The microbiome influences how we extract energy from food, inflammation and some signals of fullness. Studies have observed differences between the microbiomes of people with obesity and those of people within the normal weight range, and in animals the microbiome can influence weight gain.
In humans, however, cause and effect remain unclear, and popular markers such as the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (now Bacillota and Bacteroidota) are not reliable on their own. A microbiome test is not a weight-loss method: diet, physical activity and rest remain the foundations, and your microbiome may help you refine your eating habits. If you would like a specific plan, a nutritionist can prepare a nutritional report based on your results.