The human microbiome, more specifically the gut microbiome and the microbes living throughout the gastrointestinal tract, have become hot topics throughout the scientific community. Research currently being conducted worldwide indicates that the balance of these gut microbes may have a powerful impact on both short-term and long-term health.
Through widely available and disseminated research and content to the public, individuals outside of the scientific and medical communities are expressing a growing interest in learning about the benefits of evaluating their gut health. Certain companies have made it possible for individuals to purchase a microbiome test kit that can be ordered online, completed at home, and returned for analysis. (1)
With this surge of interest and available testing options, consumers and patients seek to understand if testing is worthwhile and which testing option is best.
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What’s the microbiome?
The human microbiome has been compared visually to a busy urban city, filled with people on the move in every direction. Inside the body, the microbiome’s “people” are instead trillions of microorganisms, composed of thousands of different species, also referred to as microbiota or microbes. Most of these microorganisms live in the large and small intestine but also can be found throughout the entire body.
Commensal species of microbes present in the microbiome include bacteria as well as viruses, fungi, and parasites. In a healthy individual, these microorganisms coexist harmoniously, starting in the oral cavity and with the highest concentrations located in the small and large intestines. The impact of the microbiome is so intertwined with the body’s daily physiological function that it’s often referred to as a supporting organ. (2)
In a healthy microbiome, beneficial bacteria coexist with potentially harmful ones. These “good bacteria” play a crucial role in maintaining health by outnumbering and keeping the harmful microbes from overgrowing. This balance supports both the microbiota and overall health. However, if this delicate balance is potentially disturbed by factors such as infection, illnesses, dietary factors, or the use of antibiotics, the body may be left more vulnerable to diseases. (2)
Changes to the microbiome’s composition resulting in low levels of commensal species or overgrowth of opportunistic or infectious organisms can lead to imbalances referred to as dysbiosis. A microbiome in dysbiosis, with reduced microbial diversity, increases the risk of pathogenic overgrowth and loss of beneficial microbes. (6) This imbalance disrupts the production of metabolic products by the microbiome, impacting the metabolome—the complete set of metabolites in the body. Changes in these metabolic products can interfere with normal metabolic functions, leading to inflammation, weakened immunity, and chronic diseases.
A large body of studies conducted in recent years supports a connection between the body’s microbial ecosystem and various health conditions including gastrointestinal disorders, colorectal cancer, (3) inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), asthma, allergies, autism, and other medical conditions. (6) With the rising awareness of the significance of gut health in chronic neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and diabetes, it’s no surprise that so much fervor exists surrounding the potential and future of microbiome-based diagnostics. (5)
What’s a microbiome test?
Healthcare providers may wish to order a gut microbiome stool test for patients presenting with concerns or questions about their gut health as a step in evaluating and managing their symptoms. Consumers with concerns or curiosity about their gut health can also order a microbiome test kit online. Testing on the customer side entails the simple process of collecting a stool sample at home and sending it back to the company for laboratory analysis.
Tests can be done to check for pathogenic bacteria as well as analyze the gut microbiome’s current composition and measure other markers of gut health like digestive markers and intestinal integrity. Analysis of the microbiome involves creating an estimation of the number of different bacteria present in the stool sample through DNA sequencing. (1)
Although research results from studies pertaining to the human microbiome are proving to be extremely exciting, they’re far from conclusive. There’s still so much that’s unknown about the microbiome, its millions of microscopic inhabitants, and the role they play in disease or drug responses.
Due to the unique composition of each individual’s microbiome and its ever-evolving composition, a microbiome test may only be able to provide a snapshot of what’s transpiring inside the body. Furthermore, as stool samples also vary in amount and variation of bacteria, based on the day, it’s likely that each sample provided will produce a different set of results.
However, test results combined with a patient’s interest in gut wellness and a healthcare provider’s expertise could provide actionable insights and steps to improve diet, lifestyle, and overall symptom management and improvement.
Choosing a microbiome test
Staying up-to-date on the testing practices of various online companies can help providers support their patients in choosing the best gut microbiome test kit to meet a patient’s expectations and specific concerns. Microbiome tests can also be costly, and it’s helpful for patients to understand what tests are being conducted on their stool sample and the level of analysis they can expect.
As some test results may also be confusing for healthcare providers to interpret and unhelpful in making a diagnosis or shaping further advice, (1) providers may wish to guide patients towards choosing preferred testing methods or a company known to provide test results in a manner that’s transparent and easy to understand.
As personal information is collected and exchanged throughout the testing process, providers should help patients understand each company’s privacy policy before purchasing a test kit. (4)
Next steps
Once testing of a stool sample is completed, the results can help healthcare providers tailor dietary, lifestyle, and supplement interventions to promote a healthier gut environment. (1) Tailoring recommendations based on microbiome test results may significantly enhance patient adherence.
Personalized recommendations resonate more with individuals because they directly address their unique health profile, making the advice more relevant and actionable. Regular monitoring through these test kits can also aid in the early detection of dysbiosis, allowing for timely interventions to prevent recurrence or relapse of health issues and the development of chronic diseases.
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