Enterococcus spp.
Gram-positive genus of lactate-producing bacteria in the Firmicutes phylum. High levels may be due to reduced digestive capacity, constipation or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Low levels may indicate insufficiency of beneficial bacteria.
Enterococcus spp. refers to a group of bacteria belonging to the Enterococcus genus commonly found in the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract. These bacteria inhabit both the small and large intestines and make up approximately 1% of the human fecal microbiota.
Enterococcus spp. are Gram-positive bacteria, and they are considered commensal organisms in the gut, meaning they typically exist harmlessly in the GI tract of healthy humans and animals.
While Enterococcus spp. are generally considered commensals, some species, such as Enterococcus faecalis, have the potential to become opportunistic pathogens when the gut's microbial balance is disrupted, a condition known as dysbiosis. In such cases, Enterococcus spp. can cause infections and contribute to health issues.
Understanding the role of Enterococcus spp. in the gut microbiome is essential for comprehending their impact on health and disease.
Testing for Enterococcus spp. in stool is essential for several reasons:
→ Gut Microbiome Health Assessment: Enterococcus spp. are part of the normal gut microbiota. Monitoring their presence and levels in stool can provide insights into the overall health of an individual's gut microbiome. Abnormal levels may indicate imbalances or dysbiosis in the gut flora.
→ Infection Detection: Elevated levels of Enterococcus spp. in stool may suggest an infection. Enterococcus faecalis, for example, is a bacteria associated with infections, particularly in healthcare settings. Monitoring its presence can aid in the early detection of infections.
→ Identification of Bacterial Species: Stool testing can differentiate between various Enterococcus species. This is important as different species may have varying roles in gut health and can be distinguished through specific tests like the methyl-α-d-glucopyranoside (MDG) test and phenotypic tests.
What does it mean if your Enterococcus spp. result is too high?
High levels may be due to reduced digestive capacity, constipation or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
All Your Lab Results.
One Simple Dashboard.
Import, Track, and Share Your Lab Results Easily
Import, Track, and Share Your Lab Results
Import lab results from multiple providers, track changes over time, customize your reference ranges, and get clear explanations for each result. Everything is stored securely, exportable in one organized file, and shareable with your doctor—or anyone you choose.
Cancel or upgrade anytime
What does it mean if your Enterococcus spp. result is too low?
Low levels of Enterococcus spp. in the gut can have various implications. Enterococcus spp. are a natural part of the human microbiota, primarily colonizing the lower gastrointestinal tract among other areas. Therefore, their presence in the gut is generally considered normal and beneficial for maintaining gut health.
→ Healthy Gut Microbiome: Adequate levels of Enterococcus spp. contribute to a balanced and diverse gut microbiome, which is essential for digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall health.
→ Immune Function: Enterococcus spp. play a role in supporting the immune system by helping to regulate the gut's immune response. Low levels might compromise this function, potentially making the individual more susceptible to infections or immune-related issues.
→ Dysbiosis: Low levels of Enterococcus spp. in the gut might be indicative of dysbiosis, an imbalance in the gut microbiota. Dysbiosis can be associated with various gastrointestinal and systemic health problems, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
→ Antibiotic Use: Low levels of Enterococcus spp. can result from the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, as these drugs can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria. This disruption may lead to the overgrowth of harmful bacteria and a decrease in beneficial ones like Enterococcus spp.
Increasing low levels of Enterococcus spp. in the gut can be important for maintaining a balanced microbiota. Here are some potential strategies that may help:
→ Dietary Changes: Consuming foods that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, including certain strains of Enterococcus spp., can be helpful. Foods like yogurt, kefir, and other fermented products contain probiotics that may support their growth.
→ Probiotic Supplements: Taking probiotic supplements that contain Enterococcus strains can directly introduce these bacteria into your gut. Consult with a healthcare professional to determine the right probiotic for you.
→ Prebiotics: Foods rich in prebiotic fibers, such as onions, garlic, leeks, and asparagus, can serve as food for Enterococcus spp. and other beneficial gut bacteria, promoting their growth.
→ Reduce Antibiotic Use: Prolonged antibiotic use can deplete beneficial gut bacteria, including Enterococcus spp. Avoid unnecessary antibiotic treatments and follow your doctor's advice when prescribed.
→ Stress Management: Chronic stress can negatively affect the gut microbiota. Practicing stress reduction techniques like meditation, yoga, or mindfulness may indirectly support a healthier gut environment.
→ Consult a Healthcare Professional: If you have specific concerns about your gut microbiota or are experiencing gastrointestinal issues, consult a healthcare professional or gastroenterologist. They can provide personalized recommendations and may consider fecal microbiota transplantation in severe cases.
Remember that individual responses to these strategies can vary. It's essential to consult a healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet or taking supplements, especially if you have underlying health conditions.
Laboratories
Bring All Your Lab Results Together — In One Place
We accept reports from any lab, so you can easily collect and organize all your health information in one secure spot.
Pricing Table
Gather Your Lab History — and Finally Make Sense of It
Finally, Your Lab Results Organized and Clear
Personal plans
$79/ year
Advanced Plan
Access your lab reports, explanations, and tracking tools.
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track all results with visual tools
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export your full lab history anytime
- Share results securely with anyone
- Receive 5 reports entered for you
- Cancel or upgrade anytime
$250/ once
Unlimited Account
Pay once, access everything—no monthly fees, no limits.
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track all results with visual tools
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export your full lab history anytime
- Share results securely with anyone
- Receive 10 reports entered for you
- No subscriptions. No extra fees.
$45/ month
Pro Monthly
Designed for professionals managing their clients' lab reports
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track lab results for multiple clients
- Customize reference ranges per client
- Export lab histories and reports
- Begin with first report entered by us
- Cancel or upgrade anytime
About membership
What's included in a Healthmatters membership
Import Lab Results from Any Source
See Your Health Timeline
Understand What Your Results Mean
Visualize Your Results
Data Entry Service for Your Reports
Securely Share With Anyone You Trust
Let Your Lab Results Tell the Full Story
Once your results are in one place, see the bigger picture — track trends over time, compare data side by side, export your full history, and share securely with anyone you trust.
Bring all your results together to compare, track progress, export your history, and share securely.
What Healthmatters Members Are Saying
Frequently asked questions
Healthmatters is a personal health dashboard that helps you organize and understand your lab results. It collects and displays your medical test data from any lab in one secure, easy-to-use platform.
- Individuals who want to track and understand their health over time.
- Health professionals, such as doctors, nutritionists, and wellness coaches, need to manage and interpret lab data for their clients.
With a Healthmatters account, you can:
- Upload lab reports from any lab
- View your data in interactive graphs, tables, and timelines
- Track trends and monitor changes over time
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export and share your full lab history
- Access your results anytime, from any device
Professionals can also analyze client data more efficiently and save time managing lab reports.
Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 10000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:
- The GI Effects® Comprehensive Stool Profile,
- GI-MAP,
- The NutrEval FMV®,
- The ION Profile,
- Amino Acids Profile,
- Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones (DUTCH),
- Organic Acids Test,
- Organix Comprehensive Profile,
- Toxic Metals,
- Complete Blood Count (CBC),
- Metabolic panel,
- Thyroid panel,
- Lipid Panel,
- Urinalysis,
- And many, many more.
You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.
If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.
We implement proven measures to keep your data safe.
At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.