What Exactly Is The Viome Test Kit?
Created by Viome, a private company composed of leading doctors, entrepreneurs, and scientists, the Viome Gut Intelligence Test is a science-backed, in-home microbiome test that uses Viome’s technology, which was developed in the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), one of the most popular federal government laboratories that perform national security science. Through this test, you’ll receive tailor-fitted nutrition recommendations to allow your body to reach its best performance.
Why Test the Microorganisms Living in Your Gut?
Microbiome refers to the community of tiny living organisms that live in and on your body, including your digestive tract. When there’s an imbalance of these microorganisms in your gut—more harmful bacteria than friendly bacteria—it could cause different problems, such as:
▪ Weight gain (or difficulty losing weight)
▪ Inflammation
▪ Chronic diseases
▪ Disrupted sleep-wake cycle
▪ Lack of mental clarity
▪ Digestive problems (e.g., bloating, gas, and poor nutrient absorption)
▪ Skin problems
How Viome Gut Intelligence Test Works
Step 1: After getting your kit, you take your stool sample and complete your questionnaires.
Step 2: Using their metatranscriptomic sequencing technology, the Viome team studies your sample to identify the strain and activity of these organisms. This technology also determines if these organisms are making harmful substances or nutrients.
Meanwhile, Viome’s artificial intelligence helps them find the foods and supplements that are fit for you and your gut microorganisms.
Step 3: They’ll send you their food recommendations through the Viome app or your computer. These foods work together to encourage your microbiome to produce healthy nutrients and less of the toxins that cause inflammation in your body.
What you’ll get:
– Lists of foods for you to eat, avoid, and minimize.
– Suggestions on how to prepare your food and the serving sizes.
– Probiotics and supplements you should try (if necessary).
– The Food Sensitivity Intelligence (optional add-on) kit – This kit will let you know how your body will react to 40 types of foods and enhances your tailor-fitted nutrition plan to get the most out of it.
Click Here To Learn More About The Things You’ll Get With The Viome Gut Intelligence Test Kit!
The Pros and Cons
The Pros
Gives Valuable Insights About Your Gut
If you have experienced mild digestive issues for many years, the Viome microbiome test is a fun and easy way to know how the microorganisms in your gut are faring. Their metatranscriptomic technology identifies the specific strains of bacteria living in your gut and whether these microorganisms can process the nutrients and protein in certain foods you eat.
Provides Easy Information Access
Viome sends your results several weeks later. You can access your results and their recommendations through their app and your tablet or computer. The mobile app is easy to understand and use. You can also forward your concerns or questions about the results through this app.
Backed by Scientific Research
Microbiome testing is not pseudo-science. There’s a growing body of research that shows the connection between gut microorganisms and your weight and overall health.
For instance, researchers of a preliminary study found out that people who find it hard to lose weight have gut bacteria that are better at using carbohydrates for energy. Those who belonged in the successful weight-loss group have lots of Phascolarctobacterium, while those who belonged in the unsuccessful weight-loss group have lots of the bacterium called Dialister.
Simple, Painless Process
You’ll take a sample of your poop (a bit gross, but necessary), and then place it inside a small plastic tube and mail it to Viome. The next step is to complete your questionnaires. After that, just wait for Viome to notify you through their app and online when your test findings are already available (usually within four weeks).
Can Help Improve Your Overall Health
The information you get from Viome will greatly help you take the next steps to balance your gut microbiome to improve your overall health. By religiously following their food recommendations, you’ll see the improvements in your energy levels, digestion-related issues, sleep, skin, weight, mental clarity, and many more in just a few weeks.
The Cons
Available Only to Limited Places
At the moment, the Viome Gut Intelligence Test kit is available only in the United States (except for Maryland and New York), Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Germany, and United Kingdom. On their website, you can sign up to get notified through email if their kit becomes available where you live.
Results are limited by a Few Factors
Microbiome testing is still at its infancy. Most companies that offer products for sequencing the bacteria in your gut can provide only limited information, at least for now. That’s why scientists are wary of in-home microbiome test kits. However, we’re not saying that microbiome test kits, such as the Viome, are completely useless.
Can’t Be Used for Diagnosis
If you’re suffering from any problems with your digestive system (gluten intolerance, minor digestion issues, acid reflux, etc.) and want to use this to pinpoint the root cause, then there’s a great chance you’re going to be disappointed. The Viome Gut Intelligence Test (or others like it) are not intended for making a diagnosis.
The Bottom Line
According to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), digestive disorders affected around 60 to 70 million Americans in 2005. Examples of these digestive issues are constipation, gallstones, heartburn, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, and ulcers.
In recent years, there has been excitement around evaluating the microbiome to promote good health and prevent certain medical conditions. There are many companies who’ve come up with their own microbiome testing products, such as uBiome, DayTwo, and Viome.
Although the concept is the same, the testing method and technology of each company are different. Viome uses RNA sequencing, which offers many advantages.
Of course, Viome also has some limitations that you need to consider. Just like other microbiome test kits, it only shows what your gut health looks like at a certain point of time. If you want a complete picture of what’s going on inside your gut, you need to take multiple tests from different points in time, or get a complete medical workup from a specialist.
Overall, if you intend to use this to make a diagnosis, if you want a more accurate and detailed idea of your gut health, or if you prefer spitting into a tube than collecting a sample of your poop, then the Viome Gut Intelligence Test might not be for you.
On the other hand, if you want a convenient and easy way to determine your gut health through microbiome testing, if you’re experiencing digestive issues, or if you simply want to improve your overall health, then the Viome Gut Test Kit is a great option to consider.
Well, that’s it for this Viome review. We hope you have found it useful and wish you only the best 😊
Click Here To Learn More About Viome, And Check Out The Special Discounts That They Currently Offer!