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Analysis and Health

What do home faecal test kits really reveal about our gut microbiome?

Many firms sell direct-to-consumer faecal testing kits, but an investigation has revealed that scientists don't yet know what makes for a healthy gut microbiome

By Clare Wilson

14 March 2024

Faeces reveals the bacteria in our gut, but we don’t yet know which are optimal

STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/Science Photo Library/Alamy

The science of our gut microbiome is often painted as one of the hottest new areas of medicine, but there have also been claims that the research is being overhyped. The latest aspect of this field to come under the spotlight is testing kits that let you send away a stool sample to learn if your gut bacteria could be affecting your health.

An analysis has now found that these kits make claims that aren’t supported…

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