06/11/2025
WHICH MICROBIOME TEST?
There seem to be a massive number of microbiome (stool analysis) tests available online and recently more clients have come to me with results of a stool test they have ordered themselves and are trying to fathom the results. Unfortunately, these tests often don't give us much actionable information, just broad information on the more commonly found bacteria in the gut and advice around improving microbial diversity, increasing dietary fibre and using more fermented foods and prebiotics (increasing these foods can cause a flare up of symptoms if there is a small intestinal bacterial overgrowth present).
Whilst these this type of information can be useful for those with mild issues or an interest in improving their gut health generally, if you have long term gut issues and want to get to the root cause of the issue it is much better to choose a test that will give you more specific information about particular microbes and the types of chemicals they are producing (e.g histamine, endotoxins, methane...)
Invivo recently released their 'MetaXplore' test which looks as the entire microbiome (around 28,000 species) a methodology called 'shotgun' analysis, (instead of a targeted list of 50-100 species which is what many tests look at e.g qPCR or 16S rRNA).
For those on more of a budget, there are smaller panels available via Genova Diagnostics or Doctors Data that still will give actionable information and detect problematic microbes.
If you would like to discuss microbiome testing (or not testing), you can book a free 15 minute consultation here:
https://www.citylifenutrition.co.uk/booking-calendar/book-your-15-minute-free-consultatio
