Question 357 of 433
Should I buy a microbiome test or take a probiotic?
The short answer
Skip the test. Use probiotics only for specific problems.
Stool tests produce impressive reports, but there is no agreed definition of a “healthy” microbiome and results from the same sample can differ between companies. Probiotic capsules have evidence for a few conditions, such as diarrhea caused by antibiotics. For general health, food works better and costs less.
“This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship.” From the book’s medical disclaimer. Full disclaimer
CONDITION-SPECIFIC HUMAN TRIALS for selected probiotics; insufficient utility for routine commercial wellness stool profiling.Evidence grade (draft mapping)Grade pendingPart 24, Q357 · Part sources
From Longevity Unmasked by Afshine Ash Emrani, MD, FACC. Medical disclaimer. This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship. Nothing here is meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Medicine is personal: a test, drug, supplement, or exercise plan that helps one person can harm another. Do not start, stop, or change any medication or treatment because of something you read in these pages. Talk with a licensed clinician who knows your history first. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911. The author disclaims responsibility for any loss or harm arising from use of the information in this book.