What is the microbiome?
The microbiome is the sum of the tens of trillions of bacteria, archaea, fungi and viruses that inhabit your gut. Together they weigh almost as much as an organ and carry 150 times more genes than your own body — which is why it is known as the “invisible organ” inside you and your “second genome.”
This ecosystem is no bystander: every day it takes part in your digestion, metabolism, blood-sugar control and immune balance, and even shapes your mood and sleep through the “gut–brain axis.” When the microbial community falls out of balance, the problems rarely stay in the gut.
Five Key Areas of Health Shaped by Your Microbiome
Nature vs. Nurture: What Can You Change?
Innate factors (unchangeable): Your genes, mode of birth, breastfeeding history, age and geographic environment set the baseline of your microbiome.
Acquired factors (where we can act): Diet, exercise, sleep and stress, together with precision supplementation, are the real levers that can rewrite your microbiome. Research indicates that acquired factors account for as much as 70% of the influence on your microbiome.
nubu’s precision-health pathway: Test ➜ Interpret ➜ Personalized Plan ➜ Precision Supplementation.
Who Needs Microbiome Testing Most?
If you belong to any of the following groups, microbiome testing can help you see the root cause of imbalance clearly:
• Chronic digestive discomfort (bloating, constipation, diarrhea, IBS)
• Metabolic and weight-management needs
• Low immunity or allergy concerns
• Long-term high stress and poor sleep quality
• Those who value athletic performance and anti-aging
About 70% of adults have some degree of microbiome imbalance, most commonly between the ages of 35–55. We recommend retesting every 3–6 months to track your progress.
Three Generations of Testing: Why Metagenomics Is the Gold Standard
Just as a Shiba Inu and a Tibetan Mastiff are both “dogs” yet worlds apart, the microbial world is the same — the probiotic E. coli Nissle and the pathogen E. coli O157:H7 differ by a hair. Only by seeing the species and its function can you supplement with precision.
A Direct Comparison of Three Technologies
From detection breadth to functional resolution, a point-by-point comparison of what three generations of microbiome testing technologies can truly deliver.
| Capability | qPCR | 16S rRNA | ShotgunRecommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bacteria | LimitedTargeted | SupportedBroad-spectrum | SupportedBroad-spectrum |
| Archaea / Fungi | Not supported | LimitedLimited | Supported |
| Viruses | Not supported | Not supported | Supported |
| Parasites | LimitedTargeted | Not supported | Supported |
| Species-level identificationSpecies-level ID | LimitedPanel-only | LimitedLimited | Supported |
| Strain-level identificationStrain-level ID | LimitedLimited | Not supported | Supported |
| Functional gene contentFunctional genes | Not supported | LimitedInferred | SupportedDirect |
| Antimicrobial resistance genesAMR genes | LimitedTargeted | Not supported | Supported |
| Novel species discovery | Not supported | LimitedLimited | Supported |
| Cost · Interpretation complexityCost · Complexity | $ · Low | $$ · Medium | $$$ · High |
★ Shotgun metagenomic sequencing is the scientifically recognized gold standard for microbiome testing.
From Testing to Precision Supplementation: AH39 Pro
Once you understand your microbiome, the next step is precision supplementation. nubu AH39 Pro uses pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila (AKK), whose Amuc_1100 protein and P9 peptide naturally promote GLP-1, repair the gut barrier, and improve metabolism and blood sugar.
Proven in a 12-week double-blind RCT: weight −2.27kg, body fat −1.37kg, hip circumference −2.63cm, and reduced LDL cholesterol. No injections — just one capsule a day.
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Microbiome FAQs
What is the microbiome?
The microbiome is the sum of the tens of trillions of bacteria, archaea, fungi and viruses living in your gut. It weighs about 2 kilograms and carries 150 times more genes than your own body. It is deeply involved in digestion, metabolism, immunity and mood regulation, which is why it is known as the “invisible organ” inside you.
What can microbiome testing tell me?
Using Metagenomic Sequencing, the test resolves your microbiome down to the species and functional level, revealing your microbial diversity, the balance of key beneficial and pathogenic bacteria, and your metabolic and inflammatory risk. Based on this, it provides personalized dietary and precision-supplementation recommendations.
Are pasteurized (non-live) probiotics safe and effective?
Yes — and they offer distinct advantages. A 2019 study in Nature Medicine confirmed that pasteurized Akkermansia outperforms live bacteria in improving metabolic markers. It is also stable at room temperature for up to 24 months with no risk of infection, making it more suitable for pregnant women, children and immunocompromised individuals.
How is AH39 different from ordinary probiotics?
Most ordinary probiotics use live bacteria, rely on a single strain, and lack clinical data to back their results. AH39 Pro uses pasteurized AKK rich in the core Amuc_1100 protein, combined with L. plantarum and L. rhamnosus to form a triple-synergy formula, with weight and metabolic improvements validated in a 12-week double-blind RCT.
Who is it suitable for, and how soon will I see results?
It is suitable for adults with needs around weight, blood sugar, gut barrier or immune balance. We recommend taking it on an empty stomach before breakfast with warm water — 1 capsule a day for everyday maintenance, or 2 capsules a day for weight management. Expected timeline: weeks 1–4 gut adaptation, weeks 4–8 metabolic activation, and significant improvement from weeks 8–12 onward.
What types of microbiome tests are there, and why is metagenomic sequencing the most comprehensive?
There are three generations of technology in common use: qPCR can only detect a handful of preset pathogens; 16S rRNA sees bacteria alone and resolves only to the "genus" level; while third-generation metagenomics (Shotgun) reads bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses and parasites in a single pass — down to the species and strain level — and directly decodes functional and antibiotic-resistance genes, the gold standard recognized across the scientific community.
How often should you test your microbiome?
We generally recommend retesting every 3–6 months. Your microbiome shifts dynamically with diet, stress, and medication, so regular tracking lets you see how it's trending after each adjustment — keeping your precision-health plan continuously fine-tuned.
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