Should I Test My Microbiome?

Once a specialised measurement confined to clinical and research settings, gut microbiome testing is now readily available to us all, and through the comfort of our own home. These tests claim to offer you insight into the complex ecosystem of bacteria living within your gastrointestinal tract. But what do they actually measure, and do they live up to the hype?

I worked with my colleague, Dr Holly Neill, to answer all these questions. For healthcare professionals who want to dive deeper into the topic, check out our research here. A summary of the report is below. 

What is a Gut Microbiome Test?

A gut microbiome test can reveal (from a stool sample) the different types of microorganisms present in an individual’s colon (i.e., last part of the digestive tract). Most tests only inform you on “who is there” but not exactly “what they do”. Arguably, functionality of the gut microbiome is more important. Deep shotgun sequencing tests do have this potential, but biological interpretation of results remains challenging.

Why the Hype?

Gut microbiome tests have traditionally been used within clinical and research settings. For example, in patients when there has been a severe disturbance to the microbiota (SIBO, IBD or lifelong antibiotics treatment), the gut microbiota composition can be measured at baseline and then measured again following a dietary intervention, to identify general improvements.

In research settings, gut microbiome tests have been used to advance our understanding of the role of the gut microbiome in disease risk, progression and treatment – showcasing the potential for it to be a powerful new tool in modern medicine. E.g., associations between microbial deficiencies and conditions such as colon cancer, depression and obesity (amongst many others) have been observed. Therefore, it is important to highlight that the concept itself is not considered “new” but rather the commercialisation of such tests, now offered to the general, healthy, population.

Should I Test my Microbiome?

First thing’s first – you don’t need to test your gut microbiome to start looking after your gut health. You can start today with the basics (see here). That said, it can be interesting (and motivating) for you to see which bacterial species currently reside in your gut.

But, there is no core definition for a “healthy” gut microbiome, so whilst dietary interventions can increase “good” bacteria in your gut, your gut microbiome composition will simply become “different” but not necessarily “healthier”. Microbiologists highlight that defining a single “good” or “bad” bacterium in terms of metabolic or immune performance is complicated, as it is the total microbial ecosystem composition which will determine whether a specific bacterium is favourable or not to the host.

Spend Smart: 3 considerations for at-home gut health tests

1. Ensure access to specialist support from a trained healthcare professional to help interpret the results.

2. Have realistic expectations about the information the test can provide e.g., it is unable to diagnose certain conditions; will not always capture the whole microbial community; often does not provide functionality of the gut microbiome.

3. Could money spent on an expensive gut microbiome test be used elsewhere, e.g., purchasing more fruits and vegetables, buying a gym membership or subscribing to a new mindfulness app? All these habits are known to directly or indirectly support the gut microbiome.

Take-home Message

Despite the excitement in these tests, the real gut health game-changers lie in the basics: a diverse diet, regular exercise, good quality sleep, adequate hydration, and minimising stress. Gut tests can offer intriguing, albeit sometimes limited, insights; however, it is your everyday lifestyle choices which will be your greatest tool for transforming your health from the inside out.

With advancements continuing in this field at a rapid pace, gut microbiome testing could soon become a powerful avenue for revolutionizing patient care and making gut health a cornerstone of modern medicine – via dietary interventions that can specifically target gut microbiome deficiencies.

Follow Dr Emily Prpa, leading gut health nutritionist, on Instagram (@TheNutritionReporter) for gut health tips and updates on the latest research in nutrition and health.