Gut Microbiome Testing: Here’s What You Need to Know

If you’re suffering from digestive issues or other gut health problems, you may have heard of the latest development in gut health research – gut microbiome testing. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at gut microbiome testing and how it can help you take control of your gut health and well-being. We’ll also explore the benefits of regular testing and how to get one. So if you want to learn more about this revolutionary new way of monitoring your gut health, keep reading!

But first, what is the Gut Microbiome?

The gut microbiome collects all the microbes (bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc.) that live in your digestive tract. These microbes play a crucial role in your gut health, helping to break down food, absorb nutrients, and keep harmful bacteria in check. In fact, the gut microbiome is so important that it’s been linked to a wide range of health conditions, from obesity and diabetes to depression and anxiety.

So how does gut microbiome testing work?

Gut microbiome testing involves taking a sample of your poop and then analysing it for the presence of different types of bacteria. It’s the same way urine samples are checked for urinary tract infections or other conditions. 

This can give you a detailed picture of the types of bacteria that are present in your gut and how they’re balanced. This information can then be used to make dietary and lifestyle changes to improve your gut health.

Why should I test my gut microbiome?

There are many reasons why you might want to test your gut microbiome. If you’re experiencing gut problems like bloating, constipation, or diarrhoea, testing can help you identify the root cause. It can also be helpful for people who want to optimise their gut health for better digestion, immunity, and general wellbeing.

Feeling constantly bloated

The feeling of bloating arises from your belly feeling full and tight, usually due to gas. But sometimes it can be more than that and is usually related to a health condition.

If a person is experiencing bloating, they may want to consider having a gut biome test. This test can help people figure out whether bloating is related to their diet. If a person has been eating or drinking foods that don’t agree with them, this can cause the gut to bloat.

Passing too much gas (Flatulence)

The process of swallowing air can cause excess gas, or too much gas can be produced during digestion, resulting in flatulence. Usually, flatulence occurs when your body is trying to get rid of excess gas, either on one side of your intestinal tract or on the other. Breaking wind, passing gas, farting, belching, and burping are common terms for flatulence.

By taking a gut biome test, you can analyse and diagnose what is causing the excessive flatulence in your body. Excessive farting may indicate that the body is responding strongly to certain foods being consumed. In this case, a person could be suffering from food intolerance or dealing with a digestive system disorder, such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).

Feeling constipated

People of all ages suffer from constipation. You may have difficulty passing stools regularly or not be able to empty your bowels. Your stools can also become stiff and lumpy, as well as abnormally large or small if you are experiencing constipation.

Gut bacteria imbalances can contribute to constipation. Bacteria in the gut play a very important role in regulating bowel motility, which affects how fast food moves through the digestive tract. An insufficient amount of motility in the gut then results in constipation. This can be detected through a gut biome test that will help to create a tailored treatment plan.

Sudden watery diarrhoea

An individual suffering from diarrhoea will experience frequent, loose, and watery bowel movements regularly. In acute diarrhoea cases, it is most likely that a virus or bacterium is to blame for the diarrhoea.

Bacterial overgrowth in the gut microbiome can result in chronic bouts of diarrhoea when your gut microbiome is imbalanced (otherwise known as gut dysbiosis). If you begin to have too many harmful bacteria in your body, and they begin to outnumber the beneficial bacteria, then your digestive tract will no longer be capable of performing its normal functions.

Regular testing can help you track the state of your gut microbiome and make necessary changes to your diet and lifestyle.

Scientific advancements in gut health research

The University of Colorado, School of Medicine, has established that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) could be caused by a unique bacteria within the gut of patients predisposed to the autoimmune disease. 

With the assistance of a team of Stanford University researchers headed by Bill Robinson, MD, PhD, the CU researchers are testing immune cells taken from people who are at high risk for contracting the disease based on their blood markers. After mixing the antibodies with the faeces of the at-risk individuals, the bacteria detected by the antibodies were identified.

This interesting study could be a breakthrough in discovering the triggers for rheumatoid arthritis and potentially help medical professionals find suitable treatments for at-risk patients.

Lab Gut Biome Testing with Eternal Being

The key step to better gut health is understanding your gut biome’s state. Lab Gut Microbiome testing can give a person an idea of the types and amounts of microorganisms in their gut. This test can help identify imbalances in gut bacteria, potentially leading to improved digestion and overall health.

Whether you are suffering from digestive problems, experiencing constipation or just concerned about your gut health, then gut microbiome testing is a great way to understand what might be happening in your gut.

At Eternal Being, gut microbiome testing can help us better understand what’s happening inside your digestive system. It can provide valuable insight into potential health issues and their impact on your overall well-being. It can also provide knowledge about the overall state of your gut, this will allow us to understand what the next steps are for you.

If you’re considering a gut microbiome test, contact us here, and we can put together a personalised treatment plan for you.