Gut Microbiome DNA Test Program at KMB Hospital with Dr. Looknuu
Gut Microbiome DNA Test: Good health starts with healthy intestines
Every day when we eat, our intestines work very hard, digesting food, absorbing nutrients, and also serving as a home to millions of “microorganisms.” These microorganisms include both good and not-so-good types. If we take good care of them, our body stays strong, we are less prone to stomach aches, our digestive system improves, and they also help support immunity, reduce allergies, and even help control weight. But if we eat poorly, stay up late, get stressed often, don’t drink enough water, or overuse antibiotics, the gut microorganisms become imbalanced. This can lead to problems such as frequent constipation, easy bloating, dull skin, easily flaring allergies, or weight issues.
Many people probably wonder, so what are microorganisms?
In fact, inside our body, especially in the intestines, live tiny organisms called “microorganisms.” They cannot be seen with the naked eye, but there are a great many of them—trillions, in fact. These microorganisms help digest food, take care of the digestive system, protect the intestines from pathogens, and help the body absorb nutrients better.
So how can we know how healthy our intestines are right now?
At our KMB Hospital, we offer the Gut Microbiome DNA Test, which examines the DNA of the microorganisms in the intestines to see what our “microbiome balance” is like—whether we currently have too many good or bad microorganisms. The results will clearly tell us how we should take care of ourselves, what we should eat more or less of, so that our body becomes strong again from within. What many people are impressed by after the test is that it feels like getting to know themselves better, because sometimes we simply feel unwell, tired and drowsy all the time, or have poor digestion, and think it is normal, when in fact the gut microorganisms are sending us warning signals.
How many types of microorganisms are there?
Mainly, they can be simply divided into 2 types.
- Good microorganisms (the helpers) keep our body strong and the intestines working well.
- Bad microorganisms (the troublemakers)—if there are too many of them, the digestive system suffers, immunity declines, and we become more at risk of various diseases. The key is “balance.” Our body should have more good microorganisms than bad ones for good health.
Who should get their microorganisms tested?
- People with chronic constipation, frequent diarrhea, or easy bloating
- People who gain weight easily and find it hard to lose weight
- People with frequent allergy problems who catch colds easily
- People with dull skin or chronic acne
- People who get stressed easily, cannot sleep, and feel tired all the time
- People who have frequently used antibiotics
- People who want preventive health care
Why do we need to test microorganisms?
Many people may think that just eating good food is enough to take care of the intestines, but in reality each person’s body is different. The test lets us know how good the balance in our intestines is, which microorganisms are too abundant and which are too few, and how we should adjust our diet and self-care to address the issue precisely.
What do you get from the Gut Microbiome DNA Test?
- Know the balance of microorganisms in your intestines
- Know the eating habits that suit your own body
- Help adjust your diet and lifestyle for the better
- Reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and allergies
- Brighter skin, better digestion, and feeling more refreshed
This test is very easy. You only need to collect a stool sample—no blood draw, no pain at all. Send the sample for testing at our laboratory and wait just a few days for the results. Our medical team and dietitians will then help recommend care guidelines suited to each individual.
Popular questions from people who want to lose weight
Q: So what do microorganisms have to do with probiotics?
A: The word probiotics, which many people have heard of in yogurt drinks and yogurt, actually refers to “good microorganisms.” Probiotics help replenish good microorganisms in our intestines, but how effective they are depends on the condition of each person’s intestines and microbiome balance. Because for some people whose intestines are severely imbalanced, taking probiotics may still not be enough—they need to adjust their diet and lifestyle at the same time. Good health can start today. When the intestines are healthy, the body follows. If anyone is interested, you can come and ask us any day, or call to ask our staff. We are happy to give advice.
Q: Why do we need to test stool to find microorganisms?
A:
1. Many pathogens or microorganisms live in the intestines—when a person gets a gastrointestinal infection such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, or protozoa, they accumulate and are excreted in the stool. Therefore, a stool sample reflects what pathogens are in the intestines.
2. Convenient, safe, and painless—using only a small stool sample, we can culture, examine under a microscope, or use PCR techniques to find the DNA of the pathogen right away.
3. Helps identify the cause of abnormal symptoms—such as chronic diarrhea, bloody mucus stools, persistent abdominal pain, etc. A stool test helps distinguish which type of pathogen it is, so the right medication can be chosen.
4. Monitors the health of the gut microbiome—in some cases it is a health check to also look at the balance of good/bad microorganisms in the intestines.
Why choose the Gut Microbiome DNA Test program at KMB Hospital with Dr. Looknuu
A stool test is an important step that should not be overlooked, because it helps doctors accurately identify pathogens in the intestines, understand the cause of abnormal symptoms, and plan treatment precisely. It is also an easy, safe, and cost-effective method. If you have abnormal symptoms in the digestive system, or want to check the health of the microorganisms in your intestines to take care of your health balance, a stool test is a suitable option.
