We’re studying the microbiome after 60—what changes, and why it matters.
Your participation could help us understand the key microbiome changes that occur later in life.
As we age, our gut microbiome—the trillions of bacteria residing in our digestive tract—experiences notable shifts.1
These changes can lead to decreased microbial diversity and an increase in pro-inflammatory bacteria, potentially contributing to age-related health issues such as weakened immunity2, metabolic disorders, and cognitive decline. While both men and women experience shifts in microbial composition as they age, for women, the transition into postmenopause brings hormonal changes that can further impact the gut microbiome3.
In postmenopausal women, declining estrogen levels lead to a reduction in Lactobacillus species, which are crucial for maintaining a healthy vaginal environment. This decrease is associated with increased microbial diversity and a higher vaginal pH, creating conditions that may promote inflammation and elevate the risk of infections4.
Understanding these transformations is crucial, as both the gut and vaginal microbiome play pivotal roles in maintaining overall health and well-being in older adults. By studying these microbial environments in individuals over 60, we aim to uncover insights that could lead to interventions promoting healthier aging..
[1] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41575-022-00605-x , [2]https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11087091/, [3]https://www.nature.com/articles/s44294-024-00050-y, [4]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38713891/
Help to advance research on the microbiome factors that affect longevity.
Get gut or vaginal microbiome testing at a discount and gain personalized insights into how your microbiome changes with age. By participating, you'll help us uncover how the microbiome supports healthy aging and longevity in adults 60 and over.
Am I eligible to participate?
Inclusion criteria
- Adults are qualified for this study if they are at least 60 years old at the time of purchase.
- Participants must be residents of the United States with US postal service
Exclusion criteria
- None
Track your baby's microbiome development over time
You can learn the most about your baby’s health and protect against chronic conditions by tracking changes on their gut health over their first 1000 days.
We recommend testing at 7 days old, and every 3 months until your baby is 18 months old.
A Tiny Health subscription gets you:
- Exclusive $30 discount off each test kit
- Your kits delivered when you need them
- Enter your payment details only once
- Pay only when the tests are shipped
- Free shipping
- Skip or cancel anytime
Help to advance research on the microbiome factors that affect longevity.
Get gut or vaginal microbiome testing at a discount and gain personalized insights into how your microbiome changes with age. By participating, you'll help us uncover how the microbiome supports healthy aging and longevity in adults 60 and over.
Track your baby's microbiome development over time
You can learn the most about your baby’s health and protect against chronic conditions by tracking changes on their gut health over their first 1000 days.
We recommend testing at 7 days old, and every 3 months until your baby is 18 months old.
A Tiny Health subscription gets you:
- Exclusive $30 discount off each test kit
- Your kits delivered when you need them
- Enter your payment details only once
- Pay only when the tests are shipped
- Free shipping
- Skip or cancel anytime
Help to advance research on the microbiome factors that affect longevity.
Get gut or vaginal microbiome testing at a discount and gain personalized insights into how your microbiome changes with age. By participating, you'll help us uncover how the microbiome supports healthy aging and longevity in adults 60 and over.
How to join the study
If you are interested, please complete the survey. If you qualify for the study, you will be directed toward a special purchase link to order your gut or vaginal test at the discounted rate.
Tiny Health was created for mom and baby - but our vision is lifelong.
We started with a focus on a baby’s first 1,000 days, when the microbiome plays a critical role in shaping lifelong health. Today, we offer at-home gut and vaginal microbiome tests for the whole family—delivering personalized insights from infancy through the senior years.
Processed in a CLIA-certified lab using state-of-the-art shotgun metagenomic sequencing, Tiny Health tests reveal what’s growing in your microbiome and what actions may support a healthier balance. Our reports are built on cutting-edge research and translated into practical, evidence-based recommendations.Our mission is to improve health outcomes across generations through microbiome science. From the first 1,000 days to the last, we’re learning that key shifts in the microbiome often mirror major life stages—like puberty, menopause, and older adulthood.
These are the moments when the microbiome may be most responsive to support. That’s why we’re expanding our data and tools to better serve every stage of life.
How does the Research Edition work?
Purchase the kits, take your sample, and complete the surveys.
Complete the qualification survey via the button on this page. Interested individuals will provide information including age, probiotic usage, and contact email.
If you qualify for the discounted kit, you will receive a link to purchase a Tiny Health Gut Health test at a discount.
Gut samples can be taken at home by using our swab method. Samples will be mailed in using a prepaid envelope provided with the kit.
You will fill out health history and sample surveys upon sampling.
Processed in a CLIA-certified lab and using proprietary technology, Tiny Health’s gut health test provides strain-level precision and a complete list of all microbes in the vaginal and gut microbiome including bacteria, fungi, virus, parasites, and archaea. Results will take 4-5 weeks to arrive.
Research Edition Details
This offer is suitable for US residents who are 60 + years old.
Receive gut test results approximately 4-5 weeks after sending your sample to our lab.
Every report includes a personalized expert note that is reviewed by a team of microbiome experts.
Tiny Health reports provide actionable and evidence-based recommendations aimed at improving health conditions and course-correct gut imbalances
The microbiome result report and action plan are a part of the regular Tiny Health Gut Test product and not associated with the research study.
How do we look at the microbiome?
High resolution analysis
We use shotgun metagenomics, a technology used in microbiome research. Make informed decisions with a comprehensive list of microbes found in your sample.
Functional insights
Through functional profiling, we tell you what microbes are present, how much of them are there, and what they’re actually doing.
Targeted suggestions
Get actionable advice tailored to your age and unique test results. Our at-home tests empower you with strain-level detail and precision science.
Your privacy comes first
We are dedicated to safeguarding your personal information at every turn and we will never sell your personal information. Your data is encrypted with high security standards to ensure complete confidentiality.
CLIA & CAP certified lab
Your samples are processed at a U.S. clinical-grade lab to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and timeliness of test results.
Meet our supporters:
Medical Advisors
Executive director, G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, UCLA; Author of The Mind-Gut Connection
Professor Emeritus of Microbiology & Immunology, Cornell University
Ruben Mars is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Medical Advisor; Practicing OB/GYN Hospitalist Physician, Creator and Host of The All About Pregnancy & Birth Podcast
Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Child Health at the University of Manitoba; Co-Director, Manitoba Interdisciplinary Lactation Center (MILC); Deputy Director, CHILD Cohort Study
Associate Clinical Professor, UCSF; Pediatrician and former Chief Innovation Officer, Kaiser Permanente
Board-Certified Pediatrician, Creator of Raising Amazing Podcast
Instituto de Medicina Molecular Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon
Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University
Interested? Join this study
If you are interested, please complete the survey. Qualified individuals will be contacted by the study coordinator to provide consent and enroll in the study.