Skip to main content

Bacteroidetes Firmicutes Ratio

Meaning

The Bacteroidetes-to-Firmicutes ratio is a metric used in gut microbiome analysis to quantify the relative abundance of these two dominant bacterial phyla within the human gastrointestinal tract. This ratio is considered a significant biomarker reflecting the overall composition and potential functionality of the gut ecosystem. Clinical studies frequently correlate shifts in this balance with various metabolic and inflammatory states. A lower ratio, often indicating a higher proportion of Firmicutes, has been associated with increased caloric extraction and adiposity in some populations.