The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Yes. A microbiome is not just bacteria: it includes fungi, viruses, other microbes and their genes. The fungal community within a microbiome is called the mycobiome; researchers study how it varies across the body and how it may interact with people and other microbes. Its health effects are still being investigated, so a fungal finding alone does not show that a person is ill or needs treatment.
What does “mycobiome” mean?
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences defines the microbiome as “the collection of all microbes, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and their genes, that naturally live on our bodies and inside us.” NIEHS’s microbiome overview makes clear that fungi belong in the picture alongside bacteria and viruses.
Mycobiome means the fungal component of a microbiome. Mycobiota commonly refers to the fungal organisms in that community. Researchers’ terminology can vary between papers, but both terms concern fungi associated with a particular environment, such as a body site. A 2024 review describes fungi and viruses as microbes that received less attention in microbiome research until recently. Iyer and Ojcius, “Unveiling the mycobiota: The fungal frontier of human health”.
Are fungi part of the gut microbiome?
Yes. Human-associated fungi are found in the gut as well as at other body sites, including the skin, mouth and lungs. These communities are not interchangeable: each body site is a different ecological niche, and its fungal community should be considered in that context. A finding from the gut cannot automatically describe fungi elsewhere in the body.
#1 Best Overall
- UNDERSTAND YOUR GUT BACTERIA: Learn how the bacteria in your gut impacts your health and overall wellness through comprehensive microbiome analysis
- US-BASED LAB, FAST RESULTS: Your sample is processed in our US laboratory with results in 1-2 weeks. DNA Shield preservative ensures sample quality during shipping.
- COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS: Each report includes 43 Gut Health Scores covering up to 3,000 microbes — from Short Chain Fatty Acid and vitamin producers to detoxification enzymes, lactose and oxalate intolerance markers, and more. We match your results to 20,000+ professional-grade supplements personalized to your unique microbiome.
- PERSONALIZED RECOMMENDATIONS: Receive tailored food, supplement, and prebiotic recommendations based on your unique microbiome composition. Not generic advice — specific actions based on your actual gut bacteria.
- EASY AT-HOME TEST: Collect your sample at home in minutes with the included collection kit. Simple instructions, free return shipping, and results delivered through our secure online platform. Track your progress over time by comparing multiple samples.
Researchers examine how fungi interact with the host and with bacteria and other microbes. Reviews of human mycobiota discuss variation between body sites and the methods used to study these communities. “Forgotten fungi: the importance of fungi in gut microbiota studies” provides background on those themes.
Do gut fungi affect health?
That is an active research question, not a settled clinical answer. Reviews describe possible links between fungi and health, along with biological mechanisms that could help explain them. But an association does not establish that a fungal change causes a disease. Nor does a plausible mechanism show that changing someone’s fungal community would improve their health.
Rank #2
- Comprehensive Gut Health Insights: With Tiny Health Gut Test, gain clear, actionable insights into your gut microbiome to understand its impact on your immune system and overall health, helping you identify and correct imbalances
- Health Test Kit at Home - Easy and Without Mess: Complete the simple stool collection in just 5 minutes at home - no complicated devices or messy processes. Enjoy a seamless, user-friendly experience from start to finish
- Personalized Action Plan: Receive a detailed, easy-to-understand gut check report within 3-4 weeks, including a customized plan with specific diet, lifestyle, and evidence-based supplement recommendations from our gut health specialists
- Clinically Trusted Accuracy: All tests are processed in a CLIA-certified and CAP-certified laboratory, ensuring accuracy and the highest quality standards for reliable, trustworthy results
- Proactive Health Management: Whether addressing persistent symptoms or optimizing overall wellness, this adult test kit empowers you to make informed decisions and take early, effective steps to improve your health from the inside out
A 2024 review of intestinal fungal-host interactions considers possible roles in health, while emphasizing a field still building its evidence. “Intestinal fungal-host interactions in promoting and maintaining health”. Findings need to be interpreted in light of where samples came from, how fungi were detected, who was studied, and whether the evidence shows an association or a demonstrated effect in people.
Recommended Free Tools
Can a mycobiome be called healthy or unhealthy?
There is no simple, universal fungal profile that defines a healthy person. The broader idea of a single “healthy human microbiome” remains controversial, and mycobiome research also faces challenges in methods and standardization. The 2024 review “Examining the healthy human microbiome concept” discusses why the concept is not straightforward.
Rank #3
- YOUR WHOLE-BODY HEALTH PICTURE FROM ONE KIT: Analyzes your gut microbiome, oral microbiome, and cellular health together with a single at-home test. See how your whole body is connected instead of testing one system at a time.
- COMPREHENSIVE TESTING: Measures 300,000+ biomarkers from stool, saliva, and blood samples. You get 70+ health scores, including BioAge, InflammAging, Heart & Metabolic Health, Energy & Performance, Mood, Memory & Focus, Immunity, Gut & Digestive Health, Gut Lining Health, Oral Health, and Cellular Stress.
- FLAGS POTENTIAL ISSUES: Gut scores identify signs of imbalance that may be influencing your digestion and gut barrier integrity. Oral scores identify microbial activity linked to bad breath, gum health, and dental health. Cellular scores show how your nutrition and microbiome may affect metabolism, energy production, aging, and cardiovascular health.
- RNA NOT DNA: Your DNA doesn’t change, even though your body does. It can't explain why you felt fine last year and don't now. RNA can. Full Body Intelligence measures RNA, what your genes are doing, for precise insights and recommendations built for what your body needs now. It’s the difference between having a symptom and knowing what’s causing it.
- SEE YOUR BIOLOGICAL AGE: Results include a biological age score alongside cellular health markers. See how your body is aging next to the number on your birth certificate.
Because results depend on the body site and the methods used, a difference from one study’s results does not by itself mean that someone’s community is unhealthy. The evidence cited here does not establish that a consumer test can diagnose an unhealthy mycobiome or identify a fungal imbalance that needs correcting.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you try to change your gut fungi?
The reviews discussed here do not establish a specific consumer treatment or product for modifying an individual’s mycobiome. Early findings about fungal communities are not, on their own, a reason to take a supplement, use a test, or attempt to change the gut microbiome. Questions about symptoms or treatment belong in a conversation with a qualified health professional, who can consider the person’s clinical situation rather than infer a diagnosis from a microbiome result.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- DISCOVER SPECIFIC DIETARY TRIGGERS. The screening pinpoints which foods items your gut may have trouble breaking down properly. This internal gut stress can turn into physical symptoms like bloating, diarrhea, acne, headaches, and joint pain. Identifying these triggers allows you to make targeted dietary adjustments that can reduce discomfort and support better nutrient absorption.
- CLEAR INTOLERANCE LEVELS. The tested food items are sorted into four categories: no significant response, mild, moderate, or high intolerance. This format helps you easily see which foods may be tolerated in small amounts and which should be avoided for a reset period, allowing your body to heal and rebalance.
- COVERS 30 DISTINCT FOOD AND ADDITIVE CATEGORIES. Our hair analysis test evaluates items across proteins, dairy, grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seafood, mushrooms, herbs, and spices. It also screens for common additives such as preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilizers, thickeners, food dyes, sweeteners, probiotics, and prebiotics, giving you a detailed look at potential triggers from both whole foods and processed ingredients.
- NON-INVASIVE COLLECTION PROCESS. A small hair sample is all that is required, collected in the comfort of your own home. This method avoids the hassle of needles while giving you reliable data about your body’s interaction with a wide variety of foods.
- FAST, DETAILED DIGITAL REPORT. Within 4 days of your sample reaching the lab, you’ll receive a full analysis sent to the registered email. The report provides a practical foundation to adjust your diet and create a plan for long-term digestive health.
Rank #4
- 370+ FOOD RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR BIOLOGY – Based on your RNA test results, receive a personalized food list organized into 4 buckets designed to optimize your gut health: ingredients you can eat in abundance, ingredients you can enjoy with no health setbacks, ingredients to consume minimally, and ingredients to avoid
- PERSONALIZED NEXT STEPS BEYOND FOOD – Your results also include buying options for customized for supplements, probiotics, and prebiotics tailored to your microbiome activity, giving you a more personalized plan to reduce guesswork around digestive concerns.
- SIMPLE AT-HOME KIT WITH APP RESULTS – Register your gut testing kit, collect your stool sample at home, send it back for analysis, and view your results in the Viome app in about 2 to 3 weeks, including scores, food guidance, recipes, and progress tracking.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →
