Gut Health: The test kit that analyzes your microbiota

The human body is home to trillions of microorganisms, collectively known as the microbiome. These microorganisms are essential in maintaining our overall health and well-being, from regulating our immune system to aiding digestion. Recent research has highlighted the importance of understanding the microbiome's composition and impact on human health. Luckily, we can measure your gut health with the gut health test kit!

Have you not yet explored how your gut bacteria aid digestion, immunity, and nutrition? Click here to find out and discover tips for nurturing a healthy microbiome.

Lab test for your gut bacteria

Our method of analyzing the gut microbiota uses 16S rRNA gene sequencing. 

"Genes are like a recipe, and the 16s gene is the recipe for the bacteria's protein factory. Without protein, bacteria cannot survive, so this factory is found in every bacterium. Yet the recipe (the gene) is not quite the same: It contains pieces that are the same in every bacterium, called the conserved regions, and it contains pieces that differ by species: the variable regions. These regions alternate, and by looking at the third and fourth variable regions, we can figure out which bacteria the 16s gene came from", explains Fleur van Eeden (Microbiologist and General manager of MyMicroZoo).

If you are unfamiliar with the difference between microbiota and microbiome, we suggest reading this blog, where we explain it all!

The 16S rRNA gene is present in all bacteria, and identifying bacterial species is done by using this gene as a biomarker. The gene contains regions that are highly conserved - which means that these regions stay the same in all species - across all bacteria, as well as regions that vary between different bacterial species. Sequencing the variable regions of the 16S rRNA gene makes it possible to identify the different bacterial species in a sample. We can find this gene in all bacteria. However, its sequence varies between species, making it a valuable tool for identifying and classifying microbial communities.

How do we perform the gut health test kit?

We give you the tools to send a stool sample to our labs. For example, for our gut bacteria lab test, we extract the bacterial DNA from a stool sample that you send in. The technique we use for this is called 16S rRNA sequencing.

Fun fact: Did you know that human DNA cannot be sequenced using 16S rRNA sequencing because people do not have the 16S gene?

In 16S rRNA sequencing, DNA is extracted from a sample, and the 16S rRNA gene is amplified using PCR (polymerase chain reaction). The resulting DNA fragments are then sequenced using next-generation sequencing technology. Finally, the sequences are compared to our database of known 16S rRNA sequences to identify the bacterial species present in the sample.

What do we measure with the gut health test kit?

A 16S rRNA test is a molecular biology technique commonly used to study the diversity and composition of microbial communities, including those found in the human gut. The results of such a test can provide valuable insights into the types of bacteria present in your gut and their relative abundance.

One advantage of 16S rRNA sequencing is that it can identify a wide range of bacterial species, even those that are difficult to culture in the lab. It can provide a more comprehensive view of the microbiome than traditional culture-based methods.

We have summarized the pros and cons of all the available testing methods for you.

Did you know that, even though we cannot analyze all the genes of a bacteria with our 16s rRNA analysis, we can still say a lot about the function of certain bacteria. This is thanks to all the researchers that have analyzed the whole genome of bacteria. Since we know what most of the genes can do, we have a pretty good understanding of the functions that  certain bacteria can fulfill in your gut!

If you're interested in learning more about your gut bacteria, check out this blog.

What can you do with the results of the microbiota test kit?

Here are some possible uses of the results of our lab test of your gut bacteria:

• Identify bacterial species: The results can be used to identify the specific bacterial species present in your gut. This information can help us understand how certain species may be associated with different gut health outcomes. Our report covers, for example, butyrate-producing bacteria, lactate-producing bacteria, and gas-producing bacteria.
• Determine bacterial diversity: The diversity of bacteria in your gut can be measured by analyzing the number of species present. Higher bacterial diversity has been linked to better health outcomes.
• Evaluate the level of energy-producing bacteria: Your gut bacteria provide the most energy your gut needs to function. A healthy gut must have plenty of these bacteria to ensure your intestinal cells are well-fed. Having too little of these bacteria can result in leaky gut syndrome. 
• Investigate if there are high levels of unwanted bacteria: Some bacteria are less welcome guests in your gut microbiome since they can cause complaints. Our report shows whether you are keeping these bacteria in check and what you can do if they get out of control! (Apart from some unwanted species, we also show you how you score for sulfate-reducing bacteria and proteobacteria. Of both groups, you want to avoid having too many in your gut!
• Find out more about functional groups like lactate-forming and mucin-degrading bacteria. Both groups are seen as wanted quests in your gut: Lactate is a food source for other bacteria (like the butyrate-producing bacteria), and mucin-degrading bacteria help support your intestinal wall integrity by stimulating renewal.
• Evaluate the impact of lifestyle choices on gut health: The results can be used to evaluate how lifestyle choices, such as diet, exercise, and medication use, affect the composition of your gut microbiome.
• Monitor the effectiveness of interventions: If you make changes to your lifestyle or take probiotics or other interventions to improve gut health, the results of a 16S rRNA test can be used to monitor the effectiveness of these interventions.

You will receive a detailed report after giving us your sample to analyze. You can also access your results in the online dashboard to find specific bacteria and compare your microbiome to others.

Try our lab test yourself!