How Microbiome Testing Helps You Personalize Nutrition and Wellness
Author: Dr. Kolin Durrant, Integrative Care Director, Doctor of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine
In recent years, gut health has moved to the forefront of holistic medicine. Once considered a niche wellness topic, the human microbiome is now recognized as a central regulator of physical and emotional health. The trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms in the gut influence everything from immune function and metabolism to mood, cognition, and inflammation.
At Saffron and Sage, we use microbiome testing to help members uncover the ways their internal ecosystem shapes their experience of health. By mapping the composition of the gut, we gain clinical insights that inform truly personalized nutrition, therapy, and wellness planning.
The Microbiome as a Foundation for Health
The human microbiome is a dynamic ecosystem that resides primarily within the digestive tract. Each person’s microbial composition is influenced by genetics, birth history, diet, stress, medications, and environmental exposures. A balanced microbiome supports digestion, regulates inflammatory pathways, synthesizes vitamins, and plays a key role in immune surveillance and neurotransmitter production.
Disruptions to this balance, known as dysbiosis, have been linked to a wide range of health concerns. These include chronic fatigue, autoimmune conditions, skin issues, hormonal imbalances, anxiety, depression, and metabolic disorders. Approximately 70 percent of the immune system is located in the gut, which underscores the importance of maintaining microbial diversity and integrity (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health).
When we assess the microbiome through testing, we can identify imbalances that may be contributing to persistent symptoms or undermining therapeutic progress. This allows us to shift from a generalized wellness approach to a strategy rooted in precision and biological relevance.
What Microbiome Testing Reveals
Microbiome testing involves the analysis of a stool sample using advanced sequencing technologies. The results provide a snapshot of microbial diversity, abundance, and function. Specifically, the report identifies:
Levels of beneficial and opportunistic bacteria
Ratios of pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory species
Markers of digestion, metabolism, and detoxification
Potential dysbiosis or overgrowth
Integrity of the intestinal barrier
This data helps us understand how your gut is functioning, how efficiently it processes food, and how well it supports immune and neurological regulation. Rather than relying on guesswork or elimination diets alone, we use microbiome results to inform targeted interventions.
Personalized Nutrition Through Microbiome Insights
One of the most actionable uses of microbiome data is to inform nutrition therapy. Each person processes nutrients differently based on the makeup of their gut bacteria. A food that supports energy and digestion in one person may trigger inflammation, fatigue, or brain fog in another.
Research published in Cell demonstrated that glycemic responses to the same foods vary significantly between individuals due to microbiome differences (Cell Journal - Personalized Nutrition by Prediction of Glycemic Responses). This means that a universal dietary approach cannot reliably serve all bodies.
At Saffron and Sage, we use microbiome testing to guide:
Microbial rebalance: Recommending specific prebiotics, fermented foods, or fiber sources to cultivate microbial diversity
Inflammation reduction: Supporting gut healing with anti-inflammatory nutrients such as polyphenols, omega-3s, and turmeric
Digestive optimization: Enhancing nutrient assimilation through personalized digestive enzymes or herbal support
Hormonal and metabolic support: Adjusting macronutrients and botanicals to support blood sugar balance and estrogen metabolism
These strategies support better energy, reduced cravings, improved mental clarity, and more resilient immune function.
The Gut-Brain Connection and Emotional Health
The relationship between gut health and emotional wellbeing is profound. The gut and brain are in constant communication through the vagus nerve, immune messengers, and neurotransmitters. Nearly 90 percent of serotonin is produced in the gut, making microbial balance critical to mood regulation.
An imbalanced microbiome can increase the likelihood of mood instability, anxiety, or chronic stress. A 2022 review in Nature Reviews Neuroscience emphasized the microbiota’s role in modulating the stress response and mental health outcomes (Nature Reviews Neuroscience - Gut Microbiota and the Brain).
For many of our members, microbiome testing provides clarity around emotional symptoms that previously lacked a physiological explanation. Integrating this data with breathwork, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and nutritional support allows for a comprehensive therapeutic plan that addresses both the physical and emotional root causes.
Impact on Immunity, Metabolism, and Hormones
In addition to mood and digestion, the microbiome influences:
Immune response: A diverse microbiome helps the immune system distinguish between threats and self-tissues
Metabolic health: Gut bacteria modulate how carbohydrates and fats are processed
Inflammatory load: Imbalanced microbes can trigger systemic inflammation, contributing to skin conditions, joint pain, and fatigue
Hormonal function: Specific bacterial species assist in estrogen detoxification and support hormonal balance, fertility, and weight regulation
A 2021 study in Nature Medicine confirmed the strong correlation between microbial diversity and improved metabolic markers (Nature Medicine - Gut Microbiome and Metabolic Health). This reinforces the clinical importance of testing for individuals struggling with weight management, fatigue, or pre-diabetes.
Integrating Microbiome Testing Into Holistic Healthcare
At Saffron and Sage in San Diego, microbiome testing is a core element of our integrative evaluation process. When a member completes a stool analysis, the results inform every layer of their personalized care plan.
This may include:
Naturopathic and Chinese medicine: Use of herbal antimicrobials, adaptogens, or probiotics tailored to the report findings
Clinical nutrition: Food plans based on current microbial composition and dietary tolerance
Bodywork and acupuncture: Therapies that regulate the nervous system and enhance gut motility and absorption
Breathwork and mindfulness: Practices to down-regulate the stress response and restore the gut-brain axis
Lifestyle strategies: Movement, sleep hygiene, and stress management tools designed to enhance microbiome stability
A New Era in Preventive Health
Microbiome testing is redefining preventive care. Rather than waiting for disease to develop, this tool offers the opportunity to identify early dysfunction and intervene before symptoms escalate. With a focus on personalization, microbiome data provides insight into how the body is functioning at a foundational level.
According to the NIH Human Microbiome Project, diversity within the gut is one of the most reliable predictors of health resilience and aging potentia (NIH Human Microbiome Project)l. Testing allows us to track that diversity and actively support it.
This is the future of functional medicine: using real-time data from the body to craft precision-based, holistic care.
A Personalized Path to Wellbeing
Microbiome testing bridges the gap between science and holistic health. It provides tangible, data-driven insights that help people understand how their gut health influences every area of life — from digestion and mood to immunity and metabolism. When combined with integrative therapies, nutrition counseling, and lifestyle support, microbiome testing empowers individuals to take control of their health journey with precision and confidence.
At Saffron & Sage, we view microbiome testing as more than a diagnostic tool — it’s a roadmap for personalized wellbeing. It allows our members to move beyond symptom management and toward a deeper understanding of how their bodies thrive.
Ready to Personalize Your Path to Wellbeing?
At Saffron & Sage, we offer microbiome testing in San Diego as part of our integrated approach to holistic healthcare. Our team of holistic health practitioners combines science-based diagnostics with personalized therapies to help you restore balance, energy, and overall wellbeing.
Whether you’re struggling with digestion, fatigue, or emotional imbalance — or simply want to optimize your health — our microbiome testing and holistic programs can help uncover the root causes and guide you toward sustainable transformation.
Contact us today at 619-933-2340 to schedule your consultation or learn more about how microbiome testing can support your journey toward optimal wellbeing.