In This Article
In This Article
Your gut is home to trillions of both harmful and beneficial bacteria, collectively known as the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome benefits the body in many ways, including strengthening and protecting your gut lining.
Your gut lining acts as a highly selective barrier. It prevents pathogens and other harmful agents from leaking into your bloodstream.1
When your gut lining gets damaged, you may develop what some experts believe to be a leaky gut. A leaky gut doesn’t function properly as a barrier.
It’s also highly permeable, allowing foreign particles like bacteria, toxins, and undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream.2
Some health experts believe it triggers conditions like autoimmune diseases and allergies.3 They also believe a gut microbiome imbalance causes leaky gut syndrome.
Several at-home tests can help check your gut health. These tests can help assess if you have a leaky gut as well.
Summary
At-home leaky gut tests can help assess if you have a leaky gut or a damaged gut lining.
A gut microbiome imbalance is believed to cause leaky gut syndrome. Some health experts link leaky gut syndrome to autoimmune diseases and allergies.
KnowYourDNA is committed to making healthcare more accessible to the public, so we feature products that meet industry standards.
We only choose at-home kits with reliable testing methods and science-backed reports to improve your health.
Our in-house medical experts help ensure the accuracy of the information we give our readers by reviewing it before publication.
Viome’s At-Home Gut Microbiome Test offers accurate gut analysis. It provides information about the health of your microbiome and gut lining.
It uses artificial intelligence and state-of-the-art metatranscriptomic technology to analyze the yeasts, fungi, viruses, molds, and bacteria in your gut.
Viome's Full Body Intelligence is their most comprehensive test yet. Unlike their basic gut test, it requires three samples for analysis—stool, blood, and saliva.
Based on your report, you still get the same personalized food recommendations and supplement suggestions from Viome's health experts.
But besides testing your gut bacteria and digestion, it also checks for different health markers, like:
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Ombre’s Gut Health Test is an excellent choice for budget-conscious people who want value for their money.
It provides one of the most accurate and comprehensive results on the gut microbiome.
The test analyzes bacterial activity and its effects on gut health. Ombre tops the list when it comes to patient privacy. It provides personalized recommendations based on test results.
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Verisana’s Leaky Gut Complete test kit is specially made to test for leaky gut syndrome.
It is considered a comprehensive stool analysis tool. It tests for numerous factors that affect the health of the gut microbiome.
Using a stool sample, the testing kit checks for intestinal permeability. It also analyzes gut flora and detects the presence of IgA and Zonulin.
Plus, it tests for Candida albicans and helps determine the overall health of the gut flora.
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Thorne’s Gut Microbiome Test provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the gut flora.
It has a personalized plan to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort and optimize overall health and wellness.
The test makes use of state-of-the-art sequencing technology. It is recommended for people experiencing symptoms such as:
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Our review of the best at-home Microbiome Tests.
| Viome Gut Intelligence Test | Viome Full Body Intelligence Test | Ombre’s Gut Health Test (Formerly Thryve) | Verisana Leaky Gut Complete | Thorne’s Gut Microbiome Test | |
| Cost | $249 | $399 | $99.99 | $249.95 | $198 |
| Type of sample used | Stool | Saliva Blood Stool | Stool | Stool | Stool |
| Results Time | Within 2 to 3 weeks | Within 2 to 3 weeks | Within 2 to 4 weeks | Around 3 weeks | Within 5 to 6 weeks |
| Website | Viome.com | Viome.com | Ombrelab.com | Verisana.com | Thorne.com |
Our dedicated team, together with our in-house health expert Dr. Rizza Mira, created criteria for choosing the best gut test for a leaky gut.
We ensure that our top picks meet the following:
Dysbiosis is an imbalance in the bacterial colonies living in the human gut. The imbalance caused by harmful bacteria overgrowth triggers an inflammatory process.4
It irritates the intestinal lining, where nutrient absorption takes place. As a result, the lining and the tight junctions of the intestines become hyper-permeable.
Increased intestinal permeability allows microscopic particles to enter the bloodstream. These include bacteria, toxins, and undigested food particles.
These foreign objects should not be in the bloodstream. The immune system attacks foreign particles entering the bloodstream to protect from “foreign invasion.”
When this happens, signs and symptoms of systemic inflammation are produced anywhere in the body. This explains why some symptoms of the leaky gut syndrome are not digestive in nature.
Summary
Dysbiosis is an imbalance in gut bacteria that triggers inflammation and hyper-permeability of the gut lining. It can cause a leaky gut, allowing foreign objects to enter the bloodstream.
The signs and symptoms of leaky gut syndrome may indicate digestive conditions.
These include inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
The most common symptoms are gastrointestinal tract-related, like bloating, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation.
Aside from digestive symptoms, here are other tell-tale signs that you may have a leaky gut:
Summary
Leaky gut syndrome can manifest as digestive conditions like IBD and IBS. It can also have other symptoms like anxiety, allergies, asthma, brain fog, chronic fatigue, and joint pain. Autoimmune disorders like Celiac disease and rheumatoid arthritis may also indicate a leaky gut.
Yes. Most leaky gut syndrome test kits use a stool sample to detect leaky gut. It’s the most common method of intestinal permeability tests.
Another option is a Zonulin test. It uses blood or stool to assess leaky gut or intestinal barrier function.5
Other tests, like the lactulose mannitol test, use a urine sample to assess gut damage.
Lactulose and mannitol are sugar molecules, and their presence is tested in urine. Lactulose normally represents gut damage, while mannitol measures small intestine function.
A healthy diet is one of the many ways to ensure gut health.
A poor diet will always result in poor gut health, depriving the body of essential nutrients. An unhealthy diet will lead to nutritional deficiency, which could lead to health problems.
Dietary factors play a huge part in gut health. Here are some foods you should avoid if you have leaky gut syndrome:
Like sugar, alcohol causes an imbalance in the gut. Research studies have shown that drinking in moderation may have health benefits, but excessive alcohol intake is never good.
Avoid consuming ice cream, cheese, and milk, especially in high amounts.
People with the leaky gut syndrome often experience gluten sensitivity. Doctors recommend a gluten-free diet by avoiding:
High-fiber foods would make great substitutes. Choose those rich in soluble fiber, like apples, citrus fruits, peas, potatoes, and strawberries.
Avoid processed meats like bacon, cold cuts, deli meats, hotdogs, and so on.
Excessive sugar intake can alter the normal balance in the gut microbiome.6 Avoid sugar-rich foods like cakes, cookies, sugary cereals, and candy bars.
You should cut down on foods with artificial sweeteners.
Use the elimination diet. It'll help you pin down your allergies to a specific food if you think you have a food allergy.
Do this until you figure out the cause of your allergy. Avoid trigger foods at all costs and look for healthier, safer alternatives.
Aside from avoiding unhealthy food and having a well-balanced diet, probiotic supplements could also help boost your gut health.
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Looking for the best microbiome kit on the market? Look no further! Our review round-up page has all the information you need to make an informed decision.
