Gut Microbiome: Let’s Get to the Guts of It.
If you’ve been hearing more about the gut microbiome lately, there’s a good reason. It’s not just a trend; it’s one of the most powerful, complex systems in your body. In fact, your microbiome may be quietly influencing everything from your energy and digestion to your mood, immune system, skin, and even how your body stores fat.
Supporting the gut microbiome is at the very heart of what I do. And when it comes to getting real answers, I prefer shotgun metagenomic testing, the gold standard screening method, to take a deep look at what’s happening inside.
Let’s take a walk through what your microbiome is, why it’s so personal, and how understanding it can transform your health.
What Exactly Is the Gut Microbiome?
Your gut microbiome is the community of trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes that live mostly in your large intestine. While that might sound a bit unsettling, these organisms aren’t just taking up space; they’re doing essential jobs 24/7.
Think of your gut like a garden. When the soil (your gut lining) is healthy and the right mix of plants (microbes) is growing, everything flourishes. However, if weeds overtake the garden or the soil is damaged, the entire system struggles.
The same is true inside your digestive tract. A healthy gut microbiome helps with:
• Digesting food and absorbing nutrients
• Supporting your immune system
• Regulating inflammation
• Producing important vitamins like B12 and K
• Supporting mood and brain function
• Managing appetite, metabolism, and weight
And just like a fingerprint, your microbiome is completely unique to you.
Why Is the Microbiome So Important?
The balance of microbes in your gut can influence everything from how you feel when you wake up to how you respond to certain foods to how resilient you are when facing stress or illness.
When the microbiome is out of balance, what we call dysbiosis, it can quietly contribute to a long list of symptoms, including:
• Bloating, gas, or irregular bowel movements
• Fatigue that feels like you’re “running on empty”
• Skin issues like acne, eczema, or rosacea
• Mood shifts, brain fog, or anxiety
• Immune issues like frequent colds or allergies
• Trouble losing weight or intense cravings
It’s like your body’s internal ecosystem is out of tune, and the effects ripple through every system.
Why One-Size-Fits-All Approaches Don’t Work
Your gut is as unique as your fingerprint. That means what works for one person’s microbiome might do very little for someone else or even make things worse.
Many people visit the clinic after trying generic gut health programs or over-the-counter probiotics that were not suited to their needs. Some feel no better, others feel worse — bloated, tired, or more inflamed than before. And it’s not their fault. The gut is complex. Without proper testing and guidance, even well-intentioned protocols can further disrupt your balance.
This is why I don’t recommend guessing or following a supplement trend you saw online.
Instead, I use shotgun metagenomic sequencing, the most comprehensive microbiome testing available, to identify:
• Which bacteria (helpful, neutral, or unhelpful) are present
• What those microbes are doing (gene activity and metabolic function)
• Whether there’s inflammation, overgrowth, or missing diversity
• How your microbiome may be affecting your weight, digestion, energy, and immunity
It’s like getting a full blueprint of your inner ecosystem, not just who’s there, but what they’re doing.
What Makes Shotgun Metagenomic Testing Different?
Unlike older stool tests that only detect a small group of bacteria (or just fragments of DNA), shotgun metagenomics offers a deep, functional view of your microbiome.
If your gut were a city, this test doesn’t just tell us which residents are there, it tells us what jobs they’re doing, whether they’re helping or polluting, and how well the city is running overall.
With this information, we can design a truly personalised program to restore balance, support your symptoms, and protect your long-term health.
Individual and Targeted Gut Care - Changes Everything
In my clinical practice, some of the most significant shifts in health often begin with the gut. Many clients arrive after months, sometimes years, of unresolved symptoms like bloating, fatigue, anxiety, or skin flare-ups. Frequently, they've tried “gut protocols” or off-the-shelf supplements that promised results but didn’t deliver and, in some cases, made things much worse.
Once we identify the specific imbalances in their microbiome and provide targeted support based on their test results, medical history, and individual needs, the shift can be remarkable.
I regularly see improvements in:
• Digestive comfort and regularity
• Mental clarity and emotional stability
• Energy levels and resilience
• Skin health and immune function
• Food tolerance and reduced cravings
Gut health is never a one-size-fits-all fix, but when we support it in the right way, it can be the foundation for lasting transformation.
Is It Time to Check Your Gut?
If you’ve been dealing with stubborn symptoms, struggling to feel at ease in your body, or want to understand your health better, your microbiome may be the missing piece.
You don’t need to guess. You can test.
You can test your unique blueprint and have a protocol path created just for you.
In my clinic, microbiome testing and gut support are available through:
• Initial consultations with a practitioner referral for gut screening
• Tailored Gut Health Programs & Education E-Books
• Annual Gut Health Reviews for existing clients
Let’s Get to the Guts of Your Health
Whether you're starting fresh or continuing your wellness journey, understanding your microbiome is one of the most powerful steps you can take.
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Written by Kylie Cloney BHSc Complementary Medicine. Adv. Dip Nutr. Medicine.
Wellness for Life – Your Plan, Grounded in Science, Guided by Nature.
Disclaimer:
This post is for general education only and is not medical advice. Please consult your healthcare professional. See our Medical Disclaimer.