**Introduction** The growing interest in gut health has led many people to wonder whether microbiome analysis can clarify food-related symptoms—particularly gluten intolerance. While some experience clear relief after removing gluten, standard celiac tests are often negative. This has prompted exploration of gut microbiome testing as a complementary tool for understanding possible causes of symptoms. Modern microbiome tests analyze stool DNA to characterize bacterial composition and functional potential. For an evidence-based overview of this topic, see [microbiome tests and gluten intolerance](https://www.innerbuddies.com/blogs/gut-health/microbiome-tests-gluten-intolerance-analysis). These assays can report biodiversity, abundance of beneficial taxa, and markers linked to inflammation or barrier dysfunction. How microbiome data are interpreted matters. Tests can signal dysbiosis—reduced diversity or increased pro-inflammatory bacteria—that may correlate with symptoms like bloating or fatigue. They can also highlight deficits in bacteria known to support gut barrier integrity, such as Bifidobacteria or Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. However, these findings are not gluten-specific and cannot replace clinical testing for celiac disease. Gut markers such as calprotectin, zonulin, and secretory IgA provide additional context on inflammation and permeability. Elevated zonulin, for example, has been linked to increased intestinal permeability in some gluten-related disorders, though its role in non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is unclear. Microbiome testing paired with physiological markers can therefore suggest mechanisms but not deliver a definitive diagnosis. Microbial patterns observed in people reporting gluten sensitivity often include reduced beneficial strains and higher levels of Proteobacteria. Some commensals can degrade gluten peptides, which theoretically modulates immune exposure to gluten-derived fragments. Still, microbiota are highly individual and influenced by diet, antibiotics, stress, and other factors; observed differences may reflect prior dietary changes (like adopting a gluten-free diet) rather than a primary cause. Researchers and clinicians emphasize that diagnosing NCGS remains a process of exclusion—ruling out celiac disease and wheat allergy, tracking symptoms, and sometimes performing blinded re-challenges. Microbiome data can add biologically plausible explanations for symptoms and suggest supportive interventions (dietary fiber, targeted probiotics, stress reduction), but they do not substitute for serology, genetic testing, or biopsy when indicated. For readers seeking practical resources, InnerBuddies provides educational materials such as Beneficial bacteria — your gut's natural defenders and a dietary guide available at A gut health diet that actually works. A plain-language overview of personalized diet approaches is also hosted on Telegraph: Personalized Nutrition with InnerBuddies. In summary, microbiome testing offers valuable context for unexplained digestive symptoms by revealing imbalances, inflammation signals, and potential functional deficits. These insights can guide further clinical evaluation and personalized lifestyle strategies but should be interpreted alongside medical testing for celiac disease and structured elimination or re-challenge protocols. For additional product information, see microbiome test.