Focus on Obesity with the InnerBuddies Gut Microbiome Test

Coming soon: expected launch date Summer 2025.

This product is ONLY available for B2B partners which have a medical professional in the process who can advice the patient and manage the Obesity treatment.

    innerbuddies gut microbiome testing

    The global Obesity epidemic

    Obesity is a medical condition characterized by excessive accumulation of body fat that poses a risk to health. It is typically measured using the body mass index (BMI), with a BMI of 30 or higher classified as obese. Obesity is a complex condition influenced by a combination of genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors. Poor diet, lack of physical activity, and sedentary lifestyles are major contributors, but hormonal imbalances, certain medications, and psychological factors also play a role. It significantly increases the risk of developing chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.

    Beyond physical health, obesity can have serious social and emotional consequences. Many individuals with obesity experience stigma, discrimination, and reduced quality of life, which can contribute to mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Addressing obesity requires a multifaceted approach, including lifestyle changes, medical support, and public health initiatives that promote healthier food environments and active living. In some cases, pharmacological treatments or bariatric surgery may be recommended for those who do not respond to lifestyle interventions alone. Prevention and early intervention remain key strategies in tackling the global obesity epidemic.

    innerbuddies gut microbiome testing

    The Gut Microbiome: A Hidden Key to Understanding Obesity

    The gut microbiome—an ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms living in the digestive tract—plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism, nutrient absorption, and immune function. Emerging research suggests that imbalances in this microbial community, known as dysbiosis, may significantly influence the development of obesity. Certain bacteria in the gut can extract more calories from food, influence fat storage, and affect hormones related to hunger and satiety. People with obesity often show reduced microbial diversity and an unfavorable ratio of certain bacterial groups, such as Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes, which may contribute to weight gain and metabolic disturbances.

    In addition to metabolic effects, the gut microbiome interacts with inflammation and insulin sensitivity—two factors closely linked to obesity. Chronic low-grade inflammation driven by microbial imbalances can disrupt the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar and fat storage. Diet, antibiotics, and lifestyle can all alter the gut microbiome, making it a promising target for personalized nutrition and therapeutic strategies. Interventions such as high-fiber diets, fermented foods, prebiotics, probiotics, and even fecal microbiota transplants are being explored for their potential to reshape the gut ecosystem and support healthier weight regulation. Understanding and nurturing the gut microbiome may be a vital step in addressing obesity more effectively.

    The InnerBuddies module "Obesity" gives you insight in:

    • Microbiota-mediated energy harvest (SCFAs, BCAAs)

      Affects caloric extraction from food, metabolic signaling, and fat storage. Butyrate production: microbial fermentation of acetyl‑CoA/succinate; fuels colonocytes, modulates satiety/gut hormone release. Microbial BCAA synthesis/degradation influences serum BCAA and host metabolic signaling. Archaeal methanogenesis consumes H₂ and CO₂/aceteate, influencing gut transit, energy yield.

    • Barrier & Receptor Signaling

      Integrity prevents translocation of inflammatory molecules like LPS; barrier disruption is linked to obesity and metabolic endotoxemia.

    • Inflammation & Signaling

      Drives low-grade chronic inflammation in obesity; contributes to insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction.

    • Host‑Receptor Signaling (TMAO)

      These metabolites bind host receptors (FXR, TGR5, AhR, etc.), influencing metabolism, immunity, and inflammation.

    • Appetite & CNS Signaling

      SCFAs and indoles influence satiety hormones and the vagus nerve.

    • Microbial Diversity

      Loss of diversity is linked with obesity and metabolic disease.

    • Lipid/Glucose Metabolism

      Vitamin and lipid metabolites from microbes impact insulin sensitivity.

    Targeted Recommendations

    The module "Obesity" provides you with targeted nuttrition recommendations. Targeted not only on your unique gut microbiome but also targeted on the metabolic pathways that, according to the latest scientific publications, are important for Obesity.

    • Personalized on the DNA of your own Gut Microbiome

      Receive nutrition recommendations that according to our self-learning algorithms and our large customer database have the highest impact on your own unique gut microbiome.

    • Approved by our Dieticians

      We use Responsible A.I. techniques and built an algorithm that uses both our own proprietary databases but also the knowledge and experience of our strong dietician team.

    • Actionable

      Nutrition recommendations that you can just buy in your local supermarket. For your convenience, we also provide daily dosage recommendations.

    Get started with our Obesity gut microbiome test in 7 easy steps!

    • 1. Purchase a kit & create an account.

      Do not forget to buy the personalized nutrition advice and the 3-month Noory subscription to get maximum benefit for Obesity.

    • 2. Fill in 3 day food diary & survey

      In the survey select "Obesity" as your preferred target group. One FREE target group is included with every testkit.

    • 3. Take a stool sample

      And send it back in the return envelope with a prepaid return label. The return logistics and the laboratory process will generally take 3 to 4 weeks.

    • 4. View your results

      Once your results are uploaded and ready, you will receive an email. Login your dashboard to view all analysis results and recommendations. If you also included the nutrition advice and/or the 3-month Noory subscription in your purchase, these will also be available in your dashboard.

    • food recipe platform

      5. Noory platform

      If you bought the 3-month Noory subscription, you will receive direct access to personalized food recipes and meal plans on the Noory platform which AUTOMATICALLY take into account your gut microbiome nutrition advice, your allergies, intolerances and nutritional targets.

      Have ultimate real-time flexibility to choose the food recipes that you prefer to cook and eat. Accessible through desktop or mobile device.

    • health professional

      6. Link your Healthcare Professional (HCP) (optional)

      Both InnerBuddies and Noory are able to provide FREE access to the platform to your healthcare professional. But we need your EXPLICIT consent to do so given all privacy and health regulations. In the InnerBuddies platform you can also download all report sections in PDF format for sharing.

      Noory can also provide HCP access through NooryMed, a remote monitoring platform built for HCP's that allows sharing symptoms, food tracking and also takes into account Food - Drug interactions.

    • retest your gut health

      7. Retest your Gut Microbiome

      After your 3-month Noory subscription has ended, you can perform a new gut microbiome test and hopefully see the desired improvements in your test results. A new gut test will also update your nutrition recommendations and nutritional targets to the Noory platform so that you can start another 3-month improvement process. You can also select a new target group in the InnerBuddies platform if you want to set different objectives for the new 3-month period.

    Learn more about how the Gut Microbiome is connected to Obesity

    View more articles
    innerbuddies gut microbiome testing

    Order the InnerBuddies Obesity gut test that:

    • Provides a score between 0 and 100 of how your gut microbiome composition is configured for Obesity
    • Provides detailed insight in how you rank for each of the microbial metabolic pathways that have been linked to Obesity according to the latest scientific publications
    • Uses a cutting-edge and science-based DNA technology
    • Provides you with nutritional and supplement recommendations based on your microbial results that are specifically optimized for the metabolic pathways linked to Obesity
    • Is developed by an expert team of dieticians, specialists, and scientists to offer you the most accurate gut microbiome analysis

    Who are we?

    InnerBuddies is a company born out of a shared passion for the gut microbiome. Professor Koen Venema and Jella Theeuwen, together with partners, embarked on an exciting journey. Koen, a passionate microbiologist, crossed paths with Jella, a dedicated dietitian with a lifelong love of healthy eating.

    Their shared vision led to the foundation of InnerBuddies, a company that originated as a spin-off from Maastricht University in Venlo. Based on Koen's expertise and Jella's insights, InnerBuddies started in October 2021. Fueled by their desire to help individuals, they translate scientific knowledge into practical solutions.

    Together with their partners and a small but dedicated team, they work to unravel the mysteries of the gut microbiome. InnerBuddies wants to give you the tools to take charge of your gut health through the transformative power of nutrition.

    Hear from our satisfied customers!

    • "I would like to let you know how excited I am. We had been on the diet for about two months (my husband eats with us). We felt better with it, but how much better was really only noticed during the Christmas vacations when we had received a large Christmas package and didn't stick to the diet for a while. Well that did give motivation again, because what a difference in gastrointestinal symptoms but also energy in both of us!"

      - Manon, age 29 -

    • "Super help!!! I was already well on my way, but now I know for sure what I should and should not eat, drink. I have been struggling with stomach and intestines for so long, hope I can get rid of it now."

      - Petra, age 68 -

    • "I have read your comprehensive report and advice. Many thanks for that and very informative. Presented in this way, I can certainly move forward with it. Therefore no new questions for now. I will gladly take your suggestions to heart. And good luck with your important work."

      - Dirk, age 73 -