Report Insights

Understand your gut microbiome with detailed profiles.

What insights does the report provide about the gut microbiome?

The gut microbiome refers to the community of microorganisms, like bacteria, that live in our intestines. These microorganisms play a crucial role in our health.

Understanding the gut microbiome's influence can help make informed dietary choices and promote overall well-being.

Taxonomic Profile

The taxonomic profile provides insights into the types of microorganisms in the gut and their potential impact on health.

• What is Taxonomy?

Taxonomy is the scientific classification of organisms, including microbes, based on shared characteristics. In the context of microbiome testing, taxonomy refers to the identification and categorization of different microorganisms (such as bacteria, fungi, and archaea) found in your gut. This classification helps understand the diversity and composition of the microbiome, providing insights into how their levels may influence your health.

• What is the significance of microbial diversity?

This section categorizes the microorganisms present in the gut, resembling a family tree, which helps identify specific microbial types and their health implications.

• How does the Disease Susceptibility Score work?

This score evaluates the balance of protective versus harmful bacteria in the gut, estimating the risk for chronic diseases.

A higher score indicates lower risk but does not encompass the entire gut microbiome's composition or functionality.

• What does the Gut Microbiome Diversity Score indicate?

Measured by the Shannon Index, this score reflects the variety and abundance of different microorganisms, indicating the microbiome's richness and ecological stability.

• Why is the unique microbial community important?

Everyone's microbiome is unique, primarily composed of microbial DNA. This uniqueness plays a crucial role in overall health.

• Which microbial species are most abundant?

The report identifies key species in the gut, noting their roles as either pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory, which can significantly influence health outcomes.

Pro-inflammatory microbes are the ones that promote inflammatory responses. Anti-inflammatory microbes help reduce inflammation.

• What do we know about pathogen species in the gut?

This section provides insight into the presence or absence of harmful microbes (pathogens) in your gut.

It identifies types of pathogens— true pathogens, which affect healthy individuals, and opportunistic pathogens, which cause disease under certain conditions.

Knowing which pathogens are present helps assess potential risks to gut and overall health.

• What are probiotic species and why are they beneficial?

Probiotic species are beneficial microbes that help in digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune support.

This section highlights the beneficial probiotic species present and missing in your gut. It provides insight into your gut’s support for digestion, nutrient absorption, and immunity. Identifying missing probiotics helps guide dietary or supplement choices to improve gut health.

• How do health-associated commensal species support our health?

They are helpful microorganisms in your gut that support your health. They protect against infections; help absorb nutrients and enhance immunity.

This section highlights specific commensal species that are associated with positive health outcomes, showing their important role in keeping you healthy or potentially causing health issues if they’re out of balance.

• What is your enterotype and how does it affect the gut?

Your Enterotype categorizes your gut bacteria based on how they interact with you and are influenced by your genetics and diet. These microbes play a crucial role in digesting food and using its components for their energy needs, meaning that your dietary choices shape the types of microbes present in your gut.

There are three enterotypes:

• Enterotype 1: Prefers a protein-rich diet.

• Enterotype 2: Prefers a fiber-rich diet.

• Enterotype 3: Associated with a mixed diet.

This section reveals how your enterotype affects your digestion and energy extraction from food, emphasizing the importance of diet in shaping your gut microbiome and overall health.

Metabolic Profile

How Does the Metabolic Profile Reflect Gut Health?

The metabolic profile examines the gut microbiome's efficiency in processing food and producing essential metabolites.

This section analyzes how effectively the gut extracts nutrients from food, revealing that gut bacteria play a crucial role in the digestion of macronutrients.

• Macronutrient Digestion Potential

What is the potential for macronutrient digestion in the gut?

It emphasizes how gut bacteria assist in breaking down macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, maximizing the nutritional benefits of food.

• Metabolites Production Potential

What metabolites does the gut microbiome produce?

This section assesses the microbiome's ability to produce vital by-products called metabolites, which are crucial for maintaining health. These include short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), gases, neurotransmitters, and vitamins.

Why are short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) important?

SCFAs are highlighted for their roles in reducing inflammation, maintaining gut integrity, and supporting metabolism and immune responses.

What gases are produced during digestion and what do they indicate?

The production of gases, as by-products of undigested proteins and carbohydrate fermentation is explored, highlighting key gases and their potential connection to digestive discomfort.

How do neurotransmitters influence gut and brain health?

The test provides information on the ability of your gut microbes to produce neurotransmitters, which play a crucial role in regulating digestive health. These microbial metabolites are also linked to mood regulation and overall gut well-being, offering insight into the gut-brain connection.

What role do gut microbes play in vitamin production?

The test highlights the potential of your gut microbes to produce essential vitamins, especially B-vitamins. Knowing your gut's capacity to produce vitamins can guide dietary adjustments to optimize vitamin synthesis and ensure adequate nutrient intake for overall health.

The report does not diagnose health conditions or replace medical advice.