What is the intestinal microbiome?

Your intestinal microbiome is a highly complex ecosystem of billions of microorganisms living in your digestive tract. These tiny helpers play a central role in your digestion, your immune system, and even your mental health. A balanced microbiome protects the intestinal lining, produces vital nutrients, and has anti-inflammatory effects.

However, if dysbiosis is present – that is, an imbalance in the composition of the gut flora – symptoms such as bloating, digestive problems, increased susceptibility to infections, or skin problems can occur. To counteract this early on, a targeted analysis is worthwhile. You can find more information on our topic page about gut health .

What does a microbiome analysis show you?

A modern stool analysis can precisely determine the bacterial composition of your gut flora. This includes analyzing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio , an important marker for your gut balance. The abundance of protective bacteria such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii or Akkermansia muciniphila is also measured – both are considered part of the mucosa-protective flora , which can protect your intestinal lining from inflammation and irritation.

An imbalanced microbiome can also affect your mental health. The so-called gut-brain axis is a fascinating field of research that describes the interaction between your gut and the central nervous system. An analysis can therefore show you not only what's going on in your gut, but also how your microbiome affects your overall well-being. Intrigued? Then check out our microbiome product range .

What you can learn from a microbiome test

Our gut flora microbiome test for adults uses the latest next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology to precisely map your individual microbiome. You'll receive a detailed analysis of your enterotypes and advice on how to specifically support your flora with probiotics and prebiotics .

This test will tell you:

whether you have dysbiosis ,
how high the microbiological diversity is in your gut,
which bacterial strains should be strengthened,
and how you can stabilize your microbiome in the long term through a high-fiber diet.

The results could be your key to more energy, fewer digestive problems, and a better immune balance. Here you'll find an overview of the microbiome test .

Why test early?

Many people only realize late that their symptoms are related to an imbalanced microbiome. A simple at-home test can help you take proactive steps and initiate the right course of action. The combination of modern laboratory methods, scientific analysis, and concrete recommendations makes our microbiome test an ideal starting point for improving your gut health.

A high-fiber diet as a microbiome booster

A balanced, high-fiber diet is one of the most effective ways to positively influence your gut flora. Fiber serves as food for probiotic bacteria and promotes their growth in the gut. Soluble fiber from oats, flaxseeds, legumes, or fruits and vegetables is particularly effective in stimulating the growth of beneficial microbes. These microorganisms, in turn, produce short-chain fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory properties and strengthen your intestinal barrier.

Furthermore, a diet rich in fiber helps to regulate the balance of the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio , which can contribute to the long-term prevention of obesity, type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders.

The role of the mucosa-protective flora for the intestinal mucosa

The mucosaprotective flora , especially Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Akkermansia muciniphila , plays a central role in maintaining the integrity of your intestinal lining. These bacteria support the production of mucus, which forms a protective layer on the intestinal wall and acts as a barrier against pathogens. They also promote the production of anti-inflammatory messenger substances that positively influence your immune system.

A deficiency of these protective bacteria can lead to a so-called leaky gut syndrome – an increased permeability of the intestinal wall, which is associated with chronic inflammation, skin problems and food intolerances.

Scientific references:

Qin J et al. A human gut microbial gene catalog established by metagenomic sequencing. Nature , 2010.
Lozupone CA et al. Diversity, stability and resilience of the human gut microbiota. Nature , 2012.
Cryan JF et al. The microbiota-gut-brain axis. Physiol Rev , 2019.
Arumugam M et al. Enterotypes of the human gut microbiome. Nature , 2011.
Everard A et al. Cross-talk between Akkermansia muciniphila and intestinal epithelium controls diet-induced obesity. PNAS , 2013.