Many people monitor gut health by noting stool form using the Bristol Stool Chart. That seven‑type scale is a convenient clinical shorthand for transit time and consistency, but it is inherently limited: it describes appearance, not the biological processes or microbial activity driving digestion. Molecular assays—stool DNA and RNA testing—provide a more objective, mechanistic view of gut ecology and emerging health signals. The Bristol chart is useful for symptom tracking and initial triage, but it is subjective and coarse. Two individuals can classify the same bowel movement differently, and shape alone cannot identify inflammation, pathogenic organisms, or shifts in microbial function. In contrast, stool DNA testing analyzes genetic fragments from bacteria, viruses, and shed human cells to detect pathogens, biomarkers of inflammation, and composition changes with much greater sensitivity than microscopy or culture-based methods. Stool DNA test accuracy is supported by advances in high‑throughput sequencing and targeted molecular assays that capture low‑abundance organisms and short DNA fragments. These methods reduce false negatives for difficult-to-culture microbes and allow quantitative comparisons across samples. Importantly, DNA describes who is present in the gut, but not whether those organisms are active. That gap is addressed by stool RNA analysis and metatranscriptomics. RNA-based methods profile gene expression of the microbial community, revealing which metabolic pathways are running and which microbes are contributing to digestion, metabolite production, or inflammation. Metatranscriptomics distinguishes passive presence from functional activity: two people might have similar bacterial species profiles by DNA, yet very different RNA signatures that predict divergent effects on host physiology. Combined DNA and RNA profiling yields a richer clinical picture. Clinicians can detect early infection signals, identify inflammatory markers shed from the gut lining, and observe functional dysbiosis even when stool appearance is near normal. These insights support evidence-based adjustments in diet, medication selection, or monitoring strategies rather than relying solely on reported stool form. Practical benefits of comprehensive microbiome testing include personalized guidance informed by objective molecular data and earlier detection of perturbations that precede overt symptoms. For example, a metatranscriptomic signal indicating increased expression of proinflammatory pathways could prompt closer surveillance or targeted interventions to prevent escalation. InnerBuddies provides accessible reports that translate molecular findings into interpretable metrics and suggestions for follow-up. Readers interested in how structured testing informs recovery after interventions can review clinical tracking approaches such as how InnerBuddies helps you track gut recovery after FMT, or explore broader context in understanding your microbiome. A product reference for molecular testing is sometimes provided by testing services (e.g., microbiome test), but interpretation should emphasize clinical context and reproducibility. In summary, the Bristol Stool Chart remains a practical symptom tool, yet stool DNA and RNA testing reveal the molecular and functional underpinnings of gut health. Integrating composition and activity data improves diagnostic precision and helps identify actionable signals earlier than appearance-based assessment alone.