Planet Naturopath
Pros and cons of the viome test

Viome Review (Pros and Cons)

In this Viome review we discuss the pros and cons of stool testing, and how Viome compares to other tests.

Nowadays, with so many supplements and diets to choose from it is sometimes confusing to understand what is the best option for you!

…. and tests like Viome can help you identify your optimal diet.

With the growing research into gut health gaining massive popularity, and the results showing that our gut bacteria influences nearly every aspect of our health – looking after your gut health is a priority if you want to be healthy.

Especially now with the Covid-19 pandemic creating problems across the globe.

Our gut health is optimized by the trillions of bacteria and Viome’s AI learning program helps us to make sense of that information.

Viome have a new Health Intelligence Test to help you assess your Mitochondrial, Immune and Gut Health – Find Out More Here

understand what is the best option for you!Viome testWise words from Hippocrates

Wise words from Hippocrates

The Bacteria in Your Gut

The term ‘bacteria’ can often bring up images of a pesky microorganism that’s up to no good, but your gut harbors a lot of bacteria. And in the ideal situation, most of them would be good. That’s where health comes into place; proper gut health means a balance between good and bad bacteria.

How Your Gut Influences Everything

Like we mentioned, your gut has a bigger job than just absorbing nutrients because the bacteria it contains can influence immune function and hormone regulation, among other functions of your body.

Nonetheless, it always starts with a healthy gut, and the best way to ensure this is to eat the right food.

The Problem with Diets 

So, you need to eat the right things and keep your gut in optimal balance, but how do you know what to eat?

Unfortunately, looking up diets that promote ‘gut health’ on Google won’t help. The problem with diets is that they’re generalized for a large group of people, and what suits other people may not necessarily suit you.

While one person might feel fantastic on a Vegan, Keto or some other diet, someone else may feel terrible.

While just eating “real food” is the best idea, when I did my Viome test it identified two foods that I was eating a lot that were my “kryptonite” and I should be avoiding – they were cashews and blackberries (I tested in the middle of blackberry season!).

My Foods to Avoid from the Viome Results

The Best Solution? Knowing Your Gut

The best way to assess what you should be eating is to literally know what bacteria is inside your gut. Without the right testing methods and tools, this is impossible. Hence, you need to ask experts like Viome to do it for you.

The Viome Test

Viome disagrees with the concept of a one-size fits all diet for better health. That’s why they created a test that can allow them to make eating recommendations. They employ advanced equipment at the Los Alamos National lab to determine what strains of bacteria and species of organisms live in your gut.

With their powerful technology, they’re able to evaluate how active each type of bacteria is and assess whether microorganisms act on your food to produce toxins or break down nutrients into beneficial substances.

Then, their nutrition scientists deliver this critical information to an AI engine, which then recommends what exact foods your body needs to consume. Similarly, it recommends which foods you shouldn’t be eating in order to keep your gut balanced.

My Superfoods – luckily I like eating them!

What You Get With a Viome Test

It’s simple really. You need to pay for the test and Viome sends you a sampling kit that’s easy to use at home. The kit is to test your gut intelligence, and you need to send a stool sample for it. After sending your sample, you can track when it reaches the lab, and after it’s processed, you’ll start receiving personalized recommendations.

In A Nutshell (Pros vs. Cons)

So, what do you get and not get from the Viome test? Let’s go through the pros and cons.

The Pros Of Viome Test 

Starting with the pros, you’ll find that Viome offers a lot of benefits through a single and convenient service.

Personalized Recommendations

A major benefit of the Viome test, when compared to others, is that you get personalized food recommendations based on your gut health results. This means that you get daily notifications on what foods are good versus which ones you should avoid, or eat in moderation.

The researchers behind Viome know you can’t really do much with raw data unless you’re a professional who understands the role of different microorganisms in the gut. Hence, Viome recommends foods so you don’t need to take your tests to a specialist separately to understand what you need to eat.

More Value for the Price

The Viome test is available for USD 299 on the website, with the occasional promotion or special offer, so keep your eyes open if you’re waiting for a discount.

Order through the link below to get the best available price.

That aside, you get far more value at the price of a single test. While other companies offer similar testing services, few people can afford to provide customers with metatranscriptome testing due to the high cost.

Not to mention, they only provide raw data, with little to no relevant information that you can rely on. Fortunately, Viome can charge a low price of USD 299 because they’ve licensed advanced technology from the Los Alamos National Lab.

Also, Viome employs an AI database to give you recommendations, which alone can jack up the price.

Cheaper Testing During the Same Year 

After receiving your first Viome test, you’ll want to know how well your gut microbiome is doing weeks after you started following the recommendations.

Luckily, Viome offers retesting services within the same year at a reduced price. This way, you can get a retest a few months after the initial test to see how well your body is responding to diet changes, in objective terms, that is.

Of course, you can always try to notice the little changes that come when you start following a modified diet. For instance, your energy levels can rise, you’ll feel less bloated, and your immune functions will work better.

Detailed Instructions on Preparing Foods

Besides personal food recommendations, Viome gives you detailed suggestions on how you have to prepare the recommended foods. In truth, your gut’s microbiome is sensitive to any change that you make in your diet.

Hence, any changes you make to your preparation techniques or quantity can deeply impact the effect the food has on your gut.

Viome understands this, and that’s why they provide specific details as to what foods you should avoid and what you should eat in moderation because avoiding a type of food isn’t the same as consuming it in moderation.

Of course, how closely you follow recommendations and serving suggestions also influence the change you eventually experience.

Delivers Faster Results through AI

When you send your sample to Viome, it takes about a week for them to receive it, and a few more weeks’ for you to get results. (update – sometimes longer if they have had a lot of tests but I have found results are back in between 3-6 weeks)

Do note that it isn’t easy to test or measure your gut microbiome, so this impeccable speed is thanks to Viome’s use of metatranscriptome testing and an AI database that helps them make detailed food suggestions and recommendations.

An Annual Service

Since it’s an annual service rather than a monthly one that requires you to pay for consistent food suggestions, there’s a benefit:

Viome keeps improving its database and research findings, so an annual service means you gain access to even more information each year. Unlike other services that offer VIP extras, Viome makes sure that everyone gets the best of their service, and that’s cool.

So even if you do a test at the start of the year, the information that you learn from that test will continue to be updated throughout the year as the AI program is continually learning.

The Cons Of Viome Test

Where there are pros, there are some cons too. But in the case of Viome, there are hardly any.

No Personalized Coaching, Yet

As of yet, Viome doesn’t offer personalized coaching services from a professional, which can rack up the costs a lot. Right now, they employ a gene pathway scoring system and machine learning model to derive trends and patterns from data.

With the updated reports and information most people can analyze the results and implement the changes without help from a professional.

It’s Not Available Everywhere, Yet

Unfortunately, due to state regulatory reasons, the Viome test is unavailable in New York (most functional medicine testing is not available there)

It was just recently made available in Australia, and now in many parts of the world.

Viome is also available now in many parts of Europe and the U.K.

How Does It Compare To Other Gut Health Tests?

When compared to other companies that give you insider info on your gut, how does Viome match up?

The Ubiome Test

The Ubiome service is pretty similar, and their ExplorerPlus kit costs the same, but it falls short because it doesn’t offer you specific food recommendations. Hence, you’re paying the same amount without getting the same benefits.

Update – while the Ubiome test was quite good because of shady business practices they have closed down.

The Thryve Test

The Thryve test doesn’t employ a metatranscriptome testing method, and it can only test for bacteria, no other microorganisms. In addition, they don’t have a large database to compare against, so results can often turn out generalized.

American Gut

Although American Gut employs similar testing technology as Viome, they only provide customers with raw data, making it difficult to decipher. Not to mention, you don’t get any recommendations on what you should and shouldn’t be eating.

Plus, it takes their lab almost two weeks to receive your sample, after which you’ll need to wait for a couple of months to know the results. By then, your gut’s microbiome will change multiple times, rendering the results invalid.

Viome Review – The Final Verdict

In addition to home test kits for monitoring health, there are also a number of newly-developed consumer products that can help monitor endpoints of particular note. For example, a review of the EliteHRV CorSense monitor showcases how easily certain biometrics can be monitored and related to overall health maintenance.

Just know—there are plenty of devices, tests, and new therapies emerging that offer consumers a novel new approach to monitoring their health. For now, let’s keep our focus on Viome!

Viome always provides relevant research and science-based evidence to support their service and back their claims. For them, there’s always a science behind your health, and they strive to give you the best possible service, even if it means disproving their findings until they get results.

If someone has specific gut issues like IBS I would still recommend the GI-MAP test as the best place to start – this does not test for a wide range of bacteria like Viome, but it tests for the most common pathogens as well as leaky gut markers, digestive enzymes and other intestinal health indicators and this helps to target specific problems

Viome is definitely the real deal in terms of gut health tests if you are wanting to understand the “big picture” when it comes to your gut health, and with the cost of the Viome test coming down from the original $399, you’re definitely getting the best value for your money.

New – Viome Health Intelligence

Benefits-of-Viome-Health-Intelligence

Viome Health Intelligence is a brand-new testing method that measures both cellular & microbiome health.

Unlike the classic Viome test, it doesn’t only provide a classic analysis of your gut microbiome. It measures how human, mitochondrial, and microbial genes are expressed.

In other words, Viome Health Intelligence is a comprehensive testing method that helps assess:

  • Gut microbiome health
  • Gut microbiome health
  • Cellular health
  • Biological age
  • Stress response
  • Immune system health

Such a detailed analysis of your health is achieved by a combination of a blood test (Human Gene Expression) and a stool test (Gut Microbiome).

You can do both tests in the comfort of your home. The fingerprick blood collection will take just a couple of minutes, yet it gathers important data that will help create for you more precise food recommendations.

Differences between Viome Gut Intelligence and Viome Health Intelligence Services

  • Viome Gut  Intelligence: Stool test that asses your gut microbiome.
  • Viome Health Intelligence: Stool test + Blood test measuring RNA (gene expression) that helps identify connections between your human cells and the gut microbiome.

Viome-Gut-Intelligence-vs.-Viome-Health-Intelligence

If you are searching for a solution that could give you a better understanding of what’s going on not only in your gut but the entire body, Viome Health Intelligence is a great option. It may help detect possible inflammatory processes in your gut as well as in your entire body.

Viome test

Frequently Asked Questions About Viome Test

About the Author Michael

Michael is head consultant at Planet Naturopath - Functional Medicine and Nutrition Solutions. He is a registered naturopath with the Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA) and works with clients from all over the world via video or phone consultations. He is a degree qualified naturopath from the Endeavour College of Natural Medicine in Australia with 18 years of experience. He uses advanced testing methods, nutritional medicine, herbal medicine, and lifestyle advice to help you stay healthy. He is a Kalish Method-trained practitioner that keeps updating his education with Chris Kresser. Michael completed Dr. Terry Wahls practitioner training program, a 12-month program with ongoing training that helps understand the underlying cause and treatment of MS and autoimmune conditions. He keeps up to date with the latest research into health and natural medicine through the Metabolic Fitness Pro course with Dr. Bryan Walsh.

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Leave a Comment:

21 comments
Ana says August 24, 2019

As a consumer looking for product reviews, I find your $50. offer and easy access to Viome’s a conflict of interest – bias.

Reply
Chica says October 3, 2019

Another Con…
They no longer process results in a reasonable amount of time… two weeks after I sent in my sample, they sent an email saying they have a backlog due to popularity and results will take at least another 3 weeks. The website says they can process in 2 to 4 weeks sometimes it takes six… So somewhere between five and nine weeks I should have my results.

Reply
    Michael says October 3, 2019

    I am sorry to hear about the delay, I am aware of the longer wait time at present but from my experience, it will be closer to 5-6 weeks when the results are ready. Viome are working at getting the wait time to be much less again, but when you see your results then you will understand the time it takes as there is a lot of detail

    Reply
Vaughn Wright says December 29, 2019

I just requested my test kit. I live in Delaware. Does the service still not apply to residents of this state. I did not receive a rejection or notification of the contrary.

Reply
    Michael says December 29, 2019

    Yes Viome can send your test kit to Delaware – I think the only state that the test cannot be sent to is New York as they have strange state laws which means that many functional medicine tests cannot be sent there.

    Reply
Michele says February 22, 2020

Hello, I used Viome myself, before even thinking of recommending it to anyone. I really appreciated the information in the format that was easy for both myself and my Naturopathic Dr. to go through. As I am studying to be a Holistic Health Practitioner in California I wanted a way to work with Clients based on scientific data that they could understand and we could put into play immediately. This does it. Am not paid by Viome and I have no connection to them other than a client myself and now one who refers people to their site.

Yes, it tells the hard facts sometimes and yes, you may have to change your diet.. some people not much, some people a lot. But the bottom line is do you want health? With health comes vitality, peace of mind and happiness. Only you can determine if its worth it… I say yes, YOU are worth it and yes it will help you make decisions about your diet.

m

Reply
Heidi Luckenbach says March 9, 2020

Hi, Would the test vary depending on what I eat, the day I take the test? Thank you!

Reply
    Michael says March 10, 2020

    No your diet on the day of the test will not influence the results, but your diet over weeks and months leading up to the test will influence the health of your microbiome

    Reply
Carol says June 5, 2020

3 months ago i had blood tests done to check for intolerance for 220 foods. Would the test done by Viome give me the same results about what not to eat? and if not, why not? I ask because i have Hashimoto’s and psoriasis, both autoimmune diseases, but even though i have lost an unwanted 3kg and feel better in myself after avoiding the foods i showed intolerance to, neither condition has changed. I kept a food diary and my naturopath said i am eating a balanced and nutritious diet. I also had urine and saliva tests and I am taking various herbs and supplements prescribed by the naturopaths who run the program I am on. I am wondering if it would help heal the Hashimoto’s and psoriasis to also do the Viome test and maybe adjust my food intake further?

Reply
    Michael says June 8, 2020

    Hello Carol

    The Viome test will help to identify the foods to help you optimize your microbiome and also which foods to avoid and this is different an IgG food intolerance test. It is also going to assess many other markers of gut health which they discuss here https://www.viome.com/?refcode=PLANET

    Reply
Liz Morris says August 18, 2020

Second test in the same year at a lower price is a nice touch. I would certainly want to retest and find out if any changes in diet resulted in better test results. I think this fact might actually persuade me to do one of these tests. Another person I really trust seems to be recommending people do a comprehensive stool test too. And that’s Eric Bakker. Just watched his video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOspDcp1cOk) on the subject.

My only worry is whether one stool sample is sufficient to get useful results? It seems to me that a few samples from multiple days would be necessary to really get a good read on what’s going on in one’s gut. Am I wrong about that?

Reply
    Michael says August 18, 2020

    I wrote an article comparing the Viome test to the GI Map stool test https://www.planetnaturopath.com/functional-pathology-testing/gi-map-and-viome-tests/ and there are some advantages in doing the GI Map over the Viome test.
    Previously it was important to do a multi-day stool test but with advances in testing and the use of the PCR/DNA stool sampling that the GI Map test uses it is only necessary to do one sample. This is accurate and more convenient

    Reply
t says September 27, 2020

This is an obvious sponsored article by Viome. Quite annoyed I waisted my time reading this

Reply
    Michael says September 29, 2020

    The article is from my own experiences using Viome and from assessing client results – I also have an article comparing Viome with the GI Map test https://www.planetnaturopath.com/functional-pathology-testing/gi-map-and-viome-tests/ in this article I favour the GI Map test over Viome for people with gut issues and the Viome for assessing the overall balance of the microbiome

    Reply
Patti says November 16, 2020

Readers Beware – This is NOT an independent, unbiased “blog”… Don’t waste your time reading any of these questions or Michael’s answers. All his answers are vanilla and completely in support of Viome regardless of your question or issue. I too Took the viome tests along with 2 other companies and found the “other Companies” apps to be much more useful. In fact the Viome app froze on me after it updated and I was never able to get it to work again.

Reply
    Michael says November 16, 2020

    Hi Patti – I am sorry you had issues with the app, often uninstalling any app and reinstalling fixes the issue but otherwise you are best to contact Viome support.
    As for the article I am biased towards Viome because I have seen good results with clients after they have followed the diet recommendations but if you read this article https://www.planetnaturopath.com/functional-pathology-testing/gi-map-and-viome-tests/ you will see that I often recommend a different stool test for people with gut issues.
    Unfortunately, there is no “perfect” gut test but the technology has really improved in the last few years so that people can take positive action to improve their gut health and overall health.

    Reply
Heidi R. says December 10, 2020

This is my 2nd time doing Viome. I am very disappointed. They have changed their website and platform and seem only interested in selling their products. It was much easier to read and understand the first time. There is no customer support. I have tried everything to contact someone of my disappointment. No luck! Understanding the pathways is difficult and there is no one to ask a question. Very frustrating. If I do this again, I will look at another company.

Reply
    Michael says December 11, 2020

    Hello Heidi – I am sorry to hear that you have found the new format confusing. The Viome test is very comprehensive and the reports try to simplify things so that people understand the best foods and supplements for their microbiome.

    If you would like a more comprehensive explanation of the results and your overall health you can share your results with me and we can schedule a consultation to go through everything https://www.planetnaturopath.com/consulting-us/

    Reply
Seán says April 12, 2021

This isn’t available in Europe like your article mentions. All of their tests say for US Customers Only. I’m trying to find a good alternative for Europe it’s difficult to know who’s the best.

Reply
    Michael says April 12, 2021

    Where are you located in Europe, currently it is only available in some countries – Gut Intelligence Test is available in the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom
    If you were wanting to do the Viome test to find out the best foods for you to eat for your gut health then I don’t know of other alternatives, but if you wanted to do a stool test because you have gut issues then I would recommend the GI Map test which can be done anywhere in Europe, email tests@planetnaturopath.com to find out pricing for your country.

    Reply
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