I’ve watched the hype build up over the years. I tried one of these tests myself and was left with a jumble of bacteria names that I’m not sure how to translate into real changes. For now, I’m sticking to the basics—balanced diet, stress management, and regular exercise, which deliver proven benefits without needing a pricey microbiome report. Science is promising these tests might one day guide personalized care, but for now, it’s more of a curiosity than a game-changer.