The myBioma microbiome analysis expert team enlightens you!
We not only drink kombucha with passion, but are also interested in topics surrounding the gut, nutrition, and the microbiome. Therefore, it was a natural next step to get in touch with the experts at myBioma and test their microbiome analysis. Above all, we wanted to understand what information such an analysis provides and how the results can be interpreted. More on this after the interview!
Who is behind myBioma and how did you come up with the idea of developing a microbiome analysis?
myBioma was founded in 2018 by Dr. Barbara Sladek and Dr. med. univ. Nikolaus Gasche. Our founding team has a relevant background in molecular biology and medicine. Barbara Sladek holds a doctorate in biochemistry (Oxford, UK) and is a certified molecular biologist (University of Vienna). Nikolaus Gasche is a medical doctor and serial entrepreneur.
The first conversations about the importance of the gut microbiome led Barbara and Nikolaus far from Vienna – to Ghana. Barbara was there as a traveler, Nikolaus as a medical student. Three years and many conversations later, they carried out their plan and founded the biotech start-up myBioma with a focus on next-generation sequencing, a scientific and IT-based method for analyzing genetic material.
The goal is to bring the importance of the gut microbiome to the forefront and raise greater awareness of gut microbiome analysis.
What is meant by the term microbiome?
The microbiome refers to the totality of microorganisms and their genetic material in a specific habitat. Numerous microorganisms live in and on the human body. These include mainly bacteria, but also fungi, viruses, and archaea. The exact composition varies from person to person and can change over the course of life.
The gut microbiome is connected to numerous processes in the human body and is the subject of intensive research. Among other things, connections with digestion, metabolism, and the so-called gut-brain axis are being investigated. However, such connections do not mean that individual complaints or illnesses can be generally attributed to the microbiome.
The myBioma founding team: Dr. med. univ. Nikolaus Gasche and Dr. Barbara Sladek
What distinguishes myBioma from a conventional stool sample at the doctor's?
What is often asked is why an analysis at the family doctor is cheaper and significantly faster. This may be due to the fact that different tests answer different questions. In classic stool examinations, for example, certain pathogens or other medically relevant parameters can be specifically investigated. A stool culture and a microbiome analysis using next-generation sequencing pursue different goals and are not easily directly comparable.
In a microbiome analysis using next-generation sequencing, genetic material from the sample is analyzed. Depending on the method, numerous microbial groups can be identified. Which microorganisms can be reliably detected and how detailed the results will be depends, among other things, on the method used and the evaluation.
The results can be prepared in an individual microbiome report and supplemented with dietary and lifestyle tips. myBioma also offers an app through which the results and associated information can be accessed. What is important: A microbiome analysis does not replace a medically necessary stool examination and does not constitute a diagnosis in itself.
How exactly does the myBioma microbiome analysis work?
We have tried to make the process as simple as possible. The kit can be ordered online on the myBioma homepage: www.mybioma.com. The stool sample can be taken at home and sent back to the provider with the provided return envelope. Instructions for the procedure and stool collection are included in the kit.
After that, the sample must be activated on the homepage or in the app. According to the provider, customers receive status updates on the processing status. Upon receipt, the sample is passed on to the responsible laboratory. There, the sample material is examined with the intended analysis procedure. The time until the result can vary; the processing time of up to six weeks mentioned in the original interview should be checked before publication against the current provider information.
Subsequently, the collected data are bioinformatically evaluated and prepared in an individual report. This contains information on the determined composition of the microbiome as well as tips for interpreting the results. Here you can also take a look at the sample report from myBioma.
What tips do you give your testers for an unbalanced microbiome?
First of all: We recommend neither probiotics, medications, nor other miracle pills. Diet and lifestyle can influence the gut microbiome. Generally speaking, a healthy lifestyle is an important component of well-being. At myBioma, we summarize five pillars of a healthy gut microbiome: First and foremost is nutrition. Here, not only the quality of our food counts, but also how we eat. Eating quickly can, for example, lead to digestive discomfort – which brings us to the second point: Persistent stress can affect numerous processes in the body and is also associated with changes in the gut microbiome.
Another important aspect is regular exercise, which can have a positive effect on overall health. Adequate sleep is also part of a balanced lifestyle. The way we handle alcohol, nicotine, and medications is also important. However, medications should not be discontinued or changed on their own. According to the provider, users receive dietary suggestions tailored to their results in the microbiome report. How sensible these tips are in an individual case depends on the respective situation.
Omega-3 fatty acids are an important component of a balanced diet. The fatty acids EPA and DHA fulfill various functions in the body. Good sources for EPA and DHA are especially fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, and sardines. Plant-based foods such as flaxseed, walnuts, and certain seeds provide mainly alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), another omega-3 fatty acid. What connections exist between individual fatty acids, the gut microbiome, and the gut-brain axis is still being researched.
What diet can support the microbiome?
A diverse and varied diet with plenty of vegetables and fruit is a good foundation for a balanced diet. Whole grain products, legumes, nuts, and seeds can also contribute to the intake of fiber. It is also important to regularly integrate prebiotic foods into the menu. Depending on the product, probiotic foods can also be a supplement, but are not automatically necessary for everyone.
Prebiotics are substances that are used by certain microorganisms in the body and can therefore have health benefits. Known sources of prebiotic fiber include, for example, onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, legumes, chicory, and certain bananas. Other plant-based foods such as apples, flaxseed, and cabbage also provide fiber, whose properties vary depending on the food.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that are attributed a health benefit with sufficient intake and under certain conditions. Whether a product can be classified as a probiotic depends, among other things, on the specific microorganism examined, the strain, the amount taken, and the scientific evidence.
What do you think about fermented foods like kombucha – and what role do they play in connection with nutrition and the gut microbiome?
Fermented foods like kombucha can contain different microorganisms and fermentation products depending on how they are made. Which microorganisms are actually present and what importance they have depends on the specific food, the strains contained, and the respective study findings. Research is looking into, among other things, possible connections between the gut microbiome, metabolism, and the gut-brain axis. However, no blanket effect of a fermented food on stress, emotions, or insulin levels can be derived from this.
Would you also recommend a microbiome analysis for mental health problems to rule out a possible imbalance in the gut?
The gut and brain are connected through various neural, hormonal, and immunological signaling pathways. This so-called gut-brain axis is the subject of intensive research. What importance changes in the microbiome have for mental illnesses is complex and cannot be derived from a microbiome analysis alone. Such an analysis can neither diagnose nor rule out mental illnesses. Therefore, a medical or psychotherapeutic professional should be consulted for mental health complaints.
We have also dedicated ourselves to this topic in our report, so that with myBioma you can also learn more about your own gut-brain axis and the current state of research.
My experiences with the myBioma microbiome analysis!
I actually had the pleasure of testing the myBioma microbiome analysis myself. The test in combination with the clearly structured app was really interesting. Because questions about various eating habits, complaints, and other factors are asked beforehand.
After I had sent the sample, I waited excitedly for my result and was regularly informed about the current status of the sample.
My personal microbiome report turned out very positive overall. According to the report, the evaluations of microbial composition, nutrition, and nutrient utilization were pleasing. In addition, the composition of the detected bacteria was listed in detail. My species richness and the indicated values for certain bacterial groups also turned out above average.
A personal microbiome report can provide interesting insights into the composition of a stool sample. However, which factors contributed to a certain result cannot be reliably determined from a single analysis. In particular, a result cannot easily be attributed to a single food such as kombucha. The app provides additional information and dietary tips for interpreting the results.
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