Gut Microbiome Testing

About Gut Microbiome

Our gut microbiome is a diverse community of microorganisms which includes
bacteria, fungi, viruses, pathogens and food particles, all of which inhabit our
gastrointestinal tract. These microorganisms play a crucial role in various
physiological processes, including digestion, metabolism, protection against
pathogens as well as hormone, immune and energy regulation.

Our gut microbiome can be influenced by many factors such as diet, genetics,
lifestyle and our environmental exposures. Understanding how we as humans can
achieve microbiome balance can contribute towards our overall health and
wellbeing, and longevity.

Do you suffer from digestive issues?

Addressing our microbiome imbalances can help reduce associated health
conditions such as gut dysbiosis , IBS *, IBD metabolic disorders, gut dysbiosis,
autoimmune diseases and food sensitivities. This is due to imbalancing causing
our bad bacteria to eat away at the mucosal (intestinal) lining of our gut. This leads
to the break down of the structural integrity of our digestive system and causes
bad bacteria, pathogens, viruses, toxins and undigested food proteins to enter the
bloodstream. This then causes additional strain on our immune system and can
lead to later chronic health conditions, if not corrected.

What other effects could a microbiome imbalance cause?

Menopause**

When it comes to microbiome imbalance and menopause it can have several
effects on women’s health, but the most noticeable is that the symptoms become
somewhat magnified and the symptoms of menopause are exacerbated. This can
increase:

• Hot flushes
• Mood Swings
• Vaginal Dryness
• Sleep disturbances
• Weight gain due to poor metabolism and risk of type 2 diabetes
• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease

Autism***

There is growing research exploring the links between Autism and gut
microbiome, however the area is very complex and should consider multiple
factors:

• Gut Brain Axis and how our gut communicates to our brain and how it influences our function and behaviour through reduced metabolites such as neurotransmitters.
• Lower Gut Diversity typically found in Autistic children vs neurotypical individuals
• How microbiome imbalances can contribute to immune dysregulation and inflammation in autistic individuals
• How autistic individuals may experience increase digestive issues that can then contribute to behavioural symptoms associated with autism
• Consumption of regular prebiotics and probiotics to help alleviate the symptoms.

Depression****

There is growing evidence that there is an integral relationship between our gut
microbiome and depression, given our microbiome produces neurotransmitters
such as dopamine and serotonin (of which 90% of which is generated from the
gut), of which are hormones that regulate our mood.

More importantly we also have the gut brain axis, which is served via the vagus
nerve, where signals are sent from the gut to the brain. Imbalances can impair this
communication pathway and therefore influence mood or behaviour.

The gut is also responsible for hormone regulation, which includes cortisol which
controls the body’s response to stress. This means the imbalances within the gut
can increase vulnerability to stress. The gut is also heavily involved in the
metabolism of vitamins and minerals which is essential for brain health, so if we
have an impaired microbiome we could potentially be affecting our brain function,
as well as mood regulation.

What does the research tell us?

Following a personalised microbiome rebalancing diet guide can help coach you
through naturally rebalancing your gut microbiome. Following these protocols can aid
symptomatic improvements within just 6 weeks. Published papers using our gut
microbiome test saw the below improvements:

• 83% improvement in constipation symptoms*****
• 82% average improvement in IBS symptoms******
• On average patients reported 7.2KG of weight loss
• 63% increase in energy levels
• 42% improvement in sleep disorders
• 18% improvement in overall microbiome diversity

How do you take a microbiome test?

Our Microbiome test is an easy to do home to laboratory testing service, where
the kit is shipped direct to you and you conduct the testing in the comfort of
your own home. The test is a simple at home stool swab where the sample is
collected using toilet roll. Easy right?

Check out YourGutMap and their instructions for use video below:

What happens to my stool sample?

Once your sample has arrived, you will be informed via email that your sample
has safely arrived in YourGutMap’s UK distribution centre. From there the sample
is shipped to their laboratory in Austria for analysis.

YourGutMap’s Laboratory Commitment – Your Sample Is In Safe Hands

A Comprehensive Gut Microbiome Test

Your stool sample will be analysed against thousands of bacteria, both good and
bad. Using YourGutMap’s AI Powered Health Reporting Software, they are able to
provide detailed insights into how your personal microbiome profile could be
affecting your health, giving insights into:

We will also provide a more personalised approach to nutrition in the form of food
recommendations for 300 food and drinks. All foods and drinks have different
qualities that affect your microbiome (good and bad). Your Personal Diet Guide
allows you to naturally rebalance and optimise your microbiome by making
simple adjustments to your diet. Your will be advised by a simple red, amber and
blue scheme as to:

• What foods to consume to help replenish the microbiome
• What foods to avoid to help starve the gut of bad bacteria

GUT MICROBIOME TEST -SAMPLE COLLECTION HOME TO LABORATORY TESTING KIT

* IBS – Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the digestive system. It causes symptoms like stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. These tend to come and go over time, and can last for days, weeks or months at a time. It’s usually a lifelong problem. It can be very frustrating to live with and can have a big impact on your everyday life.

** Menopause – The Gut Microbiome and Female Health, Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui,Zinb Makhlouf, Ahmad M. Alharbi,Hasan Alfahemi and Naveed Ahmed Khan, 2022

*** Autism – Role of the Gut Microbiome in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2019, Joby Pulikkan, Agnisrota Mazumder & Tony Grace

**** Depression – Gut microbiome in atypical depression, lAnne Busch a b c, Sagnik Roy a, Dario Lucas Helbing d e f g, Lejla Colic d e i, Nils Opel d e h, Bianca Besteher d e, Martin Walter d e h i j, Michael Bauer b c, Alexander
Refisch, 2024

***** Efficacy of AI-Assisted Personalized Microbiome Modulation by Diet in Functional Constipation: A Randomized Controlled Trial – Naciye Çi ˘gdem Arslan 1, Aycan Gündo ˘gdu 2, Varol Tunali 3,4, , O ˘guzhan Hakan Topgül 1, Damla Beyazgül 5 and Özkan Ufuk Nalbanto ˘glu 6

****** Artificial intelligence-based personalized diet: A pilot clinical study for irritable bowel syndrome – Tarkan Karakan, Aycan Gundogdu, Hakan Alagözlü, Nergiz Ekmen, Seckin Ozgul, Varol Tunali, Mehmet Hora, Damla Beyazgul & O. Ufuk Nalbantoglu