Today we’re getting back into fine-tuning our critical thinking skills and taking a good look at the validity of microbiome tests: Viome, Ubiome, 2ndDay, etc.
Warning: This is a somewhat graphic topic because I say the word “poop” a lot. 
These up-and-coming companies that test your poop for inferences about the microbiome claim you can know specifically what to do and eat and how to live based on your fecal matter alone. So put you critical thinking caps on and come join me in a deeper look at our microbiome to decide for yourself what it all means.
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Episode Highlights:

* [03:16] Should I get my microbiome tested? The microbiome wasn’t heard of until 20 years ago, yet some companies are assured they can test yours and give you all the answers to your health questions… via a poop swab.
* [05:22] We change every day. Our microbiome changes depending on what we eat. Standard-of-care doctors push medication that change our microbiome in addition to that; what are the testing consequences?
* [7:54] Where’s the science? The scientific evidence behind the microbiome testing is thin at best, and nonexistent at worse. Remember, correlation does not imply causation.
* [16:32] Something smells rotten… The behind-scenes dealings between the microbiome companies and their founders have cause to be suspected; based on their promises, should investors or you be handing over your money? A little history lesson from Silicon Valley.
* [31:04] What’s the verdict? The test results from two companies don’t line up, even with an exact sample. The nutritional science is almost nonexistent; a UC Davis professor says it best.

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Transcript: