Dysbiosis describes a shift in the composition and function of the gut microbiome that can reduce microbial diversity, lower beneficial species, and allow opportunistic organisms to expand. This imbalance is associated with digestive symptoms (bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea) and systemic effects such as fatigue, mood changes, skin conditions, and metabolic disturbances. Clinically, identifying dysbiosis relies on a combination of symptom assessment, medical history, and laboratory analysis. Modern stool-based sequencing tests provide a snapshot of the colonic microbiota, reporting species abundance, diversity measures, and functional markers (for example, genes linked to short-chain fatty acid production). For a general overview of how dysbiosis is framed in public-facing resources, see [What Is Dysbiosis and Can a Gut Microbiome Test Detect It?](https://www.innerbuddies.com/blogs/gut-health/what-is-dysbiosis-gut-microbiome-test). Key lifestyle drivers of dysbiosis include low dietary fiber, frequent antibiotic exposure, high consumption of processed foods and added sugars, chronic stress, and sedentary behavior. Early-life factors such as birth mode and infant feeding also shape long-term microbiome trajectories. Environmental influences—urbanization, pollutants, and altered microbial exposures—further modulate community composition and resilience. Symptom patterns can offer clues but are not definitive. Reduced abundance of butyrate-producing taxa (e.g., Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Roseburia spp.) commonly correlates with colonic inflammation, whereas expansions of Proteobacteria or certain enteropathogens may signal dysregulated immune interactions. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) involves a different anatomical niche and typically requires breath testing or targeted clinical evaluation rather than stool sequencing. Microbiome tests vary in scope and methodology. 16S rRNA sequencing provides taxonomic profiles at genus or species levels in some cases; shotgun metagenomics offers higher resolution and functional insight. Limitations include sampling bias toward the colon, temporal variability (the microbiome changes with diet, illness, and medications), and the challenge of translating relative abundances into causal disease mechanisms. Interpretation improves when sequencing results are combined with symptom logs, dietary records, and clinical context. For additional reading on maintaining protective gut species and dietary strategies, consult resources that focus on the role of beneficial microbes and personalized nutrition. For example, see the discussion of gut defenders at Beneficial Bacteria: Your Gut’s Natural Defenders and practical dietary guidance in A Gut Health Diet That Actually Works. A broader summary of personalized nutrition approaches is also available at this Telegraph overview. If testing suggests dysbiosis, evidence-based responses include increasing prebiotic fibers, emphasizing diverse plant foods and polyphenol-rich items, addressing sleep and stress, and reviewing recent antibiotic exposures with a clinician. Targeted probiotic or therapeutic interventions may be appropriate in specific contexts and should be guided by a healthcare professional. Follow-up testing can document shifts over time but should be interpreted alongside clinical outcomes and objective measures. Overall, microbiome testing can detect patterns consistent with dysbiosis, provided results are integrated with clinical assessment and longitudinal data. For a vendor reference, a product information page is available at microbiome test product page.