It’s More than a Gut Feeling when it Comes to Your Health
The terms ‘gut health’ and the ‘ gut microbiome’ are the latest buzz words in the scientific and nutrition world. And for good reason too, over the last decade research has discovered that a huge number of health issues can be influenced by the composition of bacteria living in your gastrointestinal system which are collectively known as the microbiome.
The trillions of bacteria that live in your gut can affect your epigenetics and influence your hormones, skin, mental health and contribute to a host of chronic diseases.
Although the scientific discoveries about the gut have exploded there is still so much yet to be discovered.
Read on to discover what the science is saying about the problems that can be caused or worsened by poor gut health and the most advanced at home test you can do without a practitioner to find out what is going on in your gut.
The Viome microbiome test provides insight on how to optimise gut function which in turn will optimise your energy, immune health, weight and more. This test shows which foods are your personal superfoods and which foods should be avoided, the probiotics that are missing, prebiotics, supplements and more. Viome gut microbiome tests are available in many different countries around the world.
Health Issues Stemming from Poor Gut Health
Research shows poor gut health can cause hormonal issues, skin issues such as acne, eczema and rashes, can have a major impact on mental health, immune health and suseptability to a number of chronic diseases. Read below to find out more.
Hormonal issues
Gut microbes are increasingly being recognised for their role in influencing estrogen, testosterone, insulin, thyroid, stress and other hormones. In fact, the gut microbiome plays a significant role in the endocrine and reproductive system (Qi et al., 2021).
Estrogen is regulated by the gut microbiome via the secretion of an enzyme called β-glucuronidase. This enzyme assists with transforming estrogen into active forms. When this process is impaired this results in lower estrogen levels.
The composition of gut microbes has been shown to influence thyroid hormones, certain bacteria increase the odds of being hyperthyroid. Increased levels of enterococcus bacteria and low levels of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were significant between hyperthyroid and the healthy control group (Zhou et al., 2014).
Around 90% of melatonin is produced by microbes living in our gut. Melatonin is not just necessary for sleep but producing serotonin which helps with mood (Yano et al., 2015).
Skin issues
Skin issues such as acne, dermatitis, dandruff, rosacea, wound healing and even some skin cancers are affected by the composition of bacteria in the gut (De Pessemier et al., 2021)
Mental health issues
Depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions are affected by the health of the gut. There are millions of nerves and neurons that are connected from the brain to the gut which is known as the gut brain axis. These connections influence chemical and physical reactions affecting the central and enteric nervous systems. A number of microbes have been associated with depression according to research (Eltokhi & Sommer, 2022).
Diseases
A microbiome with an imbalance of harmful bacteria can increase the probability of contracting a number of diseases such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and some types of cancer (Qi et al., 2021). this study, we performed bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing on DNA isolated from fecal samples in order to compare the composition of the gut microbiome in participants with and without a diagnosis of dementia due to AD. We discovered that the gut microbiome of AD participants has decreased microbial richness and diversity and a distinct composition compared to asymptomatic age- and sex-matched Control participants. We also identified several broad taxonomic differences between AD and Control groups, and determined that levels of differentially abundant genera correlate with CSF biomarkers of AD pathology.
Feacal samples with low bacterial diversity and/or dysbiosis of the gut has been observed in those with Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, diabetes, IBD, and Parkinson’s disease in comparison to healthy control groups (Vogt et al., 2017).
However although the associations have been made continually through the scientific literature the exact mechanisms are incomplete.
Immune system
The gut microbiome play a crucial role in helping the body fight off pathogens and is fundamental to the “maturation and education of the immune system” (Magne et al., 2020). As research continues to emerge, it has become clear that when the homeostasis of the gut is impacted disrupted the immune system is negatively affected which can increase our susceptibility to viral and bacterial infections (Harper et al., 2021).
What is the best test for gut health?
One of the leaders in at home microbiome testing that you can do without a practitioner is Viome (scroll down for button to click through to their website). The Viome Gut Intelligence Test provides an analysis on over 20 different insights into our health status.
It also offers 400 personalised food recommendations which are categorised into avoid, superfoods, minimise and enjoy. Due to each person’s gut microbiome being unique what is a healthy superfood for one person may be on the avoid list for another.
Additionally there are 200 different supplement recommendations that may be chosen for your unique requirements.
What does the Viome Gut tests show?
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- Biological age – are you older or younger than your chronological age?
- Metabolic fitness – indications regarding blood sugar, weight and insulin
- Digestive efficiency – how well are you absorbing nutrients, macronutrient breakdown, protein fermentation and more
- Microbe composition – beneficial & harmful bacteria
- Intestinal barrier health
- Level of inflammation in the gut
- And more!
Quick facts about the Viome Gut Test
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- Uses the latest RNA technology to identify gut microbes
- Personalised recommendations are provided to optimise health
- At home collection of stool sample
- Mail to the lab and obtain results in 4 weeks
- Over 20 scores that provide insight into your health are provided
My thoughts as a gut health specialist and nutritionist
Nutrition is not a one size fits all, unfortunately it is not that simple, hence why there is so much confusion about what to eat.
Although there is still much to be discovered about the gut microbiome, the research has come a long way over the last decade. The gut microbiome test by Viome can provide some valuable insight into your health and provide personalised supplement and food recommendations. As the research and technology evolves these tests are going to further revolutionise health care.
Personally, I believe that Viome is the most advanced in the information they provide and their reporting after looking at all the competitors. Viome is the test I recommend for my clients, you can find out more or buy your test from the link below, and don’t forget to use the Viome discount code SUNSHINEHEALTH to save over $150AU. You can contact me here with any questions you have.
At Home Gut Health Test – Viome
You can order this test with a click of a button, do the stool sample from the comfort of your own home and get results without a practitioner
The health of your gut affects almost every aspect of your health, if there is an imbalance in your gut then the body will not be in balance. Optimising gut function will optimise your energy, immune health, weight and more. This test shows which foods are ideal for your unique microbial composition, probiotics, prebiotics, supplements and more.
Once you recieve the test you will take a pea sized sample of your stool from the comfort of your home and then post it, the results will be available in a few weeks.
Save over $150AU with discount code SUNSHINEHEALTH
Clicking this button will take you to the Viome website.
When you use my discount code SUNSHINEHEALTH to save over $150AU I receive a small commission from Viome because I believe in their product and recommend them. This helps me to continue to research and advise on the best health products as a university qualified holistic nutritionist.
References
De Pessemier, B., Grine, L., Debaere, M., Maes, A., Paetzold, B., & Callewaert, C. (2021). Gut–Skin Axis: Current Knowledge of the Interrelationship between Microbial Dysbiosis and Skin Conditions. Microorganisms, 9(2), 353. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9020353
Eltokhi, A., & Sommer, I. (2022). A Reciprocal Link Between Gut Microbiota, Inflammation and Depression: A Place for Probiotics?. Frontiers In Neuroscience, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2022.852506
Harper, A., Vijayakumar, V., Ouwehand, A., ter Haar, J., Obis, D., & Espadaler, J. et al. (2021). Viral Infections, the Microbiome, and Probiotics. Frontiers In Cellular And Infection Microbiology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2020.596166
Magne, F., Gotteland, M., Gauthier, L., Zazueta, A., Pesoa, S., Navarrete, P., & Balamurugan, R. (2020). The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes Ratio: A Relevant Marker of Gut Dysbiosis in Obese Patients?. Nutrients, 12(5), 1474. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12051474
Qi, X., Yun, C., Pang, Y., & Qiao, J. (2021). The impact of the gut microbiota on the reproductive and metabolic endocrine system. Gut microbes, 13(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2021.1894070
Vogt, N., Kerby, R., Dill-McFarland, K., Harding, S., Merluzzi, A., & Johnson, S. et al. (2017). Gut microbiome alterations in Alzheimer’s disease. Scientific Reports, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-13601-y
Yano, J., Yu, K., Donaldson, G., Shastri, G., Ann, P., & Ma, L. et al. (2015). Indigenous Bacteria from the Gut Microbiota Regulate Host Serotonin Biosynthesis. Cell, 161(2), 264-276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2015.02.047
Zhou, L., Li, X., Ahmed, A., Wu, D., Liu, L., & Qiu, J. et al. (2014). Gut Microbe Analysis Between Hyperthyroid and Healthy Individuals. Current Microbiology, 69(5), 675-680. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-014-0640-6
By nutritionist Chrissy
Chrissy is a university qualified nutritionist who graduated with honours at La Trobe University in Melbourne. One of her favourite hobbies is to read the scientific literature on how to optimise health. When she’s not reading, writing or working she’s with her 3 children outdoors, practicing yoga, jogging or cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Chrissy has overcome some debilitating chronic health issues (low mood, adrenal fatigue, insomnia, very bad acne to name a few) with the power of nutrients and correcting gut health, at 39 she now feels better than she did in her 20’s.