The Danish-Swedish company has developed an at-home test that combines microbiome science and AI to provide parents with actionable insights into their child’s gut microbiome for immunity, metabolism and cognitive development.
Test results generate science-backed strategies and meal recommendations tailored to optimize the child’s gut health.
By collecting anonymized data, Alba Health is also working to advance research on the role of the microbiome in early life health and offer solutions that may help prevent chronic conditions before they start.
Gut health testing for reduced symptoms
Cavani said that it was her personal experience with severe eczema that inspired her to create a children’s gut health testing program.
After years of suffering from the condition and finding no lasting solutions through conventional medicine, she explored gut microbiome science and lifestyle changes, eventually reversing her symptoms.
This experience highlighted the critical role of the gut microbiome, particularly in childhood, in shaping immune health, metabolism and even cognitive development.
Cavani observed that early disturbances in the microbiome—caused by factors like antibiotics, C-section births, formula feeding and the Western diet—are linked to chronic diseases like asthma, obesity and diabetes.
Motivated to prevent such conditions in future generations, she co-founded Alba Health with microbiome expert Professor Willem de Vos, whose research shows that the gut microbiome in infancy can predict long-term health.
Raising funds for microbiome research
After raising €2.6 million in funding, Alba Health launched the Prevent Study, which collected data on children’s microbiomes and lifestyles from recruits who volunteered through social media, a campaign that received 1,000 sign-ups in one week.
“It’s the biggest company-led study in this field, where we collected samples from children over time, and now we have over 300,000 data points connected to lifestyle and health,” Cavani said.
“Based on this reference, we launched our product—so now we do microbiome testing and provide nutritional guidance with certified coaches for optimal well-being.”
She explained that this is a wellness solution, not a medical device, however, parents frequently share that the guidance provided by Alba Health has provided their children with relief from issues like eczema and constipation.
Fecal microbiome test
Cavani said that Alba Health’s fecal microbiome test differentiates itself by using deep metagenomic sequencing, a more advanced method than the standard techniques.
Deep sequencing makes it possible to identify microbes at the strain level and analyze specific genes with high accuracy. Cavani emphasized that this approach delivers university-level precision, unmatched by other providers, including those offering tests for adults.
The company also uses machine learning and bioinformatics tools to analyze microbial DNA and identify bacterial composition and functions.
It compares findings to reference data and develops symptom-linked indicators to enhance recommendations. Cavani explained that the data combines Alba Health’s own with public datasets from around the world, ensuring a comprehensive global comparison.
Overcoming skepticism
The idea originally faced skepticism, particularly the notion of collecting and mailing in stool samples, which people assumed would be off-putting or unworkable.
“When I started the company, people didn’t believe this was possible at all—they said it’s not going to be possible to get people to take a sample of stool and send it in the mail—they thought that was unfeasible, they thought people were going to be disgusted by it,” Cavani said.
“They thought people wouldn’t take the interventions because it’s difficult to get people to change their lifestyle.”
However, it turned out to be straightforward for parents who were not bothered by the process.
“The thing is, parents are used to changing diapers and looking at poop samples is almost natural to them,” Cavani said. “The other thing is, many people would do something for their children that they wouldn’t do for themselves.
“We’ve seen a much higher retention and behavior change from parents and families than we expected.”
Public health to focus on children’s microbiome
Consumer demand for gut health products is growing rapidly compared to previous years, Cavani said, a rise stemming from increased awareness driven by documentaries and a growing understanding of the link between gut health and symptoms.
For Alba Health, while gut health is relevant for everyone, the focus remains on children due to the significant impact of gut microbiome research, including ongoing longitudinal studies. The evidence of dietary influence on gut health is clear, and this trend is expected to extend to broader audiences.
Cavani noted that interest in children’s gut health is now influencing public health policy. Private investments and companies are already heavily focused on this area, and governments are prioritizing the ‘first 1,000 days’.
Recognizing that gut health remains critical beyond this period is of the utmost importance, which will become further evident as the importance of gut health for public health continues to grow, she added.