In This Article
In This Article
Do you often feel tired? Are you always hungry or craving for certain foods? Maybe you've been gaining weight or you feel more stressed than usual.
If you want to know what's going on with your body, your gut is a great place to start.
Why? Because poor gut health doesn't just cause digestive issues, like diarrhea, bloating, or gas. It also triggers a range of physical and mental symptoms.
Research shows that when your gut is imbalanced, it can lead to:
A gut test can look into your unique microbiome and check for imbalanced gut bacteria. It can tell you which specific imbalances are affecting your health.
You get to understand what's causing your symptoms and what you can do about them. To help you get started, we picked out the best gut microbiome tests you can choose from.
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Too much bad bacteria and too little good bacteria may be harmful to your body.
Microbiome testing can help you find out if you have an imbalanced gut flora. It can tell you which microbes you lack and which ones you need to keep under control.
You will learn more about your:
Testing companies will score your gut health based on your results. A high score means you have a healthy gut microbiome. Lower scores suggest you have an unhealthy gut.
Most testing kits measure your gut bacteria. But there are also tests that check for pathogens that may infect your gut, like fungi, yeasts, parasites, and viruses.
Some gut tests go beyond microbiome testing and assess for:
Ultimately, what you get with your report depends on the test you're taking.
A gut health test can provide practical information on your gut bacteria. You can learn more about their potential benefits and negative side effects on your health.
Your gut report may also include actionable insights, such as:
You can follow these suggestions to improve your gut health. They promote gut diversity by increasing the beneficial bacteria and decreasing bad ones.
These steps may also reduce signs of poor gut health. If you stick to these healthy habits, eventually you'll start to feel better and healthier overall.
Dr. Harshi Dhingra has an M.D. in Pathology.
She is a registered pathologist with over a decade of experience in diagnostic, clinical, research, and teaching work. She manages all aspects of pathology laboratory, including histopathology, cytology, hematology, and clinical pathology.
Currently, Dr. Dhingra works as faculty in a medical school and research center.
You can test your gut microbiome from home with these five easy steps
Pick a test that gives you what you want and need. You can order the gut tests we mention in this article online. They should arrive at your door in five days.
Make sure to follow the instructions on your test kit. Most kits will ask you to submit a stool sample. Tests like Ixcela Internal Fitness require a blood sample.
Your kit includes a prepaid shipping box that will allow you to send your sample back for testing. It can take a few days or weeks before your sample is analyzed.
The availability of your test results may vary depending on the company and testing methods used. Usually, you have to wait 2 to 4 weeks.
You can view your gut report on the company's website or through a dedicated app that you can download on your phone.
Microbiome testing kits differ from each other in terms of price, use, coverage, and other factors. In this list, we give you the top 7 gut health tests and their key features.
Choosing the best gut health test wasn't easy for us. Our team of testers had to try all of them. From there, we had to decide which ones we liked the most.
We narrowed down our choices using five criteria which we thought mattered most:
With this criteria, we were able to rank our favorite gut testing kits. Here are our top picks:
| Product | Ease of Sample Collection | Easy to Interpret Results | Detailed Gut Report | Actionable Insight | Personalized Probiotics |
| Viome | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Ombre | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Biohm | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Verisana | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★ | ★ |
| Wellnicity | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ |
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Viome's Gut Intelligence Test analyzes your gut microbiome to assess your digestive health. Your report will include 7 important details on your digestion, including:
Viome tells you how your diet and lifestyle affect your digestion. It provides steps to improve your digestion, food absorption, gut diversity, and more.
You'll get a 90-day nutrition plan and personalized supplement recommendations with your report. You can follow these steps for a healthier digestion.
Here's a tip: If you want to understand how your microbiome affects your overall health, you can upgrade to the Viome Health Intelligence Test.
| Viome Gut Intelligence Quick Facts | |
| Price | $249 |
| Collection Type | Fecal scoop |
| DNA Testing Method | 16S RNA Sequencing |
Viome Gut Test Pros
Chris (our tester) took the Viome test and compared it with Ombre and Biohm.
He says that out of all three tests, Viome was the only one that could test for a wider range of microbes. Here is his full review on Viome.
Viome Gut Test Cons
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Viome's Full Body Intelligence analyzes your gut bacteria and digestion, so you can better understand your health. Your report will provide insights on your:
You'll receive over 400 food recommendations and suggestions on supplements and probiotics based on your microbiome's health.
| Viome Health Intelligence Quick Facts | |
| Price | $299 |
| Collection Type | Fecal scoop + Blood + Saliva |
| DNA Testing Method | 16S RNA Sequencing |
Viome Full Body Test Pros
Viome Full Body Test Cons
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The Ombre Gut Test checks your stool sample for gut bacteria that affect your:
It also scores your gut health so you'll know how it's doing. You'll learn which species of bacteria you need to work on and keep under control.
| Ombre Quick Facts | |
| Price | $84.99 to $119.99 |
| Collection Type | Fecal swab |
| DNA Testing Method | 16S RNA sequencing |
Ombre Gut Health Pros
“Ombre provides food recommendations and probiotic supplements. Both play an important role in your gut microbiome and overall health." Harshi Dhingra, M.D.
Our tester (Joel) took the Ombre test and was told he had great gut health diversity. His report mentions he would benefit from eating artichokes and apricots.
"I received many health recommendations with my results. They're all very helpful and easy to follow," he adds. You can read more about it here.
Ombre Gut Health Cons
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The Biohm Gut Test focuses on your gut and digestive health. It tells you which bacteria and fungi thrive in your gut, and finds major imbalances.
Your report will include these actionable steps to help correct your imbalance:
If you want an affordable gut test that improves your digestion, Biohm is a good choice.
| Biohm Quick Facts | |
| Price | $129.99 |
| Collection Type | Fecal swab |
| DNA Testing Method | 16S RNA Sequencing |
Biohm Health Pros
Our tester (Chris) tried Biohm's gut testing. He says it isn't as complete as Ombre or Viome.
But if you wanted a simple test or more gut supplements to choose from, he thinks that Biohm is still worth its price. You can find more information here.
Biohm Health Cons
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The Verisana Leaky Gut Test can help you find out if you have a leaky gut.
If you show signs like headaches, chronic diarrhea, and difficulty concentrating, you may want to take this leaky gut test at home.
Verisana Laboratories also test for candida, mold, and gut microbiome imbalance. While waiting for your test, you can try eating foods that reduce leaky gut symptoms.
| Verisana Lab Quick Facts | |
| Price | $249.95 |
| Collection Type | Fecal scoop |
| DNA Testing Method | Unknown |
Verisana Lab Pros
“Verisana is a good option for people with special gut health needs,” says Dr. Dhingra.
Verisana Lab Cons
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Wellnicity's At-Home Gut Health tests for various gut-related conditions, including:
If you have digestive issues like diarrhea, flatulence (gas), stomach pain, and leaky gut — Wellnicity can narrow down their possible causes.
It's a bit more expensive than other at-home health tests for the gut. But because it offers unique insights on your microbiome health, it's well worth the price.
| Wellnicity Quick Facts | |
| Price | About $299 to $350 (estimated) |
| Collection Type | Fecal scoop |
| DNA Testing Method | Unknown |
Wellnicity Gut Test Pros
“If you have persistent digestive problems, I'd recommend the Wellnicity Test. You can use it to find out whether or not you need further testing,” says Dr. Dhingra.
Wellnicity Gut Test Cons
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Ixcela Internal Fitness checks for metabolites that affect your:
But instead of testing microbial DNA, the company analyzes blood samples using a proprietary method and a modified CoulArray® equipment.
The at-home wellness test also provides actionable insights that improve your gut bacteria and overall health. Unlike other gut health companies, Ixcela offers a custom workout plan.
| Ixcela Quick Facts | |
| Price | $269 |
| Collection Type | Pinprick |
| DNA Testing Method | None |
Ixcela Wellness Test Pros
Ixcela Wellness Test Cons
If you're struggling to pick the best gut test, pay attention to what your body tells you. Gut health tests reveal different things about your microbiome, digestion, and overall health.
You should choose a microbiome test that fits your needs:
Here are other things to consider when choosing the best microbiome test:
When you think about the cost, you have to factor in your budget and what the test has to offer for its price. Pick one that meets your needs and gives you value for your money.
If you have chronic fatigue, you may find tests like Ombre more reasonably priced since they can help you understand why you feel tired.
But if you have digestive issues and want to know what's causing them, a Viome or Wellnicity test would be more cost-effective despite their higher price.
It depends. Some microbiome testing kits are more accurate than others.
Gut companies with Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) approved laboratories provide better accuracy.10 It ensures they follow federal standards for testing.
You may want to look for tests that use 16S RNA sequencing. Research shows this method is "sufficiently accurate" for identifying different strains and species of gut bacteria.11
Tests that support their results with microbiome research are also more reliable.
For better accuracy, some doctors recommend taking several tests. You can compare your results to get a more complete picture of your gut health.
The gut is made up of your entire gastrointestinal tract, which covers your stomach and intestines. It begins at the mouth and ends at your anus or rectum.
Its main role is to process food. This includes breaking down food into simple compounds.
Digestion makes it easy to absorb nutrients from food. The trillions of bacteria in your gut help with the process. Collectively, they are known as your gut flora or gut microbiome.
Your gut and the bacteria that live inside it work together to provide your body with the energy, water, vitamins, and minerals it needs to function.
Anything else that isn't digested is excreted as waste material called stool or feces.
Your microbiome includes every living microorganism in your gut's environment. It may include bacteria, yeasts, fungi, viruses, and protozoa (parasites).
A healthy gut flora requires a balance of good and bad bacteria. You also need a diverse microbiome with different species of gut bacteria.
Ideally, you should have more beneficial bacteria and less harmful ones. Too much harmful bacteria or too little good bacteria can lead to dysbiosis or gut imbalance.
Several factors can affect the balance of your gut bacteria, such as:
Exposure to pathogens may also cause gut dysbiosis. This can happen when you eat or drink contaminated food and water.
Certain species of gut bacteria are associated with specific health benefits. For example, Lactobacilli acidophilus and L. bulgaricus can help you digest lactose.12
Potentially harmful bacteria may also provide benefits. Bacteroides melaninogenicus and B. fragilis are good examples. They are among the few known strains that produce vitamin K.13
Good and bad gut microbiome both play a role in:
Good bacteria also keep bad bacteria in check and prevent them from doing harm to your body. Unfortunately, pathogens may take over and dominate your gut.
When your gut loses balance, its function is affected. This can negatively impact your physical, mental, and emotional health.
The easiest way to know is to take a gut test. A microbiome test can show you if there is imbalance. It can tell you which gut bacteria you have too little or too much of.
You can also watch for signs of an unhealthy gut, which may suggest gut imbalance.
Here are signs that you may have a gut problem:
Many people think that not having digestive symptoms is a sign of good gut health. However, gut bacteria imbalance doesn't always show obvious signs.
Various diseases have been linked to poor gut health, including:
Keep in mind: There may be other factors causing your symptoms and health problems. Gut testing simply helps you find out if your microbiome has something to do with them.
For instance, people who are obese tend to have higher levels of Firmicutes.15 If your gut test shows an increase in Firmicutes, this might explain your weight gain.
How you deal with a gut problem should depend on your symptoms. If you have minor digestive issues, dietary and lifestyle changes are usually enough to correct them.
Some people take probiotics and other gut health supplements. Both are considered safe for to consume. However, they might cause side effects on your first few days.
Consider testing your microbiome after making these changes. That way, you can monitor your gut bacteria for changes in diversity and composition.
Sometimes, simple adjustments may not improve your gut microbiome. If you have severe or worsening symptoms, you should see a doctor who can assess your condition.
Your gut environment is dynamic. The amount and types of bacteria that live inside it can change depending on your exposure.
Sometimes, it only takes days for entire populations to shift. At other times, it can take weeks or months before your microbiome changes.
Because of this, keeping your gut healthy requires constant work. Here’s what you can do:
“Your diet is the first step toward achieving optimal gut balance.”
Harshi Dhingra, M.D.
Dr. Dhingra recommends eating a healthy and well-balanced diet.
“Stay away from foods that are processed and high in sugar. Instead, you should be eating more whole and unrefined foods rich in fiber, lean protein, and healthy fats,” she adds.
She also says you need to maintain a health lifestyle. This includes having enough sleep, getting regular exercise, and reducing your stress.
Foods that contain fibers and indigestible carbohydrates act as natural prebiotics. Prebiotic foods are good for you because they feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut.
As your gut bacteria digests them, they produce short chain fatty acids (SCFA). SCFAs lower your gut's pH and prevent the overgrowth of harmful microbes like C. difficile.16
Some excellent sources of prebiotics are:
However, eating more fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grain foods such as wheats, oats, and barely is generally a good idea.
Probiotic foods contain beneficial microbes. Eating them can be good for your microbiome.
You can get probiotics from fermented foods like:
Low-fat fermented dairy products would also make a great addition to your diet. Some examples are buttermilk and yogurt.
According to studies, these foods increase anti-inflammatory bacteria such as Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Enterococcus.17
They can help prevent and reduce gut inflammation.
Eating too much sugar increases your blood glucose (hyperglycemia) and the intestinal permeability of your gut. Studies show it can lead to dysbiosis.17
This decreases your gut lining immunity and increases your risk for infections.18
Some high-sugar foods you need to keep away from are pastries, desserts, and sweetened beverages (like soda).
Replacing sugars with artificial sweeteners has a few potential benefits.19 Unfortunately, some of them can alter your gut environment and cause harmful bacteria to take over.20
Artificial sweeteners like aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose promote the growth of two pathogens — Enterobacter faecalis and E. coli.21
Instead of relying completely on artificial sweeteners for their health benefits, you can try healthier alternatives to achieve your goals.
For example, if you're trying to control your blood sugar, you can change to a low glycemic index (GI) diet. But if you want to lose weight, you can portion your meals and exercise.
Many foods contain artificial sweeteners, so make sure to read their nutrition labels.
Diets high in saturated fats can reduce your gut diversity. Monounsaturated fats (which are considered healthy) can also decrease your total gut bacteria if you eat too much.22
In general, you want to avoid eating processed and high-fat meats, fried foods, fast food, and foods derived from animals.
You also need to be mindful of your monounsaturated fats, including foods cooked in canola, peanut, or olive oil. Other sources of these fats include:
A diet rich in oily fish has been associated with a higher ratio of Faecalibacterium.
This bacteria produces SCFAs, which help control gut inflammation and maintain the health of your gut lining.17 Some examples of fatty fish are:
Oily fish are high in omega 3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory effects.
Scientists believe that exercise may be a great way to maintain your gut microflora and rebalance an imbalanced gut. Studies show it provides many gut-related benefits.23
For starters, it can improve your Bacteroides to Firmicutes ratio. This can help reduce your weight and risk for gastrointestinal disorders.
It encourages the growth of bacteria that enhance gut immunity and improve gut barrier. This lowers your risk for obesity and metabolic diseases.
Exercise also stimulates bacteria that can protect you against colon cancer and other digestive conditions.
Not getting enough sleep can have a negative impact on your microbiome. The lack of sleep also increases your risk for other health conditions, including:24
People who sleep well tend to have healthier gut microbiomes.24
High stress levels can directly impact your gut and reduce your microbial diversity.
It also has negative effects on your colon activity and eating habits, which can have consequences on your gut bacteria.25
Stress reduction techniques like meditation and deep breathing exercises may lower your stress and promote a healthy microbiome.
Excessive alcohol intake can change the composition of your microbiome for the worse. Studies reveal it can lead to gut dysbiosis, gut inflammation, and intestinal permeability.26
You can avoid this by limiting your consumption to 2 drinks per day (if you're a man) and 1 drink per day (if you're a woman).
“Probiotics contain live bacteria that boost the “good” kind of bacteria in your gut. You can take them as supplements along with a healthy diet.”
Harshi Dhingra, M.D.
In addition to eating prebiotic and probiotic foods, you can support your diet with synbiotics. These are supplements that combine probiotics with prebiotic ingredients.
Some health experts believe they can help with certain situations — such as when you're are trying to reduce your symptoms after being exposed to a pathogen or antibiotics.17
You can start by taking the probiotic supplements suggested in your gut report. Because they're personalized too your needs, they can correct your specific imbalance.
Having variety in your meals may also cause your gut flora to thrive. It promotes gut diversity, increases good bacteria, and decreases some potentially harmful microbes.27
Viome tells you how your diet and lifestyle affect your digestion. It provides steps to improve your digestion, food absorption, gut diversity, and more.
Keeping your gut bacteria healthy offers many health benefits. You can enjoy:
These are just a few rewards of a healthy gut. If you want to know whether your gut is healthy enough, try taking a microbiome test.
A gut test can detect imbalances in your gut bacteria. It can tell you if you need professional help, lifestyle changes, and other things you can improve on.
Testing your gut bacteria can provide you with practical information on your microbiome. By following these recommendations, you can enjoy the benefits of a healthy gut.
