At-home gut microbiome tests are trending, selling insights to the curious, empowerment to the chronically ill and a claimed path to longevity to the wellness-conscious. Private companies are offering tests, costing $100 to $500 or more, that promise a bacterial inventory of your intestines. But can microbiome tests actually provide actionable health information? As more patients arrive at doctors appointments with results in hand, frustrated gastroenterologists want people to know the tests have limits.<\/p>\n
\nInside our intestines, entire ecosystems of bacteria help us digest our food, absorb key vitamins, combat inflammation and much more. Research shows a healthy gut microbiome may play a role in preventing things like liver disease and diabetes and could even influence mental health. The gut microbiome is incredibly complex and our understanding of it \u201cis in its infancy,\u201d said Dr. Mark Benson, a gastroenterologist for the University of Wisconsin-Madison\u2019s health system. \u201cBut there\u2019s growing evidence that there are changes in the gut microbiome that are associated with different diseases, including diabetes, liver disease, obesity and inflammatory bowel disease,\u201d he said. There\u2019s a key catch, though: In many cases, it\u2019s unclear if the gut microbiome change is the cause \u2014 or an effect \u2014 of the disease. On top of that, each person\u2019s gut microbiome is unique, like a fingerprint. It can even vary within one person\u2019s gut.<\/p>\n
In most cases, a microbiome test involves taking a stool sample, usually using a swab or a wipe for collection. The samples are mailed to a lab for analysis. The companies then provide a report of how the person\u2019s mix of gut microbes compares with a supposed ideal, or outlines where things are imbalanced. These direct-to-consumer tests are not meant for clinical use and are not federally regulated, so it\u2019s nearly impossible to say how reliable they are. Different companies can set different standards and methods for their tests. That raises many questions for doctors: Is the sample collection consistent and reliable? What is the science behind the benchmarks they are comparing results to? Is the stool the best place from which to take a sample, or should it come from higher up in the gut?<\/p>\n
Physicians sometimes order stool tests, but they typically are looking for specific problems: infections, inflammation from foodborne illnesses or antibiotic use, or cancer. When patients come in with their own results from an over-the-counter test, there is little advice to give. \u201cIf you talk to patients, these tests are appealing. They\u2019re cool. They\u2019re all this data,\u201d said Dr. Sean Spencer, a physician scientist at Stanford University. The frustration for doctors, he said, is with the lack the tools to change the microbiome. Spencer, Quigley and Benson have all had patients bring them the results of microbiome tests. But antibiotics and diet are really the only proven tools doctors have to change the gut microbiome, Spencer said.<\/p>\n
Occasionally, the tests show a measure of inflammation in the gut or pancreatic function that can be useful to doctors, Quigley said. But beyond that, \u201cfor most people, they\u2019re actually wasting their money,\u201d he said. The list of gut bugs and purported imbalances don\u2019t align with any medically backed treatments, the doctors said. \u201cThe technology is jumping ahead of the clinical application,\u201d said Quigley. \u201cJust because you can measure something doesn\u2019t mean to say it\u2019s worthwhile.\u201d The companies offering tests say they are not treating any specific conditions. But many of them \u2014 some 45%, according to a March 2024 article in Science Policy Forum \u2014 also sell supplements that they recommend to customers alongside their results.<\/p>\n
The gastroenterologists who spoke to The Associated Press agreed that there is no harm in taking one of these tests if you\u2019re curious about your gut or want to contribute to a company\u2019s research. But you can improve your gut health without the tests, the doctors said. \u201cI would not significantly change therapy or take a bunch of expensive supplements based on these results,\u201d Benson said. Instead, eat lots of plant-based fiber and protein. Improve your sleep. Move your body. See a doctor for serious gut symptoms, such as bloody stool, ongoing constipation and diarrhea or severe pain.<\/p>\n
Gut microbiome tests may be trending, but their limitations and potential conflicts of interest should be considered. While they may provide interesting insights, they are not a substitute for medically backed treatments. Improving gut health can be achieved through simple lifestyle changes, and patients should be cautious of companies selling supplements alongside their test results. As research continues to evolve, it is essential to prioritize evidence-based approaches to gut health.<\/p>\n
Q: What is a gut microbiome test?
\nA: A gut microbiome test is a direct-to-consumer test that analyzes the bacteria in a person’s gut and provides a report on the balance of different microbes.
\nQ: Are gut microbiome tests reliable?
\nA: The reliability of gut microbiome tests is unclear, as they are not federally regulated and different companies may have different standards and methods.
\nQ: Can gut microbiome tests provide actionable health information?
\nA: While gut microbiome tests may provide some useful information, they are not a substitute for medically backed treatments, and their results should be interpreted with caution.
\nQ: How can I improve my gut health without taking a test?
\nA: Improving gut health can be achieved through simple lifestyle changes, such as eating a plant-based diet, improving sleep, and exercising regularly.
\nQ: Should I take a gut microbiome test?
\nA: If you are curious about your gut or want to contribute to a company’s research, taking a gut microbiome test may be harmless. However, it is essential to prioritize evidence-based approaches to gut health and be cautious of companies selling supplements alongside their test results.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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