Gut Check: Your Second Brain in Action – How Gut Microbiome Testing Shapes Your Health, Mood, and Longevity

The truth is most medical doctors don’t know much about nutrition, the gut microbiome, food sensitivities, micronutrient deficiencies, or the chemicals and junk in our food supply—and that’s where I come in. My name is Meg, owner of Harmony With Food, also known as the “anti-diet dietitian.” I’m here to change the way you think about food with the help of functional nutrition and targeted digestive health testing.

If you’ve been struggling with we ight loss resistance, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, gas, IBS symptoms, fatigue, brain fog, or anxiety, this post is for you. Today, we’re talking about stool test vs colonoscopy, the gut-brain axis, psychobiotics, micronutrient deficiencies (like vitamin B12 deficiency), and why you need to be your healthcare advocate by using advanced tools like gut microbiome testing.

Colonoscopies vs. Stool Tests – Could the Future Be At-Home Screening?

Routine screenings save lives by catching colorectal cancer early. But here’s the surprising news: recent studies show that laboratory stool tests—specifically the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)—perform just as well as colonoscopies in detecting early disease.

For many, the ability to do an accurate gut health test at home could increase compliance, lower costs, and make prevention more accessible. That’s why microbiome testing matters—it offers a detailed analysis of your intestinal ecosystem, giving insights into bacteria, diversity, balance, and function long before symptoms or disease appear.

Why the Gut Is Called Your “Second Brain”

Your gut microbiome is made up of trillions of microbes—including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This living community influences digestion, immune health, and even mood by communicating with your brain through the gut brain axis.

The vagus nerve acts like a two-way superhighway, carrying signals between your gut and brain. When your gut health is out of balance—a condition known as dysbiosis—you may experience symptoms like depression, anxiety, brain fog, or sleep disturbances, along with digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome.

Meet Psychobiotics – Probiotics for Your Mood

You’ve heard of probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics—but psychobiotics are the next frontier. These are specific probiotic strains shown in research to influence neurotransmitter production, reduce stress hormones, and calm inflammation in the brain.

Some of the best-studied psychobiotic strains for gut health and mood include:

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus – supports GABA production

• Bifidobacterium longum – lowers cortisol and improves mood

• Lactobacillus helveticus – boosts resilience to stress

• Bifidobacterium breve – reduces inflammation linked to anxiety

Before you run out and buy supplements, remember: random supplementation can be a waste of time, money, and even harmful. The best step is personalized nutrition guided by gut microbiome testing.

Why Testing Matters More Than Guessing

In functional nutrition, we use advanced testing such as:

• Gut microbiome testing – provides a full report on species diversity, DNA sequencing, and microbial balance

• Food sensitivity test – identifies hidden dietary triggers that disrupt digestion and cause inflammation

• Micronutrient testing – detects deficiencies, like vitamin B12 deficiency, that can mimic major diseases

These tests give personalized insights to guide leaky gut treatment, improve nutrient absorption, and support long-term wellness. Without this data, you’re left guessing—and that delays results.

Conventional Medicine Is Reactive—You Need to Be Proactive

I’ve seen firsthand how reactive conventional healthcare can be. Years ago, I was injured in a hospital, needed five additional surgeries, and decided to shift my career toward functional medical nutrition.

For chronic conditions—like IBS relief, fatigue, anxiety, or ongoing digestive issues—quick fixes aren’t enough. Gut microbiome testing and personalized nutrition uncover root causes so you can take real steps toward healing.

The Microbiome and Aging – Yes, You Can Slow It Down

Research shows that your microbiome changes with age, but you can track and improve it with gut microbiome testing. A healthy gut supports immune function, nutrient absorption, reduced inflammation, stable metabolism, and healthy weight management.

Imbalances—like low Akkermansia levels or an unfavorable Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio—can contribute to weight loss resistance, even with diet and exercise. Knowing your microbiome composition allows for targeted strategies to rebalance it.

My Call to You – Stop Suffering and Start Testing

If you’re tired of hearing “everything looks normal” while you still feel awful, it’s time to go deeper with gut microbiome testing and digestive health testing.

1. Visit harmonywithfood.com

2. Click the big white “Free Call” button

3. Answer a few short multiple-choice questions

4. Choose a time for your call (phone or Zoom)

5. We’ll review your history, recommend the right tests, and create a personalized nutrition plan to get you feeling like yourself again.

Remember: Fix the Gut, Fix the Brain

Your gut health impacts your mood, immune system, metabolism, and overall wellness. Don’t let quick fixes or fad diets keep you stuck. Functional nutrition paired with gut microbiome testing provides the science, data, and action plan to help you thrive.

Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and X (@HarmonyWithFood) for more on probiotics for anxiety, gut health optimization, and digestive health testing. And share the Harmony With Food Show and Podcast—because better health starts in the gut.

Schedule a Free Call With Meg

Episode Transcript