COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 803
Beta Diversity
Beta diversity measures how different a patient's microbial
composition is compared to reference populations [17]. Unlike
alpha diversity (which counts species), beta diversity examines
whether the types of microbes present align with expected
patterns:
● Beta diversity helps identify whether a patient's microbiome
composition is unusual [18]
● High beta diversity (significant difference from reference)
may indicate adaptation issues [19]
● Environmental factors and geographic location influence
expected beta diversity [20]
● Beta diversity patterns help determine whether the
microbiome is adapted to current conditions [21]
This metric provides context for understanding whether microbial
profiles match what would be expected for a healthy individual in
similar circumstances.
Microbiome Resilience
Microbial resilience represents the microbiome's ability to maintain
stability and recover from disturbances [22]. Modern testing can
assess resilience through various measures:
● Presence of key stabilizing organisms [23]
● Diversity of functional pathways [24]
● Competitive balance between different microbial
populations [25]
● Evidence of resistance mechanisms against potential
pathogens [26]
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