BiomeFx
Stool
Performed by: Microbiome Labs
BiomeFx by Microbiome Labs is a comprehensive stool test designed to provide a detailed analysis of the gut microbiome. This advanced test utilizes DNA sequencing technology to examine the balance of beneficial microbes and pathogens in the gut, as well as their potential functions and impacts on overall health. BiomeFx offers practitioners a unique reporting system that allows them to understand the functional aspects of the gut microbiome, identify dysbiosis ratios, and pinpoint overproduced or underproduced metabolites. The test analyzes the abundance of 14 important keystone species, 29+ pathogens, and provides insights into microbial cross-feeding relationships and 20+ functions of the microbiome. With this information, healthcare providers can develop personalized nutrition, lifestyle, and supplement recommendations to improve the balance of the microbiome and address various health concerns.
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Biomarkers included in this panel:
Acetate production
Acetate is another SCFA produced by gut bacteria through the fermentation of prebiotic fibers like inulin and GOS or unabsorbed peptides and fats. Gut-derived acetate production is tightly regulated within the microbiome and determined by the presenc
Learn moreAkkermansia muciniphila
Akkermansia muciniphila may represent 3–5% of the microbial composition in the healthy human intestinal tract, and have a crucial role in the regulation of the gut barrier and other homeostatic and metabolic functions.
Learn moreAlpha Diversity
In ecology, Alpha Diversity describes a particular ecosystem by combining information about the number of species observed and their abundance. This marker evaluates your gut microbiome by looking at your own personal species diversity, which can be
Learn moreAmmonia production
Ammonia is a normal by-product of the microbial fermentation of amino acids, particularly glutamine. This process is carried out by various commensal bacteria, including Clostridia, Enterobacteria, Bacillus spp., E. coli, Staphylococcus, and Fusobact
Learn moreBeta Diversity
Beta Diversity is the variation of species when comparing the composition of two separate ecosystems. This marker compares the composition of your gut microbiome to healthy populations in order to illustrate notable differences. A higher Beta Diversi
Learn moreBifidobacterium adolescentis is a beneficial bacterium commonly found in the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract, particularly in the intestines. The presence and quantity of Bifidobacterium adolescentis are significant because it plays a crucial role
Learn moreBifidobacterium longum
Bifidobacterium longum is a specific species of microscopic non-pathogenic bacteria found naturally in the gastrointestinal tracts of humans as well as in most other animals.
Learn moreBilophila wadsworthia is a sulfate-reducing bacterium that naturally occurs in the human gut microbiome, typically in small quantities. This anaerobic, gram-negative bacillus was first isolated in 1989 and is known for its ability to thrive in bile-r
Learn moreButyrate production
Butyrate is arguably the most important SCFA, yet it comprises only 15-20% of total SCFA production. Butyrate enhances intestinal barrier function, acts as a fuel source for enterocytes, scavenges ammonia, regulates the immune system, reduces oxidati
Learn moreClostridium scindens
Clostridium scindens is a bacterium found in the human gut microbiome, known for its ability to convert primary bile acids into secondary bile acids, such as deoxycholic acid. This conversion can have significant effects on gut health and the ov
Learn moreEscherichia coli
Escherichia coli, commonly known as E. coli, is a diverse group of bacteria that typically live in the intestines of humans and animals. Most strains of E. coli are harmless and play an important role in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. However,
Learn moreThe estrobolome is a network of over 60 genera of bacteria that can recycle or deconjugate inactivated estrogens for reabsorption into circulation by producing very powerful enzymes. This recycling process is handled by gut bacteria with beta-glucuro
Learn moreEubacterium rectale
Eubacterium rectale is part of the Lachnospiraceae family and produces butyrate. Eubacterium rectale was found to be in lower abundance in patients with type 2 diabetes, colorectal cancer, and chronic idiopathic diarrhea. There is a negative correlat
Learn moreFaecalibacterium prausnitzii is a key indicator of gut health on a microbiome test panel. As a major butyrate-producing bacterium, it plays a critical role in maintaining the intestinal barrier, regulating the immune system, and exerting anti-inflamm
Learn moreIn adults, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes are the most abundant bacterial phyla in the gut. The Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B) abundance ratio was shown to increase from infancy to adulthood and subsequently to decrease again in the elderly. Elevate
Learn moreGABA production
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter, or chemical messenger, in the brain that blocks specific signals in the central nervous system in order to slow down the brain. This provides a protective and calming effect on the brain and body.
Learn moreGlutathione production
Glutathione is the most powerful antioxidant in the human body. It is found in nearly every cell in the body and is the primary agent of detoxification in the liver. Glutathione can also act as a hormone, regulating the release of GABA and dopamine.
Learn moreThe Gut Microbiome Index (GMI) is an overall score for gut microbiome health. A score above 30 is considered excellent. It is calculated by assessing four key indicators of your gut microbiome's health and comparing them to those of a typical hea
Learn moreHistamine production
Histamine can be produced in the gut and travel to distant areas of the body, where it may induce unfavorable symptoms. Patients with an overabundance of histamine-producing bacteria should focus on strengthening intestinal barrier function, as a lea
Learn moreSulfate-reducing bacteria convert dietary sulfur and taurine to H2S, a toxic compound that impairs intestinal detoxification pathways and can cause gas that smells like rotten eggs. H2S production is associated with high-protein, low-fiber diets. Sul
Learn moreIndole production
Indole is a byproduct of the microbial degradation of tryptophan that can be utilized in a variety of ways in the gut microbiome. Indole can bind to serotonin receptors in order to regulate behavior, gut motility, and food intake, and it can support
Learn moreLactate production
Lactate is an intermediate of carbohydrate metabolism, produced from pyruvate during lactic acid fermentation. Lactate also plays important roles in immunomodulation and inflammation modulation. These species use lactate as a substrate for SCFA produ
Learn moreLimosilactobacillus reuteri is a lactic acid bacterium that naturally resides in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and other animals. It is considered a probiotic due to its potential health benefits, particularly in gastrointestinal health.
Learn moreMethane Production
Methanogens convert acetate, ammonia, hydrogen gas, and trimethylamines (TMA) to methane gas. Methane gas also slows the intestinal transit and affects gut motility, which may also allow increased time for nutrient absorption. Furthermore, methane pr
Learn moreOxalobacter formigenes
Oxalobacter formigenes is a bacterium that colonizes the colon of a substantial proportion of the normal population and metabolizes dietary and endogenous oxalate and hence reducing the incidence of kidney stones.
Learn moreP-Cresol (Phenol)
Phenols, including phenol and p-cresol, are aromatic compounds that result from the microbial fermentation of aromatic amino acids, such as tryptophan and tyrosine. These compounds are cytotoxic and may cause damage to the gut, skin, vascular system,
Learn moreParabacteroides goldsteinii is a species of anaerobic bacteria commonly found in the human gastrointestinal tract. Known for its potential health benefits, it's considered a next-generation probiotic. This bacterium often shows up in results from
Learn moreParabacteroides merdae
Parabacteroides merdae is a prominent bacterium in the human gut microbiota, often assessed in gut health panels due to its significant role in maintaining digestive health and contributing to the gut’s metabolic activities. This anaerobic bact
Learn morePathogen Control Index
Low levels of pathogens can be normal and characteristic of a healthy, diverse gut microbiome. Increased levels of pathogens, however, could indicate that a pathogen is playing a role in symptoms you are experiencing. The Pathogen Control Index compa
Learn morePhocaeicola vulgatus
Generally considered a beneficial gut commensal, although is capable of attaching to and invading colonic epithelial cells and inducing pro-inflammatory cytokines. - Produces beta-glucuronidase, succinate, lactate, acetate, formate, and propionate
Learn morePolyamine production
Polyamines like putrescine, spermidine, and cadaverine are metabolites of arginine and tyrosine that have many important roles in the gut like stabilizing RNA and DNA structures, supporting protein synthesis, and scavenging free radicals. However, hi
Learn moreHigh Prevotella:Bacteroides ratios are associated with lower BMI and reduced incidence of chronic, inflammatory disease. Low Prevotella:Bacteroides ratios are associated with metabolic imbalances and are positively correlated with high intake of prot
Learn morePropionate production
Propionate is a SCFA that can be produced by gut bacteria through the fermentation of key fibers or the metabolism of lactate. Propionate supports a healthy immune system by encouraging regulatory T cell differentiation in gut associated lymphoid tis
Learn moreGram-negative Proteobacteria are a source of lipopolysaccharide associated with metabolic endotoxemia. Bifidobacterium species within Actinobacteria produce health-promoting metabolites like IL-10, SCFA, and GABA. Consuming a balanced diet with a wid
Learn moreThis section explores the presence and abundance of a panel of antibiotic resistance genes in the gut microbiome, and compares that to healthy population. The resistome is the sum of antimicrobial resistance genes in your gut. High number of resistan
Learn moreRoseburia intestinalis
Roseburia intestinalis is a bacterium commonly found in the human gut and is known for its role in producing butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that has beneficial effects on gut health. In a gastrointestinal (GI) test, the presence and levels o
Learn moreRuminococcus bromii
Ruminococcus bromii is a keystone species, playing a large role in the digestion of resistant starches. It has been proposed that the primary role played by R. bromii is to release energy from resistant starch to other members of the microbial commun
Learn moreSutterella wadsworthensis is a fascinating microbe that's part of the normal gut flora in many people. This gram-negative, non-spore-forming bacterium is known for its ability to thrive in bile-rich environments, which explains its presence in th
Learn moreVit B1 Thiamin
Thiamin is a vitamin that plays a critical role in energy metabolism, especially in the brain and nervous system. Thiamin also plays an important role in muscle contraction and nerve conduction. Faecalibacterium spp utilize thiamine but do not produc
Learn moreVit B12 Cobalamin
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is crucial for healthy red blood cells, brain and nervous system function, DNA regulation, and metabolism. Production of B12 by gut bacteria contribute up to 31% of the daily recommended intake for this nutrient.
Learn moreVit B2 Riboflavin
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is a cofactor needed for energy production and fat metabolism that also plays an important role in immune cell function.
Learn moreVit B5 Pantothenic acid
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) is essential for energy production and fat metabolism. Bacteroides fragilis, Prevotella copri, Ruminococcus spp, Salmonella enterica, and Helicobacter pylori can all produce vitamin B5 in the gut. However, there are many
Learn moreVit B6 Pyridoxine
Vitamin B6 is an incredibly versatile nutrient that supports immunity, brain function, and protein metabolism. It is also a necessary, rate limiting cofactor for neurotransmitter production, including dopamine, serotonin, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GAB
Learn moreVit B7 Biotin
Biotin (also known as Vitamin H, Vitamin B7, or Vitamin B8) is a water soluble vitamin necessary for growth, development, and cellular energy production that can support healthy hair, skin, and nails and support healthy immune responses. Biotin is sy
Learn moreVit B9 Folate
Vitamin B9 (folate or tetrahydrafolate), is essential for healthy blood cells. Gut-derived folate is directly absorbed into the colon, contributing up to 37% of the daily recommended intake. If vitamin B9 producers are low, there could be low levels
Learn moreVit K2 Menaquinone
Vitamin K2 is a fat-soluble vitamin necessary for calcium metabolism and critical for the health of teeth, bones, nerves, and the cardiovascular system. Most K2 comes from dietary sources, however, gut bacteria including Escherichia coli, Bacteroides
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