Microbial Diversity

Microbial diversity refers to the complex ecosystem of microorganisms that live within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This diverse community includes bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microscopic life forms, often called gut flora or microbiota. Gut microbes have a symbiotic relationship with humans, playing a crucial role in maintaining overall health and well-being. They contribute to processes such as digestion, nutrient absorption, and to the synthesis of some vitamins.¹ Additionally, these microorganisms help maintain a balanced immune system by recognising and defending against harmful pathogens. They also regulate inflammation and support the development of immune cells.²

The Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test provides a breakdown of your gut bacteria, so the microbial diversity score refers to the diversity of bacteria in your gut. Based on your sample, our scientists use a combination of two different tools to measure diversity: ³⁴

Microbial richness. Richness refers to the total number of different types of bacteria that live in your gut. A higher microbial richness score means a greater variety of bacteria, which can contribute to better digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall health. Chuckling Goat scientists use the Shannon Diversity Index to calculate the microbial richness in your sample. Learn more about microbial richness here.
Microbial evenness. Evenness is about how fairly the different bacteria share space in your gut. If one type of microbe dominates while others are barely present, your evenness will be low. Conversely, the evenness is high if all the microbes coexist in equal proportions. A high evenness typically means a well-balanced gut microbiome, which can support digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall health. Chuckling Goat scientists use the Simpson Index as a tool used to evaluate the evenness of your gut microbiome. Learn more about evenness here.

It’s important to consider that your diet, genetics, age, and lifestyle can influence the composition and diversity of the gut microbiome.⁵ Even your environment can play a role, with living in people in cities having lower diversity than those in rural settings.⁶ A diverse and balanced gut microbiome is generally associated with good health, while imbalances or reduced diversity can lead to various health issues, including obesity, autoimmune disorders, and gastrointestinal diseases.⁷ As the science unfolds, Chuckling Goat researchers continue to explore the relationship between gut microbial diversity and your physical and mental health, looking into what therapeutic interventions are the most effective at supporting a healthy gut microbiome.

How can you maintain a healthy microbial diversity score?

Please click here to go to the handbook page that focuses on how to maintain/improve your microbial diversity score.

Where to find microbial diversity in the Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test

You will find your microbial diversity scores – including richness and evenness – in the “Diversity” report in your Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test results.

Synonyms: microbiota diversity, microbial richness, microbiome diversity, microbial community diversity, biodiversity of microorganisms, microbial species diversity

Important disclaimer

The Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Handbook is an educational resource built to translate complex science into plain English. The information provided on this page is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Always check with your GP for interactions with medications/health conditions before changing your diet or starting to take food supplements.

References

1
Jandhyala SM, Talukdar R, Subramanyam C, Vuyyuru H, Sasikala M, Nageshwar Reddy D. Role of the normal gut microbiota. World J Gastroenterol. 2015 Aug 7;21(29):8787-803. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i29.8787.
2
Mosca A, Leclerc M, Hugot JP. Gut Microbiota Diversity and Human Diseases: Should We Reintroduce Key Predators in Our Ecosystem? Front Microbiol. 2016 Mar 31;7:455. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00455.
3
Young VB, Schmidt TM. Overview of the gastrointestinal microbiota. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2008;635:29-40. doi: 10.1007/978-0-387-09550-9_3.
4
Kim BR, Shin J, Guevarra R, Lee JH, Kim DW, Seol KH, Lee JH, Kim HB, Isaacson R. Deciphering Diversity Indices for a Better Understanding of Microbial Communities. J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2017 Dec 28;27(12):2089-2093. doi: 10.4014/jmb.1709.09027.
5
de la Cuesta-Zuluaga J, Kelley ST, Chen Y, Escobar JS, Mueller NT, Ley RE, McDonald D, Huang S, Swafford AD, Knight R, Thackray VG. Age- and Sex-Dependent Patterns of Gut Microbial Diversity in Human Adults. mSystems. 2019 May 14;4(4):e00261-19. doi: 10.1128/mSystems.00261-19.
6
Blum WEH, Zechmeister-Boltenstern S, Keiblinger KM. Does Soil Contribute to the Human Gut Microbiome? Microorganisms. 2019 Aug 23;7(9):287. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms7090287.
7
Heiman ML, Greenway FL. A healthy gastrointestinal microbiome is dependent on dietary diversity. Mol Metab. 2016 Mar 5;5(5):317-320. doi: 10.1016/j.molmet.2016.02.005.

Microbial Diversity

References

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