Can I Preserve My Gut Microbiota?
Preserving one’s own gut microbiota is possible through autologous microbiota preservation. In this approach, an individual’s microbiota sample is collected at a personally chosen point in time, processed, and stored under controlled conditions.
This page provides an overview of the procedure, the considerations that apply, and how it differs from conventional donor-based FMT.
What does it mean to preserve your own gut microbiota?
Autologous microbiota preservation refers to a procedure in which an individual’s gut microbiota is collected, processed, and stored as an individual medicinal product in accordance with German pharmaceutical regulations.
Only the person’s own material is used — without any donor components.
Why might it be helpful to preserve your microbiota in advance?
Research indicates that the composition of the gut microbiota can be affected by various influences, including:
- antibiotics
- gastrointestinal infections
- hospital stays
- certain medical procedures
- extended periods of reduced nutrition or significant physical/mental strain
Such changes may persist over time and substantially alter the original microbiological composition.
Preserving one’s own microbiota at a chosen point in time provides a defined personal reference, which can later be used for autologous concepts.
How does autologous FMT differ from donor-based FMT?
In an autologous approach, only the previously preserved personal microbiota is used.
In a classical donor-FMT, the material originates from another individual.
Key differences:
- no foreign material
- no donor-related variability
- exclusively individual material
- classified in Germany as an individual medicinal product
Who might benefit from microbiota preservation?
Preservation of one’s own microbiota may be relevant for individuals who expect situations in which the gut microbiota could be negatively affected, such as
- repeated or planned antibiotic treatments
- medical procedures affecting the microbiota
- frequent or recurrent infections
- specific therapies where the microbiota is involved
- prolonged periods of physical or family-related strain
In such cases, preserving and processing the microbiota in advance may allow for later autologous use.
Further information
Additional information on autologous microbiota preservation is available on the Kryobiom homepage:
https://www.kryobiom.de/en
For professional inquiries, contact options are provided on the website.