Our gut microbiota, also known as intestinal flora, represents up to 100 trillion living microorganisms that reside in the digestive tract, specifically in the small intestine and colon.
It includes fungi, bacteria, and yeasts that are non-pathogenic and live in symbiosis with the rest of our body, each benefiting from the other.
The intestinal flora is essential and plays multiple roles in the body:
- in digestion, by ensuring the proper absorption and metabolism of dietary nutrients;
- for the synthesis of certain vitamins in the B group, vitamin K, and three amino acids (valine, leucine, isoleucine);
- for protection against pathogens by acting as a barrier and informing the immune system of the differences between commensal and pathogenic microorganisms;
- in the regulation of certain metabolic pathways (fatty acids, magnesium).
The gut microbiota is at the heart of research concerning its link with diseases. In the context of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, an imbalance of the flora has been observed and could be both a cause and consequence of the disease.
It may potentially play a role in metabolic diseases, obesity, cancer development, neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric disorders, and cardiovascular risks.
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What is the purpose of microbiota tests?
Given the interest of the microbiota in health, many laboratories have launched kits that allow analysis of the flora.
The purpose of microbiota tests is to analyze the composition of the intestinal flora represented by more than 1000 different species.
This allows for a comprehensive assessment to identify potential imbalances (depleted or enriched microbiota) causing discomfort and diseases.
The results of this analysis allow laboratories to provide personalized dietary advice to rebalance this microbiota.
How do microbiota tests work?
Laboratories use a stool sample analyzed using DNA sequencing technology to obtain the composition of the intestinal flora.
The respective quantities of different bacterial species are also highlighted.
How are tests conducted in practice?
To perform these tests, you need to purchase a kit from brand websites or directly from certain laboratories.
Once the kit is received, you can take a stool sample using the tools provided.
Then you need to send it by mail (or directly to a partner laboratory) in an envelope containing your sample.
A few weeks later, you receive the analysis results of the bacterial populations inhabiting your intestinal flora, as well as the average analysis of the reference population.
With this report, personalized recommendations are provided to optimize the rebalancing of this microbiota.
Some brands offer the possibility to consult a partner practitioner to explain these analysis results.
How much does it cost?
Microbiota analyses are not yet recognized and therefore cannot be prescribed by a health professional nor reimbursed.
Prices vary depending on the services. They start at around 100 euros, but most tests can be purchased within a range of 250 to 300 euros.
Who can take a microbiota test?
People with intestinal symptoms, even diseases, as well as anyone curious about the health state of their microbiota can decide to undertake these tests.
Do they have real utility?
Studies have shown that the gut microbiota could serve as a diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic marker for a wide range of pathologies and intestinal discomforts.
However, larger-scale studies are needed to validate this interest in analyzing intestinal flora.
The tests currently sold cannot yet claim to aid in diagnosis or the search for the best therapeutic approaches.
However, the future use of the microbiota as a biomarker seems promising.
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