Trying An At-Home Microbiome Test? This Might Make You C.Diff-erently.

On this week's episode of the pod, we tackle the very complex (and oft misunderstood) microbiome, specifically, the gut microbiome.

We highlight recent buzz surrounding the microbiome and claims circulating on social media. We discuss what the microbiome actually is, the diversity of the gut microbiome, some data on implications of disruptions to it, and the countless factors that influence it. We recap probiotics (briefly) and supplements that people take to "optimize" their microbiome. We discuss some recent studies-- including one on artificial sweeteners and how they "change" our microbiome—and how they are being misinterpreted. We end with a discussion on at-home microbiome tests which tout their ability to help us hack our health. (Spoiler alert: they are not diagnostic and are a waste of your money.) You definitely don't want to miss this!

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PLEASE NOTE: The discussion and information provided in this podcast are for general educational, scientific, and informational purposes only and are not intended as, and should not be treated as, medical or other professional advice for any particular individual or individuals. Every person and medical issue is different, and diagnosis and treatment requires consideration of specific facts often unique to the individual. As such, the information contained in this podcast should not be used as a substitute for consultation with and/or treatment by a doctor or other medical professional. If you are experiencing any medical issue or have any medical concern, you should consult with a doctor or other medical professional.

Further, due to the inherent limitations of a podcast such as this as well as ongoing scientific developments, we do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information or analysis provided in this podcast, although, of course we always endeavor to provide comprehensive information and analysis. In no event may Unbiased Science or any of the participants in this podcast be held liable to the listener or anyone else for any decision allegedly made or action allegedly taken or not taken allegedly in reliance on the discussion or information in this podcast or for any damages allegedly resulting from such reliance.

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Resources

• What is the Healthy Gut Microbiota Composition? A Changing Ecosystem across Age, Environment, Diet, and Diseases

• Your Gut Microbes Are Thousands of Generations Old — New Study

• Gut Bacteria: The Inside Story

• Species-Level Analysis of Human Gut Microbiota With Metataxonomics

• Role of the Normal Gut Microbiota

• The Need for Personalized Approaches to Microbiome Modulation

• What the Latest Research Says about Probiotics

• The Diet-Cancer Connection

• Some of My Best Friends Are Germs

• Dietary Sugar Silences a Colonization Factor in a Mammalian Gut Symbiont

• Personalized Microbiome-Driven Effects of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners on Human Glucose Tolerance

• Artificial Sweeteners Negatively Regulate Pathogenic Characteristics of Two Model Gut Bacteria, E. coli and E. faecalis

• Effects of Sweeteners on the Gut Microbiota: A Review of Experimental Studies and Clinical Trials