Our Review of Viome

A Pioneer in Gut Microbiome Testing

For many people, gut flora and microbiome are only vaguely familiar terms that may not seem that important. As it turns out, though, they are — an unhealthy gut and an out-of-balance microbiome can wreak havoc on your body, leading to all sorts of issues. So, instead of letting that happen, you should take action before it’s too late.

And luckily, Viome offers a solution. With its microbiome testing kits, this company will show you exactly what you can improve and give you all the necessary supplements and dietary advice. In just a few months, you should feel better than you have in years.

What Is Viome?

Once the world became aware of the importance of gut health, numerous companies sprang up and started selling microbiome testing kits. One such company is Viome — one of the pioneers in the field. Thanks to its years of experience in microbiome testing, Viome is respectable and reliable, providing accurate results and further advice based on them.

Viome is incredibly customer-friendly and trustworthy, putting your privacy above everything else. On top of that, the company constantly updates its machine learning algorithms, frequently giving you a more detailed analysis of your microbiome. Those two factors alone make Viome worth trying, and those aren’t even the only benefits.

There is one problem, though. While scientists are sure that the link between gut health and general health does exist, they still don’t fully understand it. Thus, even though Viome performs well as a testing kit, the dietary advice you’ll receive might not always work for you.

What Is Microbiome?

Before diving into what Viome offers and how it works, we should understand what microbiome is. To put it simply, the microbiome is comprised of the trillions of microorganisms that live in the gut. Some of those are bacteria, but there is much more than that — viruses, eukaryotes, fungi, yeast, and nonpathogenic protozoa. All these microorganisms coexist in harmony when you’re healthy.

But when the microbiome is out of balance, these microorganisms may start causing issues. Then, you may develop disorders and chronic diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and different kinds of allergies. These disorders can then affect all other aspects of your health, such as sleep and the immune system. So, clearly, a healthy microbiome is a recipe for a healthy and happy life.

What Does Viome Offer?

Viome wouldn’t be as popular as it is if it didn’t go above and beyond for its customers. For that reason, there are two at-home tests to choose from — Gut Intelligence and Health Intelligence. Both of these will analyze the sample you give, send you back the results, and then offer personalized nutritional advice and necessary supplements. What’s more, there is an option to keep retesting, allowing you to monitor your condition over a few months.

And what exactly are the differences between these two tests? Well, let’s find out.

Gut Intelligence Test

As the name itself says, the Gut Intelligence test is focused solely on your gut. That means the results will show various microorganisms that comprise your microbiome, as well as their activities. Using this test, you can find out how efficient your digestive system is and if there’s any ongoing inflammation. Once you identify the problems in your gut, you can finally begin resolving them.

Now, if you want to do the test but also receive dietary recommendations and supplement packages, you can subscribe to Precision Probiotics + Prebiotics. For $60 per month, you can get a blend of probiotics and prebiotics tailored specifically to your needs. The company claims you’ll notice a difference after just a few months of your new dietary regimen.

Health Intelligence Test

The Health Intelligence test offers everything that the Gut Intelligence one does, and even more. Aside from your gut health, this test will analyze your genes, thus giving you a fuller, more comprehensive picture of your overall condition. For instance, using this test, you can find out the details about your metabolism, immune response, biological age, and cellular health.

And much like the Gut Intelligence test, Health Intelligence is included in a subscription package called Precision Supplements Complete. Thanks to the more comprehensive picture the Health Intelligence test gives, this package comes with supplements that address broader health concerns. Aside from probiotics and prebiotics, you may receive vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and herbs as well.

On top of that, for $199 a month, you’ll be able to do a retest every six months. That way, if anything changes, your new subscription box will contain new supplements that you now need.

How to Use the Tests

To get tested with Viome, you don’t have to visit a lab or leave your house at all. Simply order the test you want from the official website and wait for your testing kit to arrive. Once it does, you need to register it online and answer a quick questionnaire about your lifestyle and nutrition. Then, you can collect the sample.

For the Gut Intelligence test, you’ll need only a stool sample, while the Health Intelligence one requires blood too. In both cases, you’ll receive all the necessary tools, as well as instructions to help you collect the samples. Don’t worry if you’ve never done it before — the process is straightforward and the instructions clear and precise.

Once you’ve collected the sample, send it to Viome’s lab. In a few weeks, the results should become available online. Then, you should use them and the advice that comes with them to modify your diet. If you’ve opted for one of the subscriptions, you’ll start receiving supplements monthly.

And, of course, if you’ve subscribed to Precision Supplements Complete, a testing kit will arrive every six months. If not, you can always order a new one, although that can be quite expensive.

In Conclusion

The downside is that Viome’s tests and subscription packages may be a bit pricey. However, its microbiome tests detect and measure many types of microorganisms in the gut, which may give you a clearer picture of your health. On top of that, the dietary advice and supplements you receive are customized, so you’ll be getting precisely what you need based on your results.

In short, if you’re looking for a good microbiome test, Viome is certainly one of the top picks.