Gut microbiome awareness low, but gut health practices high among SG residents

Knowledge and awareness of the gut microbiome are relatively low among the general population in Singapore, but practices of gut health modification are common, reports a study. 

Furthermore, acceptance of faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) may be enhanced through health education and the availability of scientifically validated information.

“Insights from the study highlight the need for health education to enhance acceptance of FMT and the importance of using information supported by medical professionals to immunize the public against poorly validated science,” the researchers said.

The research team administered an online questionnaire on knowledge and beliefs about the gut microbiome to a total of 1,831 participants. They used a data analysis software to generate descriptive statistics and explore associations between knowledge and sociodemographic variables.

Of the participants, only 33 percent had heard of the FMT procedure, but more than 92 percent had consumed probiotic drinks or supplements. [Singapore Med J 2025;66:439-448]

Moreover, 85 percent of the respondents had not heard of the FMT procedure, but 72 percent said they would consider undergoing FMT to treat Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). The willingness of these participants to receive FMT depended on recommendations from healthcare providers (77 percent).

Notably, “[k]nowledge and awareness regarding the gut microbiome and FMT were relatively low despite most participants having prior gut health-related behaviours,” the researchers said.

“Strategies to overcome these barriers may focus on raising awareness of the gut microbiome and its benefits to cater to an increasingly health-conscious society, as well as making information on FMT readily available and accessible for both the general public and healthcare professionals,” they added.

Weight

The most well-known function of the gut microbiome among participants is its impact on weight, according to the researchers. 

Previous studies have explored the involvement of the gut microbiome in metabolic regulation, energy utilization from diet, and more complex mechanisms pertaining to metabolic diseases, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. [J Endocrinol 2023;256:e220111; Protein Cell 2021;12:360-373; Nutr Today 2016;51:167-174; Nat Rev Microbiol 2023;21:535-550]

“This has garnered interest from both medical professionals and the general public, as it suggests promising avenues for microbiome-based interventions in weight management and potentially other more severe health conditions,” the researchers said. 

Given the increasing rate of obesity among adult Singapore residents, from 10.5 percent in 2020 to 11.6 percent in 2022, the researchers believe that high-risk individuals, particularly young working adults, are paying greater attention to their diet and lifestyle behaviours.

"Since weight serves as a prominent indicator of health, it is essential to consider not only dietary habits, but also the major role of the gut microbiome in digestion and metabolism,” they said.

Balance

The gut microbiota plays an important role in the balance of health and diseases. Because of this, “there has been a great interest in applying microbiome-based therapeutics, such as FMT, disease-specific probiotics, bacteriophages, and microbiota-mediated metabolites for a myriad of medication conditions,” according to the researchers.

"For patients with recurrent CDI, FMT has proven to be effective in both rebalancing the gut microbiome and restoring its natural functions,” they added.