Thorne announced the relaunch of its Gut Health Test, which provides analysis and personalized results about a consumer’s microbiome, this time including a patent-pending Microbiome Wipe, which is a first-to-market approach to stool samples that promises to improve user experience. Inconvenient stool sampling, Thorne reports, leads users to either postpone gut health tests, or not take tests at all.
 
Testing protocols and sample collection are not user-friendly, Thorne reports, and through technological advances, the company is introducing a new way to provide personalized test results that help users make meaningful changes to improve their overall health and wellness.
 
“Gut health is fundamental for all health, including mental, emotional, and physical health. A microbiome imbalance in the gut contributes to gastrointestinal disorders, chronic disease, poor nutrient absorption, and even drug resistance that prevent some medications from working,” said Dr. Nathan Price, chief scientific officer of Thorne HealthTech. “The inclusion of the Microbiome Wipe in our Gut Health Test provides an opportunity for users to access testing without the discomfort and hygiene concerns of traditional stool sample collection. This new approach to gut health testing will arm our customers with the data and personalized solutions they need to live healthier for longer.”
 
The Microbiome Wipe is made from a biodegradable polymer that breaks down in a provided testing solution that preserves the user’s DNA. The Gut Health Test provides users with an analysis of factors related to digestion, inflammation, the nervous system, immune function, and the presence of pathogens. By mapping and integrating results of the test, Thorne offers users a personalized action plan that targets gastrointestinal discomfort and wellness.
 
According to Thorne, the Microbiome Wipe showed increased efficacy compared to traditional stool collection methods, in a clinical study that is expected to be published in Frontiers in Immunology. The study showed that the Microbiome Wipe performed comparably to a commercial room temperature DNA/RNA preservation kit, and performed similarly to frozen samples for most metrics. The same study found that the wipe collection method enabled easy access to sampling, testing, and genetic analysis in clinical trials, home use, and even remote environments.
 
“Understanding the microbiome is a powerful tool in optimizing your overall health. Current market solutions prevent many individuals from completing microbiome tests. With the relaunch of the Gut Health Test, which now includes our new Microbiome Wipe, we have removed the sample collection barrier and achieved a user experience grounded in comfort,” said Paul Jacobson, CEO of Thorne HealthTech. “This fundamental change in gut health testing will enable many more individuals to receive personalized solutions that will empower them to make meaningful changes to their overall health.”