Bacteria in the gut could be the key to diagnosing chronic conditions

David Deacon
Jul 28
2 min read

Digest this:

Gut bacteria vastly outnumber your cells and are a big influencer on everything from digestion to brain chemistry - and how it works is still a mystery.

We know that our body contains roughly 30 to 40 trillion cells, yet our intestines

house around 100 trillion gut bacteria. That means microbial cells outnumber our cells.

We also know that 88 percent of our body's immunity is found in the lining of our gastrointestinal (GI) system.

The main points from the Article

“Bacteria in the gut could be the key to diagnosing chronic conditions”

Researchers used an AI platform called BioMapAI to analyse gut bacteria, immune responses, and metabolism in 249 individuals.
The study achieved 90% accuracy in identifying patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
Individuals with ME/CFS had lower levels of butyrate, a beneficial fatty acid, and other nutrients essential for energy and metabolism.

What is Butyrate and why is it important:

"It was found that those with chronic fatigue had lower levels of Butyrate"

Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) produced in your colon when gut bacteria ferment dietary fibers—especially resistant starches and certain types of soluble fiber. It plays a critical role in energy production and metabolic health, particularly in the gut.

Diagnostic Potential:

Immune cell analysis was most accurate for predicting symptom severity.
Gut bacteria data helped predict emotional symptoms and sleep disturbances, suggesting broader biological dysregulation.

Broader Impact:

This research could lead to precise diagnostic tools and treatments for ME/CFS and long Covid, which share similar symptoms.
ME/CFS affects an estimated 404,000 people in the UK, and long Covid remains a diagnostic challenge.

My Thoughts:

Overall, this article sheds light on an exciting frontier in gut health that many of us overlook or feel disconnected from in today’s busy, modern world. Recognising the importance of our gut can truly transform our well-being—something worth exploring!