Our Gut Health Package Explained
What are the tests in the Gut Health Package?
Your gut microbiome plays a fundamental role in your overall health—impacting digestion, immune function, metabolism, and even mental well-being. Using a stool sample with an easy to collect method, The Epicentre Gut Health Package provides a comprehensive analysis of your gut microbiota, identifying beneficial, neutral, and harmful microbes that influence various health conditions.
Full package: R5950
The Epicentre Gut Health Package analyses 36 microbes, including beneficial, core, and harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses. These microbes play a role in digestion, immunity, inflammation, and overall health. Here’s a breakdown of the microbes included in the analysis:
1. Good (Beneficial) Microbes
These microbes support digestion, strengthen the gut barrier, and regulate immunity.
- Akkermansia muciniphila – Supports gut barrier and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Bifidobacterium bifidum – A key probiotic supporting digestion and immune health.
- Bifidobacterium breve – A probiotic aiding digestion and reducing inflammation.
- Bifidobacterium genus – Contains multiple probiotic strains beneficial for gut health.
- Bifidobacterium lactis – Supports gut flora balance and digestion.
- Bifidobacterium longum – Plays a role in reducing gut inflammation and strengthening immunity.
- Faecalibacterium prausnitzii – Produces butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that reduces inflammation.
- Lactobacillus acidophilus – A probiotic that supports gut balance and reduces harmful bacteria.
- Lactobacillus gasseri – Helps maintain gut microbial balance.
- Lactobacillus genus – Includes several probiotics that aid digestion and immunity.
- Lactobacillus helveticus – Known for its benefits to gut health and immune modulation.
- Lactobacillus paracasei – Supports immune health and gut balance.
- Lactobacillus plantarum – A robust probiotic aiding digestion and immunity.
- Lactobacillus reuteri – Helps balance gut microbiota and support oral and digestive health.
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus – A probiotic known for reducing digestive discomfort and boosting immunity.
- Roseburia hominis – Produces butyrate and supports gut health.
- Streptococcus thermophilus – A probiotic used in dairy fermentation, supporting digestion.
2. Core Microbes (Neutral, Context-Dependent)
These microbes are normally present in the gut but can become harmful in certain conditions.
- Bacteroides fragilis – Can be beneficial but may cause infections in dysbiosis.
- Escherichia coli – Includes both harmless and pathogenic strains.
- Prevotella genus – Its role varies based on diet; it can be beneficial or inflammatory.
- Bacteroides genus – Plays an essential role in digestion but can contribute to disease if imbalanced.
3. Harmful (Pathogenic) Microbes
These microbes can cause infections, inflammation, or gut imbalances.
- Candida albicans – A yeast that can cause infections when overgrown.
- Clostridium difficile – A bacterium linked to severe gut infections and colitis.
- Enterococcus faecalis – An opportunistic pathogen that can cause infections.
- Haemophilus influenzae – A respiratory pathogen that is rarely found in the gut.
- Klebsiella pneumoniae – Associated with gut dysbiosis and infections.
- Staphylococcus aureus – Can become pathogenic and cause infections.
- Streptococcus pneumoniae – A respiratory pathogen not typically part of the gut microbiome.
- Campylobacter spp. – A common cause of bacterial food poisoning and gastroenteritis.
- Clostridioides difficile – Can cause severe diarrhea and gut infections.
- Plesiomonas shigelloides – A pathogen linked to acute diarrhea.
- Salmonella spp. – Causes gastroenteritis and typhoid fever.
- Yersinia enterocolitica – Linked to foodborne infections and gut inflammation.
- Vibrio spp. – Includes V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. vulnificus, which can cause severe diarrheal disease.
- Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) – Causes diarrhea, especially in infants.
- Shiga-like E. coli (STEC) – Produces toxins leading to severe gastrointestinal illness and kidney damage (HUS).
- Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) – Can cause infections in your stomach or small intestine. It’s the most common cause of peptic ulcer disease.
Key Takeaways:
- The Gut Health Package assesses beneficial, neutral, and harmful microbes, helping you understand how they impact digestion, immunity, and disease risks.
- Pathogenic microbes are identified to assess risks for infections and inflammation-related diseases.
- The balance of these microbes is essential for optimal gut health, metabolism, and immune function.
This comprehensive gut analysis helps you take proactive steps in restoring balance, preventing disease, and optimising overall health through diet, probiotics, and lifestyle modifications.
Book with Epicentre
For over 20 years Epicentre has been studying wellness in South Africa. We are a company founded on a vision, ending disease in South Africa! So we believe in making an IMPACT.
We are an independent organization that is committed to creating a positive impact on health & wellness for all in South Africa. We want to close the gap between unscreened, undiagnosed, and uncontrolled HIV & COVID-19 infections as well as other chronic diseases for all South Africans.
By booking your tests with Epicentre, you are supporting a real local company that has worked for decades in all 9 provinces, from Pollsmoor prison to Constantia; & you’re getting a gold standard service that experts trust!
