What are the features of the Microbiome Explorer Comprehensive healthy cohort?

The reference ranges come from a carefully selected healthy cohort that reflects Westernised populations.
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The healthy group used for Microba’s reference ranges includes 484 participants who met strict inclusion criteria:
- No major medical conditions or active infections
- No severe GI symptoms
- Not pregnant or breastfeeding
- No smoking or recreational drug use
- No antibiotic/antifungal use in the last 3 months
- No use of microbiome-altering medications
- No colon cleanses in the last month
- Alcohol <2 standard drinks per day
- At least 2 servings of fruit/veg daily
- BMI under 30
- No regular exposure to hazardous chemicals
- Aged 18 years or older
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Less than 5% of program participants met these criteria. Most participants were Australian, but comparisons with cohorts from the UAE and Spain showed very similar microbial ranges, reinforcing their validity across Western populations.