Spacegut introduces approach to obesity

17 July 2025

KUALA LUMPUR: In celebration of World Microbiome Day, Malaysia-based health tech innovator SpaceGut unveils a science-backed, personalised approach to addressing one of the nation’s most urgent health challenge, obesity.

Through its advanced Gut Microbiome Test Kit and AI-driven personalised meal planning, SpaceGut aims to tackle the microbial imbalances that underpin excess weight gain and metabolic disorders.

Obesity has become an escalating public health issue in Malaysia. The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023 reports a rise in overweight and obese individuals from 44.5% in 2011 to 54.4% in 2023. Defined by the World Health Organisation as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above, obesity is a complex condition influenced by genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.

Recent scientific studies reveal a significant link between obesity and imbalances in gut microbiota. Individuals with obesity often exhibit reduced bacterial diversity, increased populations of energy-harvesting microbes, and chronic low-grade inflammation, all factors that contribute to metabolic dysfunction.

SpaceGut employs cutting-edge science combined with practical, at-home solutions. Its process begins with a comprehensive stool test that profiles the user’s gut microbiome in detail, identifying thousands of microbial species that influence key metabolic functions such as calorie absorption, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation regulation.

The test results are analysed using SpaceGut’s next-generation sequencing AI technology, which maps the microbiota against a proprietary bioinformatics database of over 50,000 samples. Based on this personalised analysis, users receive a customised nutrition plan that evaluates more than 300 foods and beverages across multiple categories including fruits, vegetables, legumes, meats, seafood, and carbohydrates. Each food is scored based on its interaction with the individual’s unique microbial ecosystem, highlighting choices that promote beneficial bacteria while suppressing harmful strains.

Data from SpaceGut’s users show promising results: individuals classified as overweight experienced an average weight loss of 7.2 kg within six weeks of following the personalised dietary plan informed by their microbiome data. By aligning nutritional recommendations with each person’s gut bacteria composition, the programme enhances hunger regulation and reduces cravings likely through improved gut-brain communication and balanced production of appetite hormones such as leptin and ghrelin.

"People with obesity often harbour microbial patterns that hinder their health goals. By helping them understand their microbiome and providing tailored dietary strategies, we empower sustainable weight management from within,” said Datuk Tony Wong, Founder of SpaceGut.

SpaceGut is a pioneering health tech company dedicated to transforming wellness through gut microbiome insights. Its flagship offering, the SpaceGut Microbiome Test, combines advanced laboratory diagnostics with proprietary, clinically validated AI to deliver personalised insights into digestive health and overall wellbeing. By decoding the microbiome, SpaceGut enables individuals to make informed lifestyle and nutritional choices that support improved digestion, immunity, mood, and long-term health.

Backed by scientific research and technological innovation, SpaceGut aims to make gut health accessible, personalised, and actionable. The company is expanding its ecosystem to include personalised supplement plans, expert-backed wellness guidance, and integrated support from nutrition professionals, empowering individuals to optimise their health from the inside out.