Microbiome Testing and Assessment

Relatively recent research has uncovered the many beneficial tasks that the body cannot do itself, which are performed by the trillions of microorganisms that inhabit the human gut, known collectively as the microbiome.  Some of these important tasks involve:

• digestion support,

• synthesis of essential vitamins,

• regulation of  neurotransmitters, and

• production of certain short chain fatty acids that:  are anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour, defend the body against pathogens, and protect the intestinal barrier.

Consequently, a balanced microbiome is vital for good gut, overall body and brain health.

 By sequencing the DNA of your gut microbes, microbiome testing seeks out to identify specific pathogens associated with your lifestyle choices and gut conditions, including Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), as well as obesity and Type 2 diabetes. It also assesses the presence and proportion (microbial diversity) of beneficial microbes.

And what’s even better, we now have a patented IBS GUT Detector test which sequences all of the bacteria associated with the detection of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and IBS subtypes. That means that for once you can get some form of testing that shows which of the bacteria species could be contributing to your symptoms.  You can also use this test to continually monitor your IBS recovery over time. 

With this information, steps can be taken to re-balance your microbiome, improve your gut and mental health, as well as find the drivers for many chronic conditions, and in turn, help you feel better.