Gut Microbiome Testing: The Future of Personalized Nutrition?

Gut Microbiome Testing: The Future of Personalized Nutrition? 

The field of gut health has exploded over the last decade—and the science is clear: your gut is fundamental to your overall health. Although there is still so much to learn, this cutting-edge research has already shown us the gut plays a key role in: 

• Preventing chronic disease (cancer, type 2 diabetes, etc.) 
• Immunity 
• Managing inflammation 
• Skin health 
• Mental health 

In response to these discoveries, it is now possible to get your gut microbiome tested — you can see if you’re on the right track to reaping all these benefits!  

There has been a lot of talk recently about “personalized nutrition”, where dietary recommendations are individualized rather than universal. Could it be that this personalization should be based on our unique gut microbiomes? Keep reading to find out! 

What information can we learn from a gut microbiome test? 

Different microbiome tests provide different information. Usually the main focus is on which bacterial species are present in your gut, including specific probiotic (beneficial) bacteria, commensals (neutral), pathobionts (potentially harmful), and pathogens (disease-causing). Bacterial species may be further categorized by those that produce specific metabolites such as various neurotransmitters and short-chain fatty acids (compounds produced by gut bacteria thought to underlie many of the associated health benefits). 

Higher quality tests not only tell you about which bacteria are present, but also quantifies them. This reveals which bacteria you are lacking or have an overgrowth of – critical information that enables specific dietary and supplement recommendations tailored to you. Simply knowing which bacteria are present doesn’t tell us whether they’re in the right proportions, and it’s an unbalanced microbiome (known as “dysbiosis”) that is linked to poorer health outcomes.

Some examples of common gut microbiome profiles we see include: 

• Low levels of probiotic bacteria 
• High levels of pathobiont bacteria
• Low overall bacterial diversity 
• Constipation or diarrhea-predominant
• High histamine-producing bacteria 
• +More! 

So, once we understand what your gut microbiome looks like, what do we actually do with that information? 

Using your gut microbiome test results to take action

Once you have your test results, we can apply the extensive evidence that exists surrounding which foods and supplements affect our gut microbiome in different ways. For example, grapes can increase levels of a beneficial probiotic bacteria called Akkermansia thanks to anti-inflammatory compounds in the grapes called polyphenols. So, someone whose gut test revealed low Akkermansia levels may simply opt to include more grapes in their diet. 

The key thing to note here is the personalization aspect of this process. One probiotic strain may completely resolve one person’s symptoms while significantly worsening another’s, depending on their individual gut microbiomes. And that’s where gut microbiome testing really shines. It removes the guesswork. Instead of blindly trying every popular diet and supplement trend, only to see no results and be out hundreds of dollars, gut testing provides a solid plan customized to you! 

Who might benefit from getting a gut microbiome test? 

The answer is simple: virtually anyone! If you are interested in optimizing your health, even if you don’t currently suffer from any specific symptoms or conditions, gut microbiome testing can improve your current and future wellbeing. 

Of course, it may be particularly beneficial for you if you are dealing with gastrointestinal issues (painful bloating, constipation, diarrhea, etc.) and wish to uncover the root cause. However, as highlighted above, your gut microbiome is not only about digestive health, but also chronic disease prevention through its role in metabolic, immune, and mental health. Therefore, signs of gut dysbiosis can take many forms that have nothing to do with digestion—low mood, poor sleep, acne, brain fog, and that’s just the start! Sound familiar? If so, a gut microbiome test could be the piece of the puzzle you’ve been missing to unlock your healthiest self! 

Additionally, if you have taken antibiotics either recently, or have a history of chronic use, a gut test may be particularly useful as antibiotics very often lead to dysbiosis. Other common contributors of dysbiosis worth exploring include chronic stress, sleep deprivation, various medications, a sedentary lifestyle, and a low fibre/Western-style eating pattern. 

One important note:, if you suffer from any severe gut disorders or symptoms, it is highly recommended to work 1-on-1 with a gut health-specialized Registered Dietitian. They may utilize microbiome testing as one tool, but a more in depth approach with ongoing support is necessary to address complex medical conditions or history. 

So how do I get started? 

Interested in getting a gut microbiome test? We have several offerings that include this service, ranging from a highly affordable GutScan test paired with RD-interpreted results and recommendations, to a more premium version that includes 1-on-1 consultation. Click here to learn more or click here to book!