Gut Flora & Biome Analysis

For the Gut Flora & Biome Test we analyse:

Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a minority member of the gut microbiome, but a very important one. E. coli bacteria normally live in the intestines of healthy people and stimulates the intestinal immune system. It aids digestion and protects us from other harmful microbes. E. coli ferments to produce folic acid, vitamin K2 (this protects against osteoporosis) and Co-enzyme Q10 (essential for mitochondrial function). If there are low counts of E-coli, one can expect problems like osteoporosis and bone problems, mitochondrial function, low mood and poor gut motility. Increased E. coli indicates putrefaction in the intestine and may burden the body with metabolic toxins. Potential causes may be reduced immunity of the intestinal mucosa, low counts of bifidobacteria or excess supply of protein.

Proteus

Proteus species are most commonly found  as part of normal human intestinal flora, along with Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species. Proteus is also found in multiple environmental habitats, including long-term care facilities and hospitals. As a particularly active proteolytic germ, proteus can burden the body considerably through its metabolic toxins. 

Citerobacter

Citrobacter is a rod belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family. It is considered an opportunistic pathogen and therefore can be found in the gut as part of the normal flora. Citrobacter are also commonly found in water, soil and food and may be spread by person-to person contact.

Klebsiella

Klebsiella is a bacterium, which belongs to the Enterobacteriaceae family. Klebsiella can be found in the gastrointestinal tract of humans. Klebsiella overgrowth is commonly asymtomatic. Some strains of Klebsiella may cause diarrhea and some are enterotoxigenic. A low-starch diet may be helpful if high levels of Klebsiella are present.

Other enterobacteriaceae 

Increased enterobacteriaceae indicate disturbances of the intestinal flora, malnutrition or digestive insufficiencies. A larger amount of these bacteria does not belong in the normal intestinal flora. Their multiplication often results from past antibioses. 

Enterococci

Decreased Enterococci in the stool indicates disturbances in balance of the intestinal flora. Enterococci produce short-chain fatty acids during the carbohydrate utilisation, which contributes to the acidification and stabilisation of the intestinal environment. As an important contribution to the intestinal milieu, they produce bacteriostatic substances. 

Pseudomonas

Pseudomonas can be found in water and soil as well as fruits ans vegetables. A common source of infection is bottled water, but increased Pseudonomas may also be due to an earlier antibiotic therapy.

Bacteroides 

Bacteroides is the most abundant bacteria in the microflora, which allows us to digest soluble fibre and make short chain fatty acids. Decreased bacteroides indicate a lowered resistence to pathogenic species (such as salmonella, shigella and clostridia). 

Bifidobacteria

Bifidobacteria make up a significant portion of the human gut flora. Along with Lactobacillia and Enterococci, Bifidobacteria control potentially pathogenic organisms and stimulate the intestinal immune system (GALT). Bifidobacteria metabolize carbohydrates only. By doing so, they produce short chain fatty acids, which adidify the intestine and couteract pathogenic organisms. Decreased Bifidobacteria indicate deficiencies in colonisation resistance, putrefaction in the intestine and can promote constipation.

Lactobacilli

Lactobacilli is a lactic acid forming bacteria, which produces large amounts of short chain fatty acids (SCFA). SCFAs lower the intestinal pH and thereby make the evironment alkaline and unsuitable for microbial pathogens (e.g. yeast).
In addition, Lactobacilli secrete antifungal and antimicrobial agents. Decreased Lactobacilli indicate disturbances of the intestinal flora.

Clostridia

Clostridia are prevalent flora in a healthy intestine. As clostirida produce gases it may cause flatulence. Increased Clostridia indicates putrefaction in the intestine and may burden the body with metabolic toxins. Increased clostridia are often found in older people due to changes in their nutrition. Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens are one cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

pH-Value

Fecal pH is influenced by numerous factors, but is largely dependet on the fermentation of fiber by the beneficial flora of the gut. With a balanced diet the fecal pH should lie between 6,2 and 6,8. Acid fecal pH indicates disorders of intestinal ecology. An alkaline fecal pH indicated an imbalanced intestine flora. It is possible that proteolytic putrefactive germs are predominant, which raise the fecal pH through alkaline metabolites (e.g. due to a high-protein diet).

Candida albicans

The genus Candida is comprised of approximately 200 different species. Candida albicans is the most common strain of them. It is a normal part of the gut flora and most people have some level of Candida albicans in their intestines. But a combination of factors can lead to an overgrowth, which then leads to several undesirable symptoms including fatigue, weight gain, joint pain, and gas. 

Candida spec.

Increased candida species indicates deficiancies in colonisation resitance, disturbances of the intestinal flora and or a defect mucosa. Candida species may burden the body with toxic metabolites. Some patients respont to even low rates of yeast overgrowth.

Geotrichum candidum

Geotrichum candidum belongs to the Endomyceteaceae family. This organism can be found in soil, dairy products and in human skin and mucosae. Symptoms of Geotrichum infection have been associated with diarrhea and enteritis. 

Yeast

An infection with yeasts can have many reasons. Possible causes are things like corticosteroid therapy, stress, diabetes, malnutrition or birth control pills. All of them weaken the immune system and a weakened immune system cannot control yeast or help you get rid of it. Antibiotics are also a common cause of yeast infection because they destroy the good bacteria that keep it under control.

• - Chronic diseases 

• - Increased susceptibility for infection 

• - Diarrhea

• - Flatulence

• - Nausea

• - Stomach pain

• - Overweight

• - Vitamine deficiency 

• - Migraine

• - Fungal diseases

• - Dermatosis

• - Sleeping disorders

General

Please note the following guidelines regarding the stool collection - the correct collection of the stool is important for achieving analtered laboratory results! Please make sure to collect the samples on Mondays and post them the same day. 

Mouth swab

In addition to the intestinal flora analysis for analysing yeasts and moulds, we are also willing to examine your mouth swab free of charge. Please send the allocated tube together with the stool sample. Separate deliveries will not be taken into consideration.

The mouth should not be treated with an antifungal or antibacterial solution before the mouth swab. Remove the cap at the upper end of the tube along the dashed line. Move the cotton end of the stick around on your tongue a couple of times and insert it into the tube.

Before the sample collection 

1. Label the sample container with your full name, the date as well as the time of the sample collection.

2. No additional sealing or stapling of the sample tubes and delivery bag is necessary.

During the sample collection 

1. Please use the enclosed stool collection unit to avoid the stool coming in contact with toilet water or urine.

    Now collect the sample using the stool collection unit.

2. Take the enclosed collection spoon (attached underneath the lid) in order to stir the stool. Collect different samples from different areas of the stool.

3. Fill the container with the stool sample until the tube is ¾ full.

4. Close the sample container tightly with the lid and clean the outside surface if necessary

After the sample collection 

1. After the collection, the stool collection unit as well as the remaining stool can be flushed down the toilet. 

2. The sample can be placed in the refrigerator over night – please do not freeze!

3. Please collect the sample on Monday and post it the same day to ensure a short delivery time.

4. Place the sample together with the enclosed sample dispatch note in the delivered protective bag and send it back to our laboratory.

    In accordance with the general postal regulations the sender bears the legal responsibility.

5. After approximately 14-21 days you will receive your results.

Download report here (opens in new window)

Questions about the order

• Which test should I order?
• Can I also order by phone?
• How long does it take for my order to arrive?
• I have not received an order confirmation.
• My package did not arrive or my order was not completely delivered.
• I want to cancel my order.

Questions about sample submission & findings

• How long will it take to receive my findings?
• How do I get my findings?
• Can I get advice for my test result? Can you tell me what remedy to take?
• I forgot to put the sample dispatch note in the package when sending the sample back.
• I take medication. Can this affect the outcome?

Questions about the stool test

• How long can you store or use stool samples?
• I take probiotika. Does this affect the outcome?

• Does the gluten/histamine intolerance test also show a reaction when I am on a gluten/histamine-free diet?

Which test should I order?

To find the right test for you, click through our additional product information covered in the categories <Details>, <Symptoms> and <Test includes>. You can also call us at +44 (0) 20 32866316 or write an email to contact@verisana.co.uk.

Can I also order by phone?

Yes. Please call us at +44 (0) 20 32866316. The payment in this case is only possible via Paypal. We take your order and you will receive the payment request by mail.

How long does it take for my order to arrive?

We process orders on a daily basis (apart from weekends and public holidays). It usually takes around 3-5 days until your testkit arrives.

I have not received an order confirmation.

Please contact us to check if your order was registered. We will gladly send you the confirmation again.

My package did not arrive or my order was not completely delivered.

Please contact our customer service team at +44 (0) 20 32866316 or write an email to contact@verisana.co.uk.

I want to cancel my order. 

The withdrawal period from the purchase of all our items is 2 weeks from the receipt of the goods. Please inform us via mail about the desired cancellation and note the following information:  Laboratory analyzes can only be canceled if the analysis has not yet been carried out. 

How long will it take to receive my findings?

From the day the sample arrives in our laboratory, it takes:

- saliva tests 2 weeks 
- stool tests 2-3 weeks

until the findings are completed.

If you have not received your report after this deadline, please contact us. Please understand that we can not speed up the processing of your sample.

How do I get my findings?

You will receive your findings via mail.

Can I get advice for my test result? Can you tell me what remedy to take?

For legal reasons, our findings do not include individualized therapy recommendations. 

If you have any questions regarding the understanding of your findings, please contact our laboratory team.

I forgot to put the sample dispatch note in the package when sending the sample back.

Please send us the completed and signed dispatch note, preferably by mail to contact@verisana.co.uk. Unfortunately, we can not complete your sample without a dispatch note.

I take medication. Can this affect the outcome?

That depends on the test you want to carry out and the medications you are taking. In case of doubt, please ask your doctor regarding the areas that are influenced by the medication prescribed by him and do not stop taking your medication without consulting him.

How long can you store or use stool samples?

Basically, it is recommended to send the samples as soon as possible after collection and keep them in the refrigerator until they are shipped (do not freeze). On the way, the samples will last up to 7 days without any problems, when it is not too hot outside.

I take probiotika. Does this affect the outcome?

Taking probiotika means supplying bacteria to your body. In conclusion, carrying out a stool test while taking probiotika will make it unpossible to distinguish the amount of natural and unnatural bacteria in your gut. If you aim to find out about the amount of natural bacteria in your gut, we recommend you to stop taking probiotika two weeks before carrying out the stool test. 

Does the gluten/histamine intolerance test also show a reaction when I am on a gluten/histamine-free diet?

No, you should consume food that contains gluten or histamine during the days before taking the sample to get a meaningful result.

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