What are precision probiotics?

Precision probiotics are part of the emerging field of probiotic therapy whereby formulas are customised to an individual’s gut microbiome and biological needs.^[1] These formulas are created following a microbiome analysis and are designed to support specific health outcomes by restoring microbial balance.

 

Precision probiotics vs standard probiotics

Studies show that probiotics can be highly effective in improving gut health. Many conditions have now been linked to imbalances in gut microbiome, including metabolic syndrome, immune, and neurological disorders.^[2]

Standard probiotics are widely available, with strong research now to support their efficacy, however as science evolves we now know that. personal factors such as DNA, age, race, gender, health history, and lifestyle habits can all influence outcomes.

Precision probiotics aim to overcome the limitations of ‘one size fits all’ supplementation by using microbiome sequencing and lifestyle data to develop personalised formulations.

 

Currently offered by a handful of biotechnology companies, precision probiotic services begin with the client providing a stool sample, which is analysed to identify bacterial species and other relevant microbes. Additional assessments – such as symptoms, diet, and lifestyle factors – may also be included. The information is then used to assess imbalances or specific needs, followed by a tailored probiotic formula.

 

Pros of precision probiotics

• Targeted therapy
  Unlike mainstream off-the-shelf probiotics, precision probiotics are a customised formula of probiotic strains based on a person’s unique characteristics. Tailoring a probiotic formula to someone’s unique biological profile may overcome barriers to colonisation, potentially optimising results.^[3]
• Adjustable formulation
  Depending on the program, a client’s health may be tracked over time with follow-up tests to monitor progress. The formula can be adjusted to suit changes to the microbiome, along with any necessary lifestyle recommendations.
• Indication specific
  Dysbiosis (an imbalance of gut bacteria) has been associated with a range of health conditions, from metabolic, joint, cardiovascular, through to gut-brain imbalances .^[4] Precision probiotics may help to alleviate these conditions by providing strains clinically researched to benefit these conditions. For example, recent clinical trials have suggested that the specific strain Lactobacillus casei Shirota may be beneficial for knee joints affected by osteoarthritis.^[5]
• Backed by research
  Precision probiotics prioritise the use of strains that have been clinically researched to demonstrate a specific health benefit or mechanism of action. Microbial strains are selected according to scientific evidence for their functional properties and specific health-promoting effects. For example, Lactobacillus plantarum is often recommended for managing symptoms associated with IBS.^[6]
• Patient empowerment
  Precision medicine helps to put the patient at the centre of his or her own treatment plan.
  This can give the patient a greater sense of control, improving their motivation to adhere to wellness strategies.

 

The cons of precision probiotics

• High ongoing costs
  Depending on the company, a precision probiotic program can cost around $US67-99 per month in addition to an initial consultation (around $US300). Most companies require a subscription or minimum commitment, which may not be feasible for everyone.
• Testing accuracy
  Microbiome testing is still evolving, and the translation of results may be subjective.
  Variability between individuals and a lack of standardisation across labs can make it difficult to provide effective, evidence-based treatments.
• Privacy concerns
  Personalised healthcare requires a significant amount of sensitive private information, including genetic and personal data. This has raised concerns about privacy rights and the potential for misuse.^[7] Clients are advised to check the privacy policy of their chosen provider.
• Results can vary
  Gut microbiome composition affects how effectively new strains colonise, but even scientists still don’t fully understand how to ‘guarantee’ success. Diet, genetics, lifestyle, and other individual factors play a major role.^[8]
• Accessibility
  While precision probiotics is now available in many countries, microbiome testing itself can still be difficult to access.
• Evidence
  Despite several decades of research, some obstacles still remain. One major challenge is the strain-specific nature of probiotics. Different strains of the same species can have very different effects, yet most studies don’t compare multiple strains directly. This makes it hard to determine which ones are truly effective for specific conditions.^[9]

Are precision probiotics worth it?

While traditional probiotics are widely accessible, their effectiveness may be limited both by the quality of the product and the consumer’s biological circumstances.

The person-specific nature of precision probiotics may be beneficial for those with certain health conditions, such as IBS, mood disorders, eczema, or food intolerances. However, they involve significant investment, and, like all treatments, offer no guarantees.

 

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your physician or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.

 

References

^[1] Phan, J., Calvo, D. C., Nair, D., Jain, S., Montagne, T., Dietsche, S., Blanchard, K., Treadwell, S., Adams, J., & Krajmalnik-Brown, R. (2024). Precision synbiotics increase gut microbiome diversity and improve gastrointestinal symptoms in a pilot open-label study for autism spectrum disorder. mSystems, 9(5), e0050324. https://doi.org/10.1128/msystems.00503-24

^[2] McCoubrey, L. E., Seegobin, N., Elbadawi, M., Hu, Y., Orlu, M., Gaisford, S., & Basit, A. W. (2022). Active Machine learning for formulation of precision probiotics. International journal of pharmaceutics, 616, 121568. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.121568

^[3] Phan, J., Calvo, D. C., Nair, D., Jain, S., Montagne, T., Dietsche, S., Blanchard, K., Treadwell, S., Adams, J., & Krajmalnik-Brown, R. (2024). Precision synbiotics increase gut microbiome diversity and improve gastrointestinal symptoms in a pilot open-label study for autism spectrum disorder. mSystems, 9(5), e0050324. https://doi.org/10.1128/msystems.00503-24

^[4] Madhogaria, B., Bhowmik, P., & Kundu, A. (2022). Correlation between human gut microbiome and diseases. Infectious medicine, 1(3), 180–191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imj.2022.08.004

^[5] Rahman, S. O., Bariguian, F., & Mobasheri, A. (2023). The Potential Role of Probiotics in the Management of Osteoarthritis Pain: Current Status and Future Prospects. Current rheumatology reports, 25(12), 307–326. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-023-01108-7

^[6] Yang, B., Yue, Y., Chen, Y., Ding, M., Li, B., Wang, L., Wang, Q., Stanton, C., Ross, R. P., Zhao, J., Zhang, H., & Chen, W. (2021). Lactobacillus plantarum CCFM1143 Alleviates Chronic Diarrhea via Inflammation Regulation and Gut Microbiota Modulation: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study. Frontiers in immunology, 12, 746585. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.746585

^[7] Thapa, C., & Camtepe, S. (2021). Precision health data: Requirements, challenges and existing techniques for data security and privacy. Computers in biology and medicine, 129, 104130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2020.104130

^[8] Ebigbo, N., Long, A., Do, P., Coughlin, L., Poulides, N., Jewell, T., Gan, S., Zhan, X., & Koh, A. Y. (2025). Optimizing precision probiotics for mitigating Graft-Versus-Host disease. Microorganisms, 13(4), 706. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13040706

^[9] Veiga, P., Suez, J., Derrien, M., & Elinav, E. (2020). Moving from probiotics to precision probiotics. Nature microbiology, 5(7), 878–880. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-020-0721-1