Gut microbiome testing
With our gut microbiome test, you get to know the bacteria in your intestinal flora and how you can influence your gut bacteria in a positive direction since the right bacteria in the right place in the intestinal system is linked to increased well-being.
International delivery to your mailbox 5-10 working days after ordering
Gut microbiome testing - change begins with knowledge
Research shows that the intestinal flora can affect our immune system, our nervous system and the barrier function of the intestinal mucosa. In other words, the intestinal flora affects our well-being. The gut microbiome test is for those of you who are curious about your intestinal flora and want dietary advice based on the intestinal flora profile, or for those of you who already are on a particular diet and want to know if this suits your intestinal flora and is beneficial. The gut microbiome test is for those who want to know more about your gut health and try to influence it in a positive direction.
With our gut microbiome test, you get answers to which bacteria your intestinal flora consists of and also in what quantity. We also inform you about the role of your gut bacteria and possible connections between the intestinal flora and your health. With a sampling kit, you easily take a stool sample at home, which you then send to us by post. You create an account at mygutfeelinglabs.se where you can see the results within three weeks after we have received your sample.
This is the result you will receive from the microbiome test
We have chosen to measure a number of groups of bacteria that we know affect the gut and well-being:
- Presence of bacteria that are beneficial for the body
- Presence of potentially disease-causing bacteria
- Presence of bacteria that may be associated with health problems
Together with your test result, you will receive customized advice on diet and nutritional supplements that can help you favor the gut bacteria that produce health-promoting substances and reduce bacteria that may cause discomfort.
Curious about what a test result might look like?
The gut microbiome test - get your mind around the gut
Gut microbiome testing
The intestinal flora can affect us in several ways due to the different functions and properties of the gut bacteria. By testing the intestinal flora with us, you get to know the beneficial and less beneficial bacteria in your gut. Depending on your unique intestinal flora profile, you will then receive advice on diet and nutritional supplements to help promote the growth of your beneficial bacteria and reduce the less beneficial gut bacteria.
International delivery to your mailbox 5-10 working days after ordering
Information about the gut microbiome test
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Product information
The gut microbiome test is a simple stool test that you take at home and send to us by post. With the test, you will get to know relevant groups of gut bacteria and their quantity. You will also receive advice on diet and food supplements that may increase the bacteria that produce health-promoting substances and reduce those that may be associated with discomfort.
Before sending the sample to us, activate your sampling kit and create an account at mygutfeelinglabs.se (see Instruction manual). You will receive a message by mail within three weeks when the results are ready and you can then log in to your account via mygutfeelinglabs.se.
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Includes
The gut microbiome test kit contains:
- Clear instructions on how to perform the test and submit it to us
- Pre-stamped reply envelope
- Test tube
- Flushable sheet of paper that is placed on the toilet seat and facilitates sampling
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How it works
- You order a test of the intestinal flora here on our website.
- A sampling kit with instructions will be sent to your home. You can easily take the test at home whenever you want, and then return the test tube in the stamped response envelope.
- The analysis of your sample takes 1-3 weeks.
- When your sample has been analyzed, you will receive an email from us. You can then log in to "My pages" to see the results via mygutfeelinglabs.se. Together with the test results you will receive scientifically based information about diet and nutritional supplements that may help you to positively influence your intestinal flora.
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This is what the test measures
With our gut microbiome test, we measure bacteria of four categories:
- Potentially disease-causing bacteria
- Bacteria that may be associated with health problems
- Species richness and F/B ratio (the diversity of your intestinal flora and the ratio between the bacterial groups Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes).
- Bacteria associated with good health
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Common questions from our costumers
Can you really affect the intestinal flora yourself?
Yes, you actually can. It has been seen how both blood pressure and blood lipids improved in people where the intestinal flora changed with the help of diet change after just one week. Animal food or plant products can also radically affect the intestinal flora in such a short time. A research study showed that the composition of the intestinal flora changed within 24 hours after the subjects started eating diets with either high or low fat and dietary fiber content.
Another study showed that in people who ate resistant starch, “good” bacteria groups increased (depending on their personal intestinal flora profile beforehand). It is precisely for this reason that Gutfeeling Labs offers gut microbiome test for individual and person-based dietary advice.
How does my intestinal flora affect my well-being?
The greater the diversity (we call it species richness) of bacteria in your intestinal flora, the better. This is because an intestinal flora with fewer species of bacteria can cause unfavorable bacteria to multiply, with an increased risk of inflammation in the intestinal mucosa which often can affect the rest of the body.
Inflammatory conditions have in turn been shown to affect our mental wellbeing and contribute to depression and anxiety.
Studies have shown that several diseases are associated with dysbiosis (unbalanced intestinal flora). IBS, obesity, atherosclerosis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, gout, depression and arthritis are some of these conditions. Difference in intestinal flora has also been observed between healthy people and people with depression, autism, bipolar disorder, Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia.
Dietary fibers act as an important sources of energy for many "beneficial" intestinal bacteria. Some of these beneficial bacteria produce a short chain fatty acid called butyric acid. This short-chain fatty acid is produced by a variety of gut bacteria which feed on fibers from fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, whole grains, and legumes. Butyric acid is important for the cells of the intestinal lining because it helps keep the mucosa tight and intact, preventing leakage of gut fluids and subsequent inflammation in the gut wall and beyond. In addition to this, studies have also shown that butyric acid can stimulate the growth of brain cells.
Our gut microbiome test can show you what percentage of your gut bacteria can produce butyric acid. The dietary advice you receive together with the test results can give you guidance as to how to benefit the bacteria in the intestinal flora that produce butyric acid and thus benefit your health in the long run.
Plant-based foods that for example contain polyphenols (which are what give fruits, berries and vegetables their color and flavor) and resistant starch can also nourish gut bacteria that convert these substances into butyric acid and vitamins, supporting both your physical and mental health.
Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus have been shown to improve mental health and certain lactobacillus species have also been shown to increase stress tolerance and reduce anxiety. Some studies have even shown that taking probiotics can help alleviate low mood and in some cases depression.
Are there any precautions with the gut microbiome test, do's or don'ts before the test?
It is possible to do a gut microbiome test 1-2 weeks after a course of narrow-spectrum antibiotics? When taking broad-spectrum antibiotics, it is possible to do a gut microbiome test one month after the end of treatment. If you are taking supplements such as probiotics (for example, lactic acid bacteria), we recommend that you continue taking them when you do a gut microbiome test because the test can show whether the bacteria survive through the gastrointestinal tract and, thus, can be identified in your sample.
Why a stool test and not a blood test?
A stool sample is a safe and qualitative way to analyze gut bacteria. There exists a test that seems to be able to analyze bacteria-specific fatty acids and other organic molecules produced from bacteria in the blood and thereby give a picture of the profile of one's intestinal flora profile, but that approach is still very much at the experimental stage.
Why might it be interesting to do a test of your intestinal flora?
The intestinal flora can affect well-being according to a large number of scientific studies. Researchers have shown that the intestinal flora can have an impact on our immune system, the barrier function of the intestinal mucosa, and our well-being. Getting to know your intestinal flora, you can get a starting point to relate to and with information about food and dietary supplements have an opportunity to increase the proportion of bacteria that produce health-promoting substances.
How can you measure the percentage of intestinal flora bacteria that can produce substances such as butyric acid, propionic acid and folic acid?
By knowing which bacteria are found in the intestinal flora and using an algorithm we can analyze what proportion of the intestinal flora can produce, for example, anti-inflammatory fatty acids (butyric acid and propionic acid) and folic acid in relation to the intestinal flora bacteria that do not. In the same way, we can also measure a group of bacteria that can digest inulin, oligofructose and lactose.
Is analysis of fungi and parasites included in the test?
No.
Is it possible to analyse the intestinal flora of children?
It is possible to analyse the intestinal flora regardless of age. With small children under the age of 3, please contact info@gutfeelinglabs.se for help with evaluating the results.
We currently require a unique email address for each person to be analysed, as we do not allow one account to have access to multiple people's results. When you activate your child’s sampling kit, please use an e-mail that has not been used by anyone else at Gutfeeling Labs.
Is Gutfeeling Labs a quality assured laboratory?
The analyses themselves are carried out on commercial systems (Chemagic prime, Sciclone, and Illumina) and the machines handle our data in every step of the analysis process.
The Laboratory Management System (LIMS; via PlantVision) ensures data integrity for all laboratory information.
We ensure quality at every internal process and can therefore carry out our analyses with a quality guarantee at every step. In autumn 2023, we will certify according to ISO 17025.
Who owns the test results?
The data resulting from the analyzes belongs to Gutfeeling Labs. We do not resell test results or data, personal data or similar information. You can read more about how we comply with GDPR on our website. https://gutfeelinglabs.se/en/pages/integritetspolicy
How long after a course of antibiotics can you do a gut microbiome test?
The intestinal flora is affected differently depending on the type of antibiotic that has been used. Narrow-spectrum antibiotics (antibiotics that have an effect on a certain type of bacteria such as streptococci and staphylococci) such as penicillin and heracillin have less effect on the intestinal flora. Antibiotics for urinary tract infection are more directed against gut bacteria and have the potential to affect the intestinal flora to larger extent, while broad-spectrum antibiotics (often for more serious infections) often have a significantly greater impact on the intestinal flora. In general, it can be said that a test of the intestinal flora can be done two weeks after a course of narrow-spectrum antibiotics, one month after treatment of a urinary tract infection and with broad-spectrum antibiotics.
I take probiotics as a dietary supplement but want to measure my intestinal flora without the dietary supplement. How long after I stop my probiotics should I do a gut microbiome test?
The best thing about taking the test while taking probiotics is that you not only get answers on the levels of your "own" gut bacteria, but also on the levels of those you take as dietary supplements. We therefore usually recommend that you take the test while you are taking probiotics because you will then get an answer to how your probiotic supplements survive all the way through the gastrointestinal tract. If, after all, you wish to do a test without probiotic supplements, a one-week break is sufficient.
How quickly can you see the effect of changed dietary habits in the intestinal flora?
A intestinal flora change can take anything from 24 hours to months depending on the diet. Studies have shown that switching from an animal to a vegetarian diet can result in a changed intestinal flora within 24 hours, while increased fibre intake (resistant starch, inulin and beta-glucans) can change the species composition within weeks to months depending on your intestinal flora profile beforehand and what kind of fibres you add.
Can I order a gut microbiome test for someone else?
Yes. A test is linked to a person and account only when the activation of the sample takes place, which is explained carefully in the sampling instructions.
How soon is my sampling kit delivered?
We normally send out received orders the following business day. After that, 2-3 days are added for delivery via PostNord.
When can I expect to receive my results?
It takes 1-3 weeks to process the samples and compile the results. If there are delays due to unforeseen circumstances, you will be informed of this by email. If your sample has too much or too little test material, we will contact you by email and send out a new sampling kit without any extra costs.
How long does my sampling kit last?
Your sampling kit (including the test tube with liquid in it) can be stored at room temperature for up to two years before you take your samples. After you have taken your sample, the sample material in the tube is stable for months, but it is best if you return your samples to us as soon as possible after having taking the sample.
Will my test tube smell?
No. The solution in the test tube stabilizes the sample so that no smelly gas can be produced.
Can the gut microbiome test diagnose diseases?
No. The gut microbiome test is not a diagnostic tool, cannot diagnose diseases and should not be used for that purpose.
Can you guarantee that my intestinal flora will change if I change my diet following your general information about diet and nutritional supplements?
The intestinal flora is individual and can change due to a number of factors. Our hope is that your results and the information about diet and nutritional supplements based on your intestinal flora profile will inspire a more health-centred lifestyle and a more balanced intestinal flora, but we cannot guarantee this.
How do my test results compare?
Reference values regarding number of bacteria, bacterial production of butyric acid and propionic acid, digestion of inulin and oligofructose and lactose and production of folic acid are taken from a large study (TwinsUK) with a database consisting of results of the intestinal flora profile from over 3000 predominantly healthy individuals: (http://twinsuk.ac.uk/resources-for-researchers/access-our-data/)
I have a low value on the Simpson index, that is, a low species richness, should I worry?
No. The gut bacterial diversity is individual and the concept of "normal flora" does not exist. Each person has their own unique mix of microbes, which can change over time.
I have 0% Akkermansia, should I worry?
No. A value of 0% of the bacterium Akkermansia may be because you have such low levels that our method cannot measure this bacterium and does not necessarily mean that Akkermansia is completely absent. Akkermansia is available https://supplementhub.com To try to increase the amount of Akkermansia, you can feed these bacteria, or feed bacteria that in turn can produce substances that Akkermansia can use for growth. Akkermansia is a slowly growing bacteria, so it may take months before you can see a result on any increased amounts of this bacteria.
I have a low proportion of folic acid-producing bacteria, am I deficient in folic acid then?
We do not analyse whether you have a lack of folic acid in your body. This can only be done via a blood test. You get folic acid through your diet, including by eating beans, lentils, spinach, rocket, broccoli and other foods rich in folic acid. Humans need folic acid to build and repair their DNA. Research shows that folic acid can be produced by certain intestinal bacteria. Research has indicated that a local production of folic acid in the intestine can potentially benefit the cells of the colonic mucosa by contributing to optimal DNA repair.
I have a high value for Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, should I worry?
No. Occurrence of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is individual and can also change over time.
Is test of fungi and parasites included in the test?
Unfortunately, test of fungi and parasites is not included.
Does pregnancy affect the outcome?
No, pregnancy does not affect the test results unless you have taken antibiotics.
How much does the food you ate just days before affect the test?
We see that with a "normal" varied dietary intake, the bacterial species richness is very constant. If, on the other hand, one increases one's intake of lactic acid bacteria on top of a "normal" varied dietary intake, we can see that precisely these bacteria can increase while the total species richness is essentially constant.
What makes Gutfeeling Lab's microbiome test unique?
By knowing which gut bacteria a person has, this database can be used to identify which substances the intestinal flora can produce and digest. The method means that you can analyse what percentage of the intestinal bacteria can, for example, produce butyric acid, a substance that has been shown to have a stabilizing effect on the intestinal barrier and anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, it is possible to measure what proportion of the intestinal flora can digest dietary fibres. This is of interest because research has shown that breaking down certain dietary fibres can result in reduced sweet cravings and feelings of hunger.
How is my identity protected?
Your privacy is our top priority. To ensure your personal integrity, your test is linked to an anonymous and unique test number throughout the process. After analysis, we use your email address to contact you. Only Gutfeeling Labs employees have access to this data. Our data server is in a facility (Ideon-IT in Lund) with built-in data and fire safety.
If I have tried diet and nutritional supplements but am still not satisfied with the results (for example regarding species richness and Akkermansia) can you offer a faecal transplant (FMT)?
Unfortunately, we cannot offer that.
I forgot to create a password via the link I received in the email after my order, what do I do?
You can do this via FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD under LOGIN at: my.gutfeelinglabs.se.
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Scientific references
We think it is important that you know the scientific background. Here you will find our references.
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- Lynch SV, Pedersen O. The human intestinal microbiome in health and disease. N Engl J Med 2016; 375: 2369-2379
- https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2023285119
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5859128/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4367209/
- Sonnenburg JL, Backhed F. Diet-microbiota interactions as moderators of human metabolism. Nature 2016; 535: 56-64
- Asnicar, Francesco et al. Microbiome connections with host metabolism and habitual diet from 1,098 deeply phenotyped individuals Nature medicine vol. 27,2 (2021): 321-332. doi:10.1038/s41591-020-01183-8
- Durack, Juliana, and Susan V Lynch. “The gut microbiome: Relationships with disease and opportunities for therapy.” The Journal of experimental medicine vol. 216,1 (2019): 20-40. doi:10.1084/jem.20180448
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