect a stool sample, then send it to a lab for analysis. They claim to identify which types of bacteria, archaea, fungi and viruses are living in a person’s digestive system. Some companies, like ZOE, also offer a personal score and a list of the 15 most common microbes in their customer’s gut microbiome, along with a personalized report that suggests dietary adjustments.
Most of these tests use DNA sequencing to find out which types of bacteria are in a person’s stool. But, according to Guts UK, the technology can only give a snapshot of an ecosystem that is always changing. Plus, most of these tests only identify the number of specific bacteria and don’t offer information about which microbial genes they have or what functions those genes carry out. This is a significant drawback compared to older-style 16S rRNA tests, which offer more detailed results and can see which bacterial species are present in a stool sample, for example, whether it has H. pylori, which can cause stomach ulcers.
A few companies test for more than just the gut microbiome, including the pricier Viome, which offers a Full Body Intelligence Test that combines a person’s stool sample with an examination of their blood. This allows the company to look at a person’s cellular metabolism and biological aging process, for instance, by examining pathways for lipid synthesis, oxalate metabolism and more.
While these tests can be helpful, a doctor should still be consulted before undergoing any testing or taking any new supplements. The reason is that the microbiome is just one piece of a larger puzzle, and it’s often hard to connect a person’s gut health with their symptoms.
In addition, many gut conditions are multifactorial and can be caused by multiple things, including antibiotics and other medications, certain foods or a lack of exercise. For these reasons, the best way to support gut health is to eat a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fiber, which feeds the probiotic bacteria in your digestive system and helps them thrive. Supplements can help, too, but the best ones are tailored to your individual needs. The best place to start is with a professional evaluation of your digestive health by a doctor or gastroenterologist. Alternatively, you can take a food sensitivity test or speak with a nutritionist who specializes in digestive health. For more information, check out our 2024 Editors’ Choice for the best gut microbiome test.
