Gut Health Testing
Meet your Microbiome
Bloating, constipation, IBS, allergies, mood problems, skin complaints, autoimmune conditions….all common health issues that may be rooted to inbalances in the gut.
Research continues to show the connection between the gut and over all health.
Microbiome testing is a rapidly evolving area of science that provides an insight into the types of microbes living in our gut and the impact they have on the immune system.
What is the Microbiome?
Our digestive tract is home to trillions of microbes collectively known as the gut flora or microbiome. Some are beneficial while others are potentially harmful. In a healthy body, they all exist together without problems. However, if there is a disturbance in that balance brought on by infections, illness, poor diet, or antibiotics, imbalances can occur. This can leave the body vulnerable to disease.
The microbiome is a living dynamic environment where the relative abundance of species may fluctuate daily, weekly, and monthly depending on diet, medication, exercise, exposure to natural daylight and green spaces, and even emotional stress.
The microbes in the gut require fibre known as prebiotics, which they use as fuel to survive. A high fibre diet is essential to determine the type and amount of bacteria living in the gut.
What is Microbiome testing?
This involves measuring the type of microbes living in the gut. It identifies patterns in the unique composition of the microbiome. This provides detailed information on:
- A comprehensive list of the microbial species present.
- Microbial diversity.
- Their potential to produce substances associated with inflammation.
- Take positive steps to reinforce existing ‘good’ bacteria. Diet and lifestyle factors promote the growth of beneficial species.
- Keep the gut microbiome in balance. A healthy microbiome is diverse. A narrowing of species present indicates disturbances in the gut.
- Learn about the metabolic functions of different species of microbes such as digesting fiber and protein to producing thousands of substances that interact with our immune system, metabolism and nervous system.
There is now compelling evidence to suggest gut health is closely linked to the following health areas:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Anxiety and Depression
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Autoimmune Disease
How does the test work?
You will receive a stool test kit in the post. Once you return the sample and the test is complete, you will receive a detailed report and a consultation with a nutritionist to discuss your results.
A personalised action plan will be created. This will be evidence-based diet and lifestyle recommendations.
Read more about the next generation sequencing (NGS) gut microbiome test.
Will I benefit from a Microbiome test?
- IBS (constipation/diarrhoea/bloating/gas)
- Severe food poisoning
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Autoimmune Disease
- Repeated antibiotics
- Long term use of pharmaceuticals
- Acid reflux, use of Proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole)
- Bile salt malabsorption
- Chronic urinary tract infections or thrush
- Skin conditions
- Allergies / food intolerances / histamine issues
- Frequent viral or bacterial infections (including dental)
- Constant brain fog / muscle or joint pain
- Constant fatigue