What is gut health?
Your gut lining is a single layer of cells, sealed together by tight junctions, that lets nutrients in while keeping most microbes and food particles out. Beneath it sits a large share of your immune system, constantly sampling what passes by. Trillions of resident bacteria help digest fiber, make certain vitamins and train your immune cells. Gut health describes how well this barrier, the immune system and the microbiome stay in calm balance.
How your genes play a role
Your genes shape how your immune cells recognize microbes and how strongly they respond. Some genes build the sensors that detect bacterial signals, others control inflammatory messengers or the calming signals that switch them off. Others help cells clear away bacteria and old cell parts. Variants in these genes may be linked to a more reactive or more relaxed gut immune response, alongside diet, stress and the microbes you carry.
The gut influences comfort after meals, energy, and even how you feel day to day. Understanding your genetic tendencies can add context to experiences like sensitivity to certain foods or a gut that reacts to stress. It may also help you and your clinician think about which everyday habits deserve a little more attention. Gut health responds well to steady care, so knowing your starting point can be a quietly useful guide.
What your report shows
Your Gut Health results are explained in plain language in your private EvoDNA account, alongside the other areas in your kit.
- Microbe sensingHow your immune sensors may respond to bacterial signals in the gut.
- Inflammatory balanceYour tendencies toward stronger or gentler inflammatory signaling.
- Calming signalsHow your genes may influence the messengers that settle inflammation down.
- Cellular housekeepingInsight into how your gut cells clear bacteria and recycle worn parts.
| Gene | What it does | Result |
|---|---|---|
| TLR4 | Builds a sensor that recognizes molecules from the outer… | Typical |
| NOD2 | Detects bacterial fragments inside cells and helps coordinate the… | Moderate effect |
| ATG16L1 | Supports autophagy, the process cells use to clear bacteria… | Typical |
Each result comes with a plain-language explanation and practical points to discuss with your clinician.
Illustration only. Your report reflects your own genetic results.
Genes we analyze
| Gene | Role |
|---|---|
| TLR4 | Builds a sensor that recognizes molecules from the outer walls of certain bacteria. |
| NOD2 | Detects bacterial fragments inside cells and helps coordinate the gut's immune response. |
| ATG16L1 | Supports autophagy, the process cells use to clear bacteria and recycle old components. |
| IL23R | Makes the receptor for IL23, a messenger that helps steer certain inflammatory immune cells. |
| IL10 | Makes a calming messenger that helps keep the gut's immune response in check. |
Full panel: 13 genes
TLR2, TLR4, TLR9, IL10, TNF, IL6, IL1B, NOD2, ATG16L1, IL23R, ZO1, CLAUDIN, ZONULA
Putting results to use
Many people use their results as a starting point for conversations with their clinician about:
A wide variety of plant foods feeds the bacteria that support the gut lining.
Yogurt, kefir, kimchi and similar foods are often discussed for microbial variety.
The gut and brain are closely linked, so calm routines can support digestion.
Regular sleep and meal times may help keep gut rhythms steady.
Questions
Do my genes decide my gut health?
No. Genes describe tendencies, while diet, stress, sleep, medications and your microbiome all play large roles. Many of these can change over time.
What is a leaky gut?
It is an informal term for a gut barrier that may let more through than usual. Researchers study barrier function closely, and it is best discussed with a clinician rather than self diagnosed.
Can this report test my microbiome?
No. This area looks at your own genes, not the bacteria in your gut. A microbiome test is a separate kind of analysis.
Only interested in this area? The Gut Health & Microbiome Genetic Report is available on its own for $99.00.
