Everyone’s microbiome is as unique as their fingerprint and comprises dozens of different types of bacteria. Microorganisms that inhabit our digestive system play essential roles in our health as
they can influence ageing, digestion, the immune system and cognitive functions. By analyzing the constituents of our microbiome, companies can offer personalized dietary recommendations to live healthier lives. Atlas Biomed offers DTC microbiome kits that function similarly to DTC genetic testing ones: the customer orders a kit to collect a faecal sample sent to the company for analysis. The London-based company, established in 2016, uses Illumina technology for molecular analysis. Regarding the microbiome, it looks at the types of bacteria present and their proportion in the overall microbiome. Experts promise to provide information about the various functions of a patient’s gut bacteria and what vitamins they synthesize. The patient gets weekly recommendations to improve and maintain the balance of their microbiome by adding specific foods to their diet. According to their microbiome analysis, Atlas Biomed offers a weekly list of recommended food items that are beneficial for each customer.
The Atlas Biomed categorizes microbiomes into three types, corresponding with different nutrition styles: the Western gourmand, the grain lover and the veggie muncher. Considering the results, the doctor can suggest dietary changes. The microbiome testing sampling process has a similar procedure, just as genetic testing does. It involves a small faecal sample and a container to send back to the company for analysis. The company also analyses the level of probiotics in the gut microbiome, the level of beneficial bacteria, microbiome diversity, fibre intake, and butyrate level. The body produces an inflammatory reaction if butyrate levels are too low due to inadequate fibre intake.
The report is available via the transparent and user-friendly online dashboard. The user can choose between reasonably understandable menu items: insights, health, nutrition, sports, personal traits and ancestry. In Insights, Atlas Biomed summarizes everything users need to know and do to keep themselves healthy. The user receives a list of food items he should consume every week based on the results.
