Gut Health & Microbiome Flashcards
7 cards from real IIN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Gut Health & Microbiome flashcards as text
Which bacterial phyla ratio is commonly studied as a marker of gut health and metabolic function?
Answer: Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio
The Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio is widely studied, with an elevated ratio associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome, though research on its clinical utility continues to evolve.
Akkermansia muciniphila is a beneficial gut bacterium that specifically degrades and lives within:
Answer: The intestinal mucus layer
Akkermansia muciniphila resides in and degrades the intestinal mucus layer, and higher levels are associated with better gut barrier integrity and metabolic health.
A postbiotic is best defined as:
Answer: An inanimate microbial cell or its components that confer health benefits
Postbiotics are defined as inanimate microorganisms or their cellular components (such as cell wall fragments or metabolites) that provide a health benefit to the host.
Which dietary compound found in cruciferous vegetables supports gut health by modifying the gut microbiome and producing anti-inflammatory metabolites?
Answer: Indole-3-carbinol (I3C)
Indole-3-carbinol from cruciferous vegetables is metabolized by gut bacteria into compounds like indole that support gut barrier function and have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
What is the recommended approach for introducing high-fiber foods in a client with a history of dysbiosis or digestive sensitivity?
Answer: Gradually increase fiber intake to allow the microbiome time to adapt
Gradually increasing fiber intake allows gut bacteria populations to adjust and minimizes uncomfortable symptoms like bloating and gas during the microbiome transition.
Which testing method provides the most comprehensive assessment of the gut microbiome composition?
Answer: 16S rRNA gene sequencing or whole metagenome sequencing
16S rRNA gene sequencing and whole metagenome sequencing identify microorganisms by their genetic material, providing far more comprehensive bacterial identification than culture-based methods.
In IIN's health coaching approach, when a client reports chronic bloating and gas, the FIRST recommendation should be to:
Answer: Explore dietary history, stress levels, and lifestyle factors before making specific recommendations
IIN's bio-individuality approach emphasizes thorough exploration of a client's full health picture—diet, stress, sleep, and lifestyle—before making specific supplement or elimination recommendations.