Exploring your gut microbiome

With the advances in DNA testing, it is getting possible to explore the genetics of all aspects of humans. This includes your 'microbiome', microbes which live around surface arfeas of humans, and especially is present in the gut (the gut flora). Many experts believe the by-products and metabolism of the 'gut flora' should be regarded perhaps on the same level as endocrine glands on the effect they can have on humans, or at least be regarded as a 'powewerful metabolic force'. One simple example of this is the 'accepted' diagnosis trimethylaminuria, where most of the trimethylamine is regarded as being produced by the gut flora. Many people with 'metabolic malodors' report of having a broad spectrum of malodors that are 'facel' or 'flatulent' in nature, or various other malodors that are probably sulfides and amines. These too are probably produced by the gut flora.

Over the last year 2 genetic groups have come up with a way of collecting a big database of human microbiome samples and at the same time letting the person see their own result. The 2 companies both used 'indiegogo' to start with, probably to see if there was interest. Now they both have their own sites.

The groups are:
Ubiome
and
American Gut

Both are very new concepts (in business and in testing), so should be regarded as exploratory. It is not clear what the results will tell, and should be regarded as not being useful at this point (but hopefully are).

Most people who feel they have a metabolic malodor report of 'fecal' smells, so perhaps they might have a certain pattern (for instance being rich in sulfide and amine producing bacteria).

It's all speculation at this point, but it seems an opportunity for sufferers to by-pass the orthodox medical system and show their support for 'pioneers' in health research who may otherwise be blocked by politics, and also to perhaps get some useful info on their microbiome, perhaps even in hindsight.

For those who feel they have a metabolic malodor, the option to send a fecal sample would be the choice to make. Personally I chose Ubiome.

Other links on the subject :
ubiome twitter feed
ubiome original starting place on indiegogo
americangut.org twitter feed
americangut on indiegogo

By sysbodyodor

fecal body odor, gut dysbiosis

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