How to Test My Microbiome at Home?

Advancements in next-generation sequencing (NGS) have made it easier for consumers to analyse their microbiome at home, providing insights into digestion, immune function and risks for chronic conditions like obesity and inflammatory bowel disease. (Kashyap et al., 2013; Mills et al., 2019) What was once confined to research labs is now accessible to individuals through at-home testing kits.

Testing your microbiome at home involves using specialised kits that analyse stool, saliva, or skin samples to provide insights into the composition of your microbiota.

At-Home Microbiome Testing Walkthrough

Choose a Testing Kit: Several companies offer microbiome testing kits that can be purchased online. The most common ones focus on gut bacteria via stool samples, while others may analyse saliva or skin samples.

Sample Collection: The kit will come with tools to collect your sample, usually a test tube for stool, saliva, or skin swabs. Each kit typically contains instructions, a sterile collection tool, a labelled container for the sample, and a prepaid shipping label to send the sample back to the lab for analysis.

Return Your Sample: After collecting the sample, you place it in the provided container, label it, and use the prepaid shipping label to return it to the lab.

DNA Analysis: Once the sample reaches the lab, it undergoes DNA sequencing, usually through next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques. This process identifies the types and quantities of bacteria and other microbes in the sample. (Franzosa et al., 2018)

Results: After the analysis, the company provides a detailed report of your microbiome, including the diversity and relative abundance of microbes. Some tests may offer personalised health or dietary recommendations based on your microbiome profile. (Mills et al., 2019)

Actionable Insights: Based on your results, you may be able to adjust your diet or lifestyle to improve your microbiome balance and overall health.

Conclusion
At-home microbiome testing relies on the use of NGS, which sequences the DNA of the microorganisms in your sample. This technology has been validated in numerous scientific studies and is widely used in microbiome research. (Turnbaugh et al., 2007) Companies typically compare your microbiome profile against large databases of microbial genomes to provide insights into how your microbiome compares to others in terms of diversity and health markers. (Human Microbiome Project Consortium, 2012)


While at-home microbiome tests are an exciting development in personalised health and have become a beacon in providing valuable information, it’s important to note that the science is still evolving. The relationships between specific microbes and health conditions are not fully understood yet and more research is needed to translate these findings into actionable clinical advice (Zhernakova et al., 2016). As research into the human microbiome continues, these tests will likely become even more accurate and influential in shaping personalised health strategies.