Lab Tests: Gut Microbiome Testing

What is Your Gut Microbiome?

Your gut microbiome, also known as flora, consists of the billions of microorganisms located in your digestive tract. These bacteria are responsible for aiding digestion and ensuring that your intestines stay in good health.

Everyone’s gut microbiome is unique, and as a result, no two diet plans will be the same. Knowing what is in your gut microbiome can help you optimize your digestive system naturally.

It can be difficult to figure out what your digestive system needs to work its best without going through a lot of trial and error. Gut microbiome testing takes out the guesswork so you can target your specific health needs and feel your best year-round.

Causes of an Imbalanced Gut Microbiome

The phrase ‘you are what you eat’ isn’t an exaggeration. The flora in your intestines change quickly, responding to the variation in what you eat to ensure maximum absorption. That means that what you put into your body directly influences your overall health.

Although what you eat is a considerable influence on your gut microbiome, there are many potential causes of digestive imbalance.

Causes of an imbalanced gut microbiome include:

• Poor diet (especially one high in fats and low in fruits and vegetables)
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Improper antibiotic use
• Cigarette use
• Stress
• Sleep deficiency
• Lack of exercise

An imbalance in any one of these can impact the health of your digestive system. Once you know what’s in your gut microbiome, you can make dietary and lifestyle changes that will impact your health and your waistline quickly.

At-Home Gut Microbiome Testing

Gut microbiome testing can benefit anyone who wants to optimize the bacteria in their intestines to promote long-term well-being and overall better health.

At-home gut microbiome testing is a fast, convenient way to identify the types and amounts of flora present in your digestive system. Our certified nurse comes directly to you to take a sample – a swab from your used toilet paper – which we then take back to the lab for testing. This sample only takes a few minutes to take and can be performed not only at your home, but your office, a hotel, a dorm, or elsewhere in Los Angeles.

We bring the appointment to you so that you can enjoy the benefits of knowing what’s in your gut microbiome on your time and schedule.

Symptoms of an Imbalanced Gut Microbiome

When your gut is in balance, you will feel better and stay healthier overall.

Our gut microbiome test can help you figure out what’s in your digestive tract and the levels of good and bad bacteria present. Having an imbalance of these bacteria can contribute to a variety of symptoms.

Symptoms of an imbalanced gut microbiome include:

• Weight gain
• Bloating
• Abdominal discomfort
• Weak immune system
• Unexplained fluctuations in mood

Many of these symptoms overlap with other conditions, so it is possible to have an imbalanced gut microbiome without even realizing it. With our lab test, you can identify whether your body is in balance and take steps to ensure that your gut microbiome is performing at its best.

Next Steps for Gut Microbiome Testing

Once your lab test results are in, Concierge MD will consult with you and provide a full, detailed explanation about the test and answer any questions you may have about your gut microbiome. You’ll receive a full documentation of your test results along with a personalized assessment.

From there, we can customize a treatment plan for you that takes into consideration your lifestyle and personal preferences, creating the optimal way to keep your gut microbiome in balance naturally as part of your long-term preventive health care plan.

When you know what’s causing your symptoms and what your gut microbiome needs to perform its best, you can make adjustments to your diet and lifestyle to optimize the health of your digestive system so that you feel and look great year-round.