With an array of microbiome tests increasingly becoming available, you may have been wondering their worth. Here, we look into just what gut testing can offer you.
By Maria Arvaniti
Why look into your microbiome profile?
If you are experiencing digestive problems, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or if you just want to see why you can’t lose weight so easily, testing your microbiome might be a good idea. Research has shown that a close look into the trillions of bacteria living in you can give you lots of valuable information. According to recent scientific studies, your gut microbiota composition can tell you a lot about:
— Your current health status
- Is your microbiota out of balance?
- Do you have pathogenic species’ growing in your gut?
— How you will react to different kinds of food or drugs
- Certain types of bacteria are linked to more effective weight loss, while others might make the process harder
- Specific bacterial strains are associated with better responses to disease treatment, such as diabetes or cancer
- The composition of the gut microbiome can predict whether IBS patients respond to a low FODMAP diet, studies have shown
Why do a dietary intervention?
You can think of your gut microbiome test as taking a snapshot of what lives in your gut. It will show you what’s in your gut at the exact moment you took the photo. Is that enough, though? Now, you have the chance to see whether changing your dietary habits has any beneficial effects on your own gut microbes.
If you‘re wondering “why do that?”, science has the answer. Studies have shown that your diet can change your gut bacteria composition and affect your well-being. Here are some scientific facts on what diet can do to your gut microbes and, of course, to your health!
1. A strictly animal-based diet – compared to a plant-based diet – can change the composition of your gut microbiome in only 5 days! Animal-based food can increase bacterial species that trigger inflammatory bowel disease.
2. A low-fiber diet can cause specific types of bacteria to grow more than usual and destroy the mucus-layer of your gut. This can make your gut more vulnerable to infections from harmful bacteria and might cause gut inflammation.
3. A diet rich in fiber can increase beneficial bacteria species in your gut! It has been shown that, following this intervention, patients with diabetes had a greater reduction of their blood sugar and lipid levels, as well as more rapid weight-loss.
So now you know that checking your gut microbes once might not really be enough. Take a picture of your gut, change your diet, and look again! The results might surprise you.
We’re actually currently offering a special dietary intervention program, RESET! Learn more here.
