How to navigate the many direct-to-consumer microbiota analyses and why to use them

Abstract

Gut microbiota analysis, until a few years ago an exclusive research tool, has recently begun to spread among doctors and nutritionists around the world as a means aimed at better understanding patient disorders. As often happens, the commercial push has literally exploded and today there are numerous companies that offer microbiota analysis of dubious quality and/or as a business appliance aimed at selling supplements and the like. For non-experts it can therefore be difficult to find one's way among the numerous proposals. In this article we try not only to list those characteristics that could perhaps help choose one test rather than another, but we also try to discuss what the purpose of a microbiota analysis should be and what meaning to give to the concepts of dysbiosis and eubiosis. A small clinical experience is also cited to support the hypotheses made.