TOTAL LACTOBACILLI

Optimal Result: 1.7 - 3000 x10^3 CFU/g.

Total Lactobacilli measured in x10^3 CFU/g (Colony Forming Units per gram) is a critical biomarker indicating the presence and abundance of beneficial Lactobacillus bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. These gram-positive bacteria are key contributors to the gut microbiome, supporting both digestive and overall health.

Clinicians use Total Lactobacilli levels to assess the state of beneficial bacteria in the gut ecosystem. Healthy levels are associated with improved digestive function and immune health, while low levels may signal an imbalance in the gut microbiome, also known as dysbiosis.

Benefits of Lactobacilli:

  • Produce lactic acid to maintain a healthy intestinal pH.
  • Compete with harmful bacteria for resources and attachment sites.
  • Strengthen the intestinal barrier.
  • Synthesize certain B vitamins.
  • Aid in the breakdown of lactose and other carbohydrates.
  • Modulate immune system function.

Low levels of Total Lactobacilli may result from:

  • Antibiotic use
  • Poor diet
  • Stress
  • Gastrointestinal conditions

Interpretation:

This biomarker is interpreted alongside other gut health indicators to provide a comprehensive view of gastrointestinal function. Clinicians can use this information to guide targeted therapeutic interventions, such as dietary changes, probiotic supplementation, or stress management strategies.

What does it mean if your TOTAL LACTOBACILLI result is too low?

Low levels of Total Lactobacilli typically indicate an imbalance in the gut microbiome, known as dysbiosis, where the proportion of beneficial bacteria is reduced. This imbalance can compromise digestive health and increase susceptibility to various conditions. Specific implications of low Lactobacilli levels include:

Potential Causes of Low Levels:

  1. Antibiotic Use: Broad-spectrum antibiotics can disrupt gut microbiota, reducing beneficial bacteria like Lactobacilli.
  2. Poor Diet: Diets low in fiber or high in processed foods and sugar can inhibit the growth of beneficial bacteria.
  3. Stress: Chronic stress can alter gut microbiota composition and reduce Lactobacilli levels.
  4. Gastrointestinal Conditions: Disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) may result in lower levels.
  5. Immunosuppression: Conditions or medications that weaken the immune system may indirectly reduce Lactobacilli.

Health Implications of Low Levels:

  • Digestive Issues: Reduced Lactobacilli can lead to problems like bloating, diarrhea, or constipation due to impaired fermentation and digestion.
  • Increased Pathogen Susceptibility: Low Lactobacilli may allow harmful bacteria or yeast (e.g., Candida) to thrive, increasing the risk of infections.
  • Weakened Immune Function: These bacteria play a role in modulating the immune system; their absence can lead to reduced defense against pathogens or increased inflammation.
  • Impaired Gut Barrier: Low Lactobacilli may compromise the integrity of the intestinal lining, potentially contributing to "leaky gut" syndrome.
  • Reduced Nutrient Synthesis: Lactobacilli are involved in the production of certain vitamins, such as B vitamins, and their absence can lead to deficiencies.

Recommendations for Low Levels:

If levels are low, interventions may include:

  • Probiotics: Supplementing with strains of Lactobacilli (e.g., L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, or L. plantarum).
  • Dietary Adjustments: Incorporating fermented foods (e.g., yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut) and prebiotic-rich foods (e.g., garlic, onions, bananas) to support Lactobacilli growth.
  • Lifestyle Changes: Managing stress and improving sleep can help restore microbiome balance.
  • Medical Evaluation: Investigating underlying causes, such as gastrointestinal infections or conditions, to address the root issue.

By addressing low Lactobacilli levels, individuals can restore a balanced gut microbiome, which is critical for digestive, immune, and overall health.

Frequently asked questions

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With a Healthmatters account, you can dive into the details of each biomarker and gain insights into the meaning behind your medical test data, anytime, anywhere.

For our professional users, Healthmatters provides intuitive tools that not only streamline analysis but also save valuable time when delving into your client's lab report history.

Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 4000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:

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You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.

If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.

While we work with many popular labs, we welcome reports from lots of other places too.

It's as simple as this: if you can get a test done, you can upload it to Healthmatters and we can interpret results from any lab out there. If laboratories can analyze it, we can interpret it.

If you’re on the hunt for a specific biomarker, contact us and we'll add it to our database. Anything from blood, urine, saliva, or stool can be uploaded, understood, and tracked with your Healthmatters account.

There are two ways to add your test reports to your Healthmatters account. One option is to input the data using the data entry forms. The other method is to utilize our "Data entry service."

Our data entry forms offer an easy, fast, and free way for you to input the reports yourself. Self-entry allows you to add an unlimited number of reports at no cost. We make the self-entry process user-friendly, providing dozens of templates that pre-populate the most popular laboratory panels and offering instant feedback on entered values.

For those who prefer assistance, we offer a "Data entry service" to help you input your data. Simply attach an image or file of your lab test results, and a qualified team member from our data entry team will add the results for you.

We support various file types, including PDFs, JPGs, or Excel. This service is particularly useful if you have many reports to upload or if you're too busy to handle the data entry yourself.

Our special data entry service makes it easy to add your results to your private dashboard. Just attach an image or a file of your lab test results, and our skilled data entry team will do the work for you. It's all done by humans, ensuring that your data is entered accurately and with personal care for each client.

Depending on your account, the data entry service can be included for free or come at an additional cost of $15 per report.

For users on the Complete monthly plan, the first report is entered free of charge, and each additional report incurs a fee of $15.

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Additionally, you can upgrade to the yearly Advanced plan from within your account. The annual cost is $79, and it comes with a data entry service for five reports.

You can always upgrade to a lifetime version with a prorated price from a monthly or yearly subscription.

Simply log in and navigate to your account settings to cancel your subscription. Scroll down to locate the 'Cancel' button at the bottom of the page. Ensure you cancel at least one day before the renewal date to prevent any charges. Once cancellation is requested, the subscription remains active until the conclusion of the current billing cycle.

Our goal has been to make your Healthmatters account as intuitive as possible.

We’ve crafted multiple ways for you to navigate your data, whether you're glancing at a single report or delving into your historical test reports.

1. Graph View:

Dive into a visual journey with our biomarker graphs, showcasing over 40 data points. Combining years of results unveils trends, empowering you to make informed decisions. Our visualization tools make it a breeze to compare and understand changes over time, even if your results are from different labs. A search function and filters simplify the exploration of extensive data, allowing you to focus on what needs attention.

2. All Tests View

Explore neatly organized reports on a timeline, highlighting crucial details like dates, critical results, and lab/panel names. Each report opens up to reveal in-depth descriptions and additional recommendations for each biomarker. The history of previous results is just a click away, and you can download a comprehensive report for deeper insights. Color-coded and user-friendly, it's designed for easy reading, understanding, and navigation.

3. Table View:

For a holistic view of all biomarkers side by side, our table view is your go-to. Results are neatly displayed in a categorized and dated table, ideal for those with an extensive test history. Utilize sorting, filters, and color-coding to enhance your analysis and gain extra insights.

Yes, you can download information from your account. We can compile your labs into a CSV file. To download all your labs, you can go to Account Settings, and at the bottom of the page, you will find a link to download your information.

Yes, you can print your report. To do so, navigate to "All tests" and open the report you wish to print. You'll find a print button in the right corner of the report. Click on it, and your browser's print window will open. If you prefer to print in a bigger typeface, adjust the scale using the print window settings.

Yes, you can! We highly recommend activating Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for your account. To do so, please navigate to the "Profile and Security" section of your account, where you will find instructions for activating 2FA.

Yes, you can. When entering values for the biomarker, you will see an "Edit Range" button. Click this button, and you'll have the option to enter a custom range.

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