Did you know that there are over 100 trillion bacteria residing inside your stomach? That’s 10 times the number of microorganisms in and on the rest of your body. These bacteria—about 5,000 different species—make up your microbiome. For years, scientists have been regarding it as an organ in and of itself, largely due to its significant role in overall human health. A well-balanced gut microbiome aids digestion, optimizes metabolism, synthesizes nutrients from food, and strengthens the immune system, among a long list of benefits.
There are two ways gut balance may be disrupted: if bad bacteria outnumber good bacteria and if the bacteria species aren’t diverse enough. When one of these happens, there’s a higher risk of contracting gastrointestinal problems and even autoimmune diseases. If you suffer from these conditions or want to prevent them, it’s important to test your gut microbiome as early as now.
In the past few years, the use of self-test kits has been gaining popularity as a convenient and effective way of analyzing gut health. Here’s are 3 reasons why you need to get a gut microbiome test:
- Prevents Risks Of Self-Diagnosis
The Internet is a goldmine of information, including symptoms and treatments for medical conditions. When you start to feel physical discomfort, what’s the first thing you usually do? Most likely, you make an online search. Many people rely on online sources that are based on general data. Unlike medical tests, online materials lack the depth to cover factors that are unique to each individual, such as specific health conditions and family medical history.
People experiencing bloating or diarrhea may turn to the Internet for medical advice and believe that eating yogurt daily will ease their symptoms. Sure, probiotics are good for gut health, but they’re not the one-size-fits-all solution to gastrointestinal problems. By conducting a test, you’ll be able to analyze the makeup of your microbiome and narrow down the exact cause of the problem. Knowing what caused the problem is essential to knowing how to effectively cure it.
- Squashes Potential Diseases
In some cases, people aren’t aware that they have a medical condition because they don’t experience any symptoms. That could be true for gut health too. A microbiome test can tell you what you have and what you’re missing without having to rely on symptoms or a lack thereof.
Remember, your gut is comprised of both good and bad bacteria. You might not feel discomfort caused by high levels of bad bacteria, but on the other hand, you might be lacking good bacteria. That’s equally detrimental to your gut health, and you won’t have a way to know it from mere observation.
- Guides Your Gut Treatment
When treating gastrointestinal illnesses, the goal is to balance out the good and bad microorganisms to restore the gut’s equilibrium. Microbiome tests can help you gauge your progress toward this goal. Under the guidance of a medical practitioner, regular testing determines what kind of treatment you need and helps create a roadmap for your recovery.
In medicine, there are such things as overtreatment and undertreatment. Using aggressive methods may cause more harm than good. You might end up with a more damaged gut than what you initially had. On the contrary, insufficient treatment may render your gut weaker and more prone to future risks.
Don’t Rely On Gut Feel
Skimping on proper microbiome tests may feel like an economically sound choice, but it’s actually the opposite. It could lead to misdiagnosis and wrong treatment, which means wasting more money, time, and effort. Your gut takes care of your wellness, so you should take good care of it too.
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