WHAT CAN YOUR GUT TELL US?
Your gut is home to trillions of microorganisms that influence far more than digestion.
This complex ecosystem, known as your gut microbiome, interacts with nutrient metabolism, immune function, inflammation, the intestinal barrier and many other processes throughout the body.
And because healthy hair depends on the health of the body growing it, sometimes understanding what is happening in the gut gives us another valuable piece of the puzzle.
That is where BiomeFX™ can come in.
WHAT IS BIOMEFX™?
BiomeFX™ is an at-home stool analysis developed by Microbiome Labs that uses whole-genome sequencing technology to take a detailed look at the microorganisms living within your gut.
Rather than simply telling us whether certain bacteria are present, BiomeFX can provide information about the composition, diversity and functional activity of the microbiome. Helping us better understand not only who is there, but what that microbial community may be doing.
The goal isn't to label your gut as “good” or “bad.”
It's to gather information.
Information that can help us make more individualized decisions about nutrition, lifestyle and targeted gut support instead of simply guessing.
WHAT CAN BIOMEFX TELL US?
The BiomeFX report provides an extensive look at the microbial ecosystem and may offer insight into areas such as:
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Overall microbial diversity
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Beneficial and keystone organisms
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Opportunistic microorganisms
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Gut barrier and inflammatory patterns
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Patterns of dysbiosis or microbial imbalance
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Microbial metabolites and functional activity
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Fermentation patterns
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Vitamin biosynthesis pathways
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Microbial pathways associated with hormones and neurotransmitters
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Resistome information
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Individualized food, prebiotic, probiotic and lifestyle considerations
WHAT DOES YOUR GUT HAVE TO DO WITH YOUR HAIR?
More than most people realize, although the relationship is not as simple as “poor gut health causes hair loss.”
Hair follicles are highly active structures that depend on a steady supply of nutrients and a healthy internal environment.
Meanwhile, the gut microbiome participates in processes involving digestion, nutrient metabolism, immune signaling, inflammatory balance, intestinal barrier integrity and the production of microbial metabolites.
When those systems become disrupted, the effects aren't necessarily confined to your digestive tract.
That matters in hair-loss work because hair loss is frequently multifactorial.
Hormones may matter.
Nutrition may matter.
Stress and nervous-system health may matter.
Genetics may matter.
Inflammation or immune activity may matter.
The scalp environment may matter.
And gut health may be another piece of that picture.
Emerging research has identified differences in the gut, scalp and follicular microbiomes in several types of alopecia. We are still learning exactly how significant those relationships are, and microbiome testing should never be viewed as a standalone explanation for every case of hair loss.
Instead, I use this information as another way to ask:
What is the body communicating, and is there something here worth supporting?
DO I HAVE TO HAVE DIGESTIVE SYMPTOMS?
No.
Some people with an altered gut microbiome experience obvious digestive symptoms such as bloating, irregular bowel movements or food intolerance.
Others do not.
The microbiome interacts with systems throughout the body, which is one reason I don't look exclusively for stomach symptoms when considering whether deeper gut investigation may be useful.
At the same time, simply having hair loss does not automatically mean you need a microbiome test.
INFORMATION CHANGES THE CONVERSATION
BiomeFX does not give us a crystal ball, and a microbiome report by itself does not explain every symptom or every case of hair loss.
What it can give us is another layer of information.
And sometimes that information helps us stop guessing.
Instead of asking:
“What probiotic should I take?”
we can begin asking:
“What does my microbiome actually need?”
Instead of assuming the gut is, or isn't, involved, we can look more closely.
And when you're trying to understand something as complex and multifactorial as hair loss, having better information can help us create a much more thoughtful path forward.
BiomeFX Investment
The total investment for BiomeFX testing and your personalized results review is $495.
This includes:
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$395 for the BiomeFX test kit
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$100 for your required results-review consultation with me
Because BiomeFX testing is practitioner-supported, your results are reviewed with you rather than simply being delivered as a report without guidance.
If you purchase the test through Rooted Awakenings, the $495 payment includes both your test kit and your results consultation.
If you purchase the $395 test directly through the online link, the $100 results consultation is scheduled and paid separately.
Either way, your complete BiomeFX experience is $495.