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While still not fully understood, we do know that your gut microbiome can affect your immune system, is instrumental in fighting pathogens, synthesizes vitamins, helps keep you at a healthy weight, and much more. For this reason, it's incredibly important that you do everything you can to keep your gut flora healthy. Fortunately, testing your microbiome from home has never been easier.
But with a number of companies offering at-home gut microbiome test kits, finding the best option isn't always easy. So we tested the biggest kits on the market to narrow down those that won't leave you disappointed. Below are our six favorite microbiome tests.
We recommend Thryve as our pick for MicroBiome Testing. Continue reading to see why.
Testing your gut microbiome from the comfort of home can be done by following these four simple steps:
How to take a Microbiome Test Order one of the best at-home microbiome test kits.
Order one of the best at-home microbiome test kits.
Not all tests check for the same things, so pick one that matches your needs. All the tests we mention in this article can be ordered online and should arrive at your door in around five days.
Collect a sample to be tested.
Make sure to follow your test kits directions during this step. While most kits ask you to submit a stool sample, some, such as Ixcela’s Internal Fitness Test Kit, analyze your blood.
Submit your sample and wait for it to be tested.
It will generally take around a month for your sample to be analyzed, but this can vary depending on the company and testing methods used.
Wait two to four weeks
And receive your results.
Not all tests check for the same things, so pick one that matches your needs. All the tests we mention in this article can be ordered online and should arrive at your door in around five days.
Thryve markets it's microbiome test as a ‘program' and for good reason. With their Gut Health Program, you'll not only learn about your microbiome, but you'll also receive personalized probiotics and food recommendations that'll help improve your gut's health.
Your report will include information about the species of bacteria found inside of you, how balanced your gut is, and what you can do to improve your gut health. Their probiotics help to increase the number of good bacteria in your microbiome.
Key Features:
Viome's Gut Intelligence Test analyzes your gut health using a small stool sample. The test offers more information than many of its competitors, stuff like the number of organisms living in your gut and what they do to affect your health.
With Viome, your analysis includes a 90-day nutrition plan and personalized supplement recommendations to help you take charge of your gut health. This at-home gut test is also less expensive than many of the others on the market.
Key Features:
If you're having difficulty concentrating, chronic diarrhea, headaches, and nutritional deficiencies then you may be suffering from a condition known as leaky gut syndrome.
By taking Verisana's leaky gut test at home, you can narrow down if this common ailment is the cause of your discomfort. And luckily, with dietary and lifestyle changes, leaky gut syndrome can usually be healed.
Key Features:
With Wellnicity's My Gut - Health test you can identify yeast, bacteria, and other factors that can negatively affect your gut’s microbiome. Their state-of-the-art laboratory can identify the thousands of different microorganisms that call your body home, including parasites.
And if you're experiencing any digestive symptoms, this test can find gluten antibodies and unique GI inflammation markers to help you narrow down the cause. While it's a bit more expensive than the competition, they offer some things you won't find elsewhere. This includes the ability to speak with a clinical nutritionist.
Key Features:
Ixcela's at-home microbiome test can tell you about your gut's health simply by analyzing a drop of blood. Their test measures 11 different metabolites found in your blood so you can better understand your microbiome.
Using your results, Ixcela provides you with loads of actionable insights to help you improve your overall health. This includes things that the competition doesn't offer, such as a workout plan.
Key Features:
Using the power of science, and a small stool sample, Biohm’s Gut Test gives you a unique look into your digestive health. This includes actionable insights, such as dietary recommendations, personalized supplements, and the foods you should and shouldn’t be eating.
Biohm’s gut health test will issue you an overall gut score, on a scale from 1 to 10, which will more or less grade your microbiome diversity. Additionally, Biohm’s gut bacteria test will compare your bacterial and fungal communities with the normal levels of a healthy gut.
Key Features:
Even with this list of reliable at-home microbiome tests, you may still be struggling to pick the best test for your needs. This makes sense, as these tests, while similar, do offer vastly different packages.
However, if you're looking for an in-depth test at a great price, you can't go wrong with Viome's Gut Intelligence test. If you're mostly concerned with leaky gut syndrome, Verisana's test is what you're looking for. For customized probiotics, vitamins, and diet plans, Thryve and Wellnicity are great options.
Whichever test you decide to use, if it's on this list you're in good hands!
