Gut Microbiome

What is your gut microbiome?

Your gut microbiome is a complex community of trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, that live in your digestive tract. These microorganisms play a crucial role in digestion, immunity and even mental health. A balanced microbiome supports healthy digestion, strengthens your immune system, impacts mood and energy levels, and also lowers the risk of developing certain conditions. The gut microbiome has been closely linked with conditions such as IBS [1] and autism [2], with research into others ongoing.

What is a gut microbiome test?

A gut microbiome test provides an in-depth analysis of the microorganisms living in your gut, which plays a crucial role in your overall health. Your gut microbiome is made up of trillions of bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microbes that influence not only your digestion but also your mental health, immune system and risk of developing conditions like diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers.

The health of your gut microbiome is influenced by factors such as diet, stress and lifestyle, and an imbalance in this system can lead to health issues. A microbiome test helps identify these imbalances and offers personalised recommendations to support a healthier gut and overall well-being.

How can you test your gut microbiome?

There are a number of different ways that testing assesses your gut microbiome. Below are three different analysis techniques that can be used, including the type that Vivere uses, Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing.

Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing

Vivere uses a type of advanced testing called Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing to analyse your gut microbiome.

This method looks at all the genetic material in your stool sample, allowing us to identify not just bacteria, but also fungi, viruses and other microbes in great detail [3]. This approach gives a full picture of your gut's health and how it functions. Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing means you get deeper, more meaningful insight compared to traditional microbiome tests.

16S rRNA Sequencing

16S rRNA Sequencing is a common method that focuses on one particular gene found in bacteria – the 16S rRNA gene [4]. This test identifies the main types of bacteria in your gut and gives an overview of their abundance. It’s useful for spotting dominant bacterial groups, however, it doesn’t offer detailed insights at species level and can miss other types of microbes like fungi or viruses.

qPCR (Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction)

qPCR (Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction) is a targeted testing method used to detect specific microbes. It’s effective when you're searching for certain bacteria, even in tiny amounts [5]. However, because it only looks for what it’s programmed to find, it doesn’t give a complete picture of all the microbes in your gut and isn’t suitable for broader microbiome analysis.

What does a gut microbiome test look for?

Our gut microbiome test analyses the composition of bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microbes in your gut. It looks for imbalances in the types and quantities of beneficial and harmful microorganisms that may be affecting your digestive health, immune function, or contributing to inflammation and other symptoms [6].

At Vivere we use Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing, an advanced method that examines all the genetic material in your stool sample. This enables us to detect a broader range of microbes, providing you with a more comprehensive understanding of your gut's health. Based on these results, we offer personalised recommendations to help improve your gut microbiome and overall health.

Can you improve your gut microbiome?

Yes, your gut microbiome can be improved through a combination of lifestyle and diet changes. Everyone’s gut microbiome is unique and what works for some may not work for others. By having a microbiome test, you can learn more about your specific microbiome and what lifestyle and diet adjustments would work best for you.

Sources

[1] Artificial intelligence-based personalised diet: A pilot clinical study for IBS - Enbiosis

[2] Children with autism may have different gut bacteria - Southampton Biomedical Research Centre

[3] An introduction to the analysis of shotgun metagenomic data - NLM

[4] Evaluation of 16S rRNA gene sequencing for species and strain-level microbiome analysis - Nature Communications

[5] Explanatory chapter: quantitative PCR - NLM

[6] Pro-inflammatory and hyperinsulinaemic dietary patterns are associated with specific gut microbiome profiles - Cambridge University Press

Author

Scott Weaver

Medical Content Writer

Yusra Serdaroglu Aydin

Head of Nutrition and Registered Dietitian