Do Home Microbiome Tests Help Support Your Gut?

A growing number of home microbiome test kits come with big promises for what they will reveal about your gut microbiome and your health—and how to improve them. Over the past several years, these kits have been increasingly popular among consumers. But do they deliver on the promise?

It’s so simple: Use a swab to get a small sample of your stool in the privacy of your own bathroom, seal it in a vial, and send it back to the company. You’ll receive a personalized assessment that lists what bacteria and other microorganisms live in your gut (large intestine) and tells you what you may be at risk for. Some companies also give tips for how to improve your gut microbiome through diet and lifestyle and may offer to sell “customized” supplements that claim to solve your health issues.

Where These Tests Fail. Unfortunately, home microbiome tests only look at the microorganisms that are in your stool, which is not completely representative of what’s actually important—the total numbers, relative proportions, and overall robustness of the microorganism population of your gut. For example, some bacteria may remain on your gut wall rather than pass into a stool sample, and stool testing can’t determine whether the microorganisms in it are alive or dead.

Another issue is that scientists can only accurately identify a small percentage of the more than 200 types of microorganisms that are common in the human gastrointestinal tract. Although knowledge in this area is steadily growing, it’s not yet possible to pinpoint which gut microorganisms are associated with specific health problems or health benefits. One Tufts University microbiologist sent portions of the same stool sample to three different home testing companies and received three very different results. One company found 527 microbe species, while another found 27. One company said his microbiome was healthy, while another said it wasn’t.

Not only might the results you receive not be accurate, but one sample is simply a snapshot. It doesn’t provide an accurate picture of what, in reality, is a rapidly evolving, constantly changing gut ecosystem. Research has established that a change in diet can lead to changes in the gut microbiome as little as 24 to 48 hours later. Stress and physical activity can also influence the function of your gut, which can then alter your gut microbiome.

All of this is why “personalized” microbiome tests are not a valid diagnostic tool, why they aren’t covered by insurance, and why the Food and Drug Administration has not approved them.

The Bottom Line. While it’s a good idea to take care of your gut microbiome, test kit results won’t provide advice that’s any more relevant than the standard advice to eat more vegetables and gut-friendly fiber, reduce stress, exercise, and dig in the garden. There is no good data showing that you can do more than that to change your gut microbiome. If you’re seeking answers for what’s causing persistent digestive symptoms, talk to your doctor instead. Home test kits should never replace a doctor’s visit, and their results do not constitute a professional diagnosis.

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