Knowing the Gut Microbiome
Studies in genetics have given much detail about the bacteria that our bodies host- yes, bacteria, the micro-organisms and a huge collection of them are found in the gut. This collection of bacteria in the gut is called the Gut Microbiome (GM). Recent health news has been trending around gut health and how can your GM contribute towards a healthy life.
GM is made of both good and bad bacteria. Their composition can tell a lot about the state of your health. From helping to maintain body-mass index (BMI) to insights in diabetes and obesity, knowing about the gut microbiome can be therapeutic.
What can you expect from a Gut Microbiome Test?
Your GM is uniquely yours which is why a generic approach or going with assumptions about the health of your gut might not be very helpful. While your stool can be an indicator of your gut health, a GM test can get down to the specifics.
Ideally, this is what your GM test report must cover:
- The entire picture of your gut microorganisms: The good, the bad, the types, the amount in which they’re present- GM diversity
- Indicators of GM imbalance (if any), missing strains of bacteria, the type of Gut you have- the structure, how your diet shapes it.
- Possible health implications of your gut type and GM on skin health, disease prevention or cause, hormonal levels
- Nutrition: trigger foods, suggestions for a balanced diet, vitamin, mineral deficiencies and how to chalk it out.
Due to a growing demand for knowing the gut profile, multiple brands in the market offer different types of tests that have all the basic elements mentioned above. The detailing and interpretation of your GM might not be consistent across the various types of GM tests.
Pay attention to how your health changes after the GM test. In the meantime, there are few ways in which you can be mindful of your gut health such as through dietary and lifestyle changes.
How do they test for the GM? It’s simple. You have to get a swab of your stool sample delivered at the lab of your choice and wait for the report.
Knowing your Gut Microbiome (GM) profile can provide missing insights into your overall health, its maintenance, and what can you do about it. There are various types of Gut Microbiome Testing kits available in the market to choose from however the scope of the information they provide may not be the same. The article mentions basic expectations from a GM test report.
Want to know more ways of knowing about GM and its effects on health? Check out the Gut health section.