The booming market for at-home microbiome kits promises insights into digestion, disease risk, and even longevity—but leading gastroenterologists warn that the science hasn’t caught up with the marketing.
Experts like Dr. Eamonn Quigley of Houston Methodist note that while gut bacteria clearly influence health, the field is still in its infancy: most of the variability between people remains unexplained. These tests—often costing $300–$500—aren’t FDA-regulated and provide reports comparing users’ microbes to a supposed “ideal,” leading to confusion and frustration for physicians and patients alike.
Compounding concerns, many testing companies also sell supplements or probiotics tied to their results, creating conflicts of interest with little proof of efficacy. Doctors stress that only diet, stress control, and lifestyle changes have proven benefits for gut health so far. In other words, the microbiome gold rush may be outpacing the evidence.