How useful is it for the average person to get to know their gut flora? DIY gut flora kits can allow you to inspect this part of our system, but considering the complexity of this aspect of health, is it useful for consumers to carry out this task on their own? What are the potential benefits or downside to DIY gut flora testing?
Share your experience, rationale or research below and earn a coveted BS Buster badge while contributing knowledge to the CHOICE Community.
I read the https://www.choice.com.au/health-and-body/conditions/general-health/articles/diy-gut-flora-testing-kits review.
I don’t expect spending money for a test will solve any problems. I could equally buy some NASA high res surface pics of Mars to study. Possibly as interesting and useful.
I’ve used the services of three different GPS and two specialist Gastroenterologists, as has a close family member.
Some issues are definitely genetic. It is in our DNA. I’m just plumbed a little differently. Over two decades of expert support, it all comes down to a healthy life style for many of us. A test kit might have sent us in the wrong direction?
For the rest, science is still learning. Perhaps seeing a GP might be a better starting point. Even if you need some new words for scrabble, diving into a home test kit will not help as most of the terminology exceeds 8 letters!
No, it falls into the same boat as home DNA screening. While it may be interesting to see what the results are, will if really make a difference to one’s life.
The DIY gut flora tests will provide results which most likely will result in someone worrying there is something wrong and may make changes to their diet without fully knowing if it will be to the benefit or detriment of their gut flora.
If someone is thinking what their gut flora looks like, go and see a medical professional, get referred to a gut health specialist and take their advice to whether a test is required. It may be far cheaper pathway than doing an DIY test at home.
I think we cannot know the full ingredients and quality of those ingredients. Many years ago I took Blackmore’s probiotic for around a year or two and found nothing in my gut improved. I am in good health with a balanced diet (I have an annual blood test) and have a healthy energy level. I heard somewhere that the TGA just takes the word of brand’s science data when TGA should be testing. I thought TGA’s role is to test independently. Perhaps it is a combination of politics and inadequate funding?
These tests are still being developed, and different businesses produce different results which are not cross-comparable.
What’s the point of doing it if you are well? Not a lot, except learning a bit more about your inner workings. If you aren’t well, go down the medical path. Perhaps you may end up being referred for a test of your gut flora. If so, it will be be to a reputable lab, and the results will be reviewed by your GP or Gastroenteroligist so the results should be explained to you, as well as any resultant action required (such as a fecal transplant).
So save your cash.
Go drink some Kefir milk or water regularly, eat/drink some yoghurt regularly, eat a variety of good foods, drink some kombucha (if you don’t mind tea), ensure you get some dietary fibre everyday or a mix of any of the above (but always include eating good food) if you are worried about your gut biome. Doing this will improve/keep your gut health without the need to pay for some test/s that will only possibly alert you to an issue but will not fix the problem if one even exists.
If you have a problem with your gut then the first port of call should be your GP to carry out or arrange any investigations that might be needed. Some issues that a gut flora test would not likely pick up are very serious and If over 50 or younger if there is a “strong” family history of bowel cancer then a regular colonoscopy is worthwhile (if all clear then only needs repeating 3 to 5 yearly).
