Viome Reviews: The Truth Behind Gut Health Testing

Did you know that gut health plays a critical role in not only digestion but is also involved in the immune system function, mental wellness, and is even linked to lower occurrence of certain types of cancer? A healthy gut is one of the core aspects of overall wellness, and you should ensure that it stays in good shape.

This is where Viome Life Sciences comes in, offering a detailed look at your gut microbiome and cellular health. In this article dedicated to Viome reviews, we will explore the company, its mission, and products.

Discover how Viome's state-of-the-art technology can help find out your gut health status and enhance your overall health.

What is Viome?

Founded in 2016 by Naveen Jain, a well-known entrepreneur and philanthropist, Viome Life Sciences is now one of the leading health technology companies focusing on advancing personalized wellness through AI-powered cellular health and microbiome tests, as well as conducting clinical trials for understanding and managing chronic diseases.

Viome's gut microbiome test employs a unique approach utilizing metatranscriptomics technology. Analyzing the mRNA of gut bacteria allows to assess bacterial gene expression which, together with Viome’s AI algorithm, provides thorough health scores and information on possible impact on overall well-being. Unlike other similar companies relying only on blood tests for assessment, this one includes 3 test types — saliva, blood, and stool samples.

The company owns 4 test kits — Full Body Intelligence™ test, Gut Intelligence™ test, Oral Health Intelligence™ test, and CancerDetect® Oral & Throat test. Viome’s tests

help with creating personalized diet and supplement routine recommendations for supporting and improving an individual's gut microbiome with the aim to benefit overall health or aid people with specific health concerns.

In this Viome review article, we will be exploring the Gut Intelligence™ test by the provider to understand why it may be a valuable product for you.

A quick review of the Viome Gut Intelligence™ test

Viome Gut Intelligence™ is a convenient at-home testing kit designed for individuals seeking science-backed tools to gain insights into their gut microbiota and gut health. Unlike traditional tests, this metatranscriptomic-based test analyzes RNA instead of DNA, providing detailed gut health scores and personalized nutrition recommendations.

While other tests by the brand provide insights into oral and throat health or biological age, the Viome Gut Intelligence™ test is specifically designed for assessing metabolic health. By collecting stool sample at home and sending them to Viome’s CLIA-certified labs, you can receive over 20 detailed gut health scores from just one comprehensive test.

Once your Viome testing results are ready, you can access them through the brand’s dedicated app or by logging into your account on the Viome website. Instead of plain test results, you will also receive personalized food recommendations detailing what you should avoid, consume more of, or limit.

The Viome gut microbiome test may help identify beneficial and potentially harmful bacteria in your intestine. But it doesn’t end there; you’ll also receive suggestions for obtaining your Viome's Precision Supplements. These are custom-formulated supplements containing specific prebiotics and probiotics tailored to your unique needs, which may help balance your gut bacteria and improve digestive health.

Although this test from Viome is not FDA-approved, it was developed in close collaboration with world-class gastroenterologists and nutritionists to maintain scientific rigor. With the expertise of certified artificial intelligence professionals, the brand uses your gut health scores to enhance future integration with machine learning for advanced results.

The Viome Gut Intelligence™ test is available for a one-time purchase of $279. For ongoing maintenance, Viome recommends conducting these gut microbiome tests every 4–6 months to record improvements following the previous tests.

Thus, you can subscribe to receive monthly deliveries of the retest kit and Precision Pre + Probiotic supplements, with subscriptions costing $79.95 per month. The Gut Intelligence™ test is also HSA/FSA-eligible.

What is included in the Viome test, and how to use it?

Once you receive your neatly packed box of Viome Gut Intelligence™ test, you can find the following items inside:

• Envelope with necessary items and usage steps
• A vial for stool collection
• A scoop
• Measuring tape
• Two types of toilet seat tapes for stool collection
• Transfer bags
• A biohazard-labeled rigid safety bag
• Prepackaged label for mail

How to use Viome's Gut Intelligence™ test?

Viome microbiome test is an easy-to-use kit that includes the following simple steps upon receiving your order:

1. Download the Viome app
2. Register your kit via the QR code on the box
3. Complete the Viome questionnaire on the app

The sample collection consists of these steps:

1. Attach the suitable stool collection tape on the toilet seat
2. Deposit the stool on the paper
3. Put one scoop of the stool into the vial
4. Shake the vial for 30 seconds, let it rest for 30 seconds, and repeat this 2 times
5. Insert the vial into the rigid safety bag and seal it
6. Put the bag into the prepaid envelope and ship the stool sample within 24 hours

According to the provider, you will receive your test results in 2–3 weeks available to read on the app or web account.

Pros and cons of Viome's Gut Intelligence™ test

How and why we chose to review Viome tests

Viome’s tests are popular among health-conscious individuals looking to take control of their digestive health. Given the interest in Viome Life Sciences, we decided to explore the quality and scientific approach of their test kits. Our review delves into their use of artificial intelligence for analyzing gene expression data, as well as the impact of healthy foods on gut health scores.

Our methodology for reviewing Viome includes:

• Analyzing customer reviews
• Review of scientific evidence
• Comparison of other products

We have considered factors that add to the quality of the product:

How much do Viome tests cost, and where to buy them?

You can order your Viome test kits from the brand’s official website or their Amazon store. Here are the available products and their prices, including subscription options:

Test kit	One-time order price	Price with subscription
Gut Intelligence™ test	$279	$79.95
Full Body Intelligence™ test	$399	$199
Oral Health Intelligence™ Test	$259	-
CancerDetect test for Oral & Throat Cancer	$599	-

All the orders within the U.S. are free of charge. Additionally, Viome has partnered with TrueMed, allowing you to use your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) pre-tax dollars at checkout and save up to 40% on your orders.

Viome effectiveness and safety

The effectiveness of Viome's testing approach can be seen in the personalized probiotics and prebiotics they recommend based on your test results. According to the provider and user reports, after following the personalized food and supplement recommendations, you may see some digestive health improvements, increased energy levels, and overall well-being.

Customer privacy and safety are another integral part of Viome tests and services. Viome test kits are designed to be noninvasive and easy to use, typically requiring simple saliva, blood, and stool samples for analysis. As per the provider, the materials included in the test boxes are sterile and meet safety standards.

Viome guarantees customer privacy by adhering to strict protocols for protecting personal data. The company states it uses secure encryption methods to safeguard user information on its website or mobile app, that is, customer names, test results, addresses, and others.

Note that as Viome aims to constantly advance the science in human gut microbiome, analysis of gene expression, and health conditions, they may ask your consent to use your test results in their research studies, ensuring to maintain your identity confidential. Moreover, the company takes the responsibility of not selling your data to third-parties, unless legally required to do so.

The science behind Viome Gut Intelligence™ test

For the Gut Intelligence™ test, Viome utilizes an mRNA testing and analysis methods called metatranscriptomics instead of microbial DNA testing. Metatranscriptomics analyzes messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules to explore the microbiome's expression of genetic information.

This approach not only identifies bacterial species but also reveals the function of proteins they may be producing. For example, if mRNA encoding information to make inflammation-related proteins is abundant, it may indicate that microbial species present in the gut may contribute to inflammation.

In the case of the Viome Gut Intelligence™ test, mRNA molecules are extracted from human stool samples to analyze microbial gene expression and compare the results with the data library to identify the function of mRNAs and their potential roles in various aspects of gut health.

Furthermore, this dataset can be compared with existing datasets to identify correlations with health or disease, potentially offering valuable recommendations. Yet, the validity of these recommendations may not be entirely clinically evaluated, as research is still emerging.

Scientific validity of gut microbiome testing

Previously, gut microbiome testing focused primarily on identifying pathogens linked to disease or infection, assessing whether specific symptoms were accompanied by the presence of suspected pathogens to guide treatment. Recently, with new testing technologies available, microbiome testing has become easier and more comprehensive.

The gut microbiome is an emerging field, with much of the current research still in its early stages and lacking firm clinical implications. The primary scientific goal of microbiome testing is to identify microbial species that are more prevalent in specific health conditions (such as diabetes and gut-related disorders) and those that are more common in healthy individuals.

A meta-analysis of microbiome testing trials in individuals with diabetes, diabetic kidney disease (DKD), non-diabetic kidney disease, and healthy individuals revealed that DKD may be characterized by increased Hungatella spp. and Escherichia spp. and decreased butyrate-producing bacteria, potentially linked to the development of DKD.

Another meta-analysis of microbiome data in healthy individuals and those with cardiovascular disease (CVD) revealed that people with CVD have increased Streptococcus spp. and Proteobacteria spp. and decreased Faecalibacterium spp., indicating significant bacterial changes that may impact cardiovascular health.

What users are saying about Viome's Gut Intelligence™ test

Amazon — 3.8 ⭐⭐⭐
Trustpilot — 2.8 ⭐⭐

We have analyzed customer feedback on reliable review platforms and testimonials from Viome's official website to provide real-life examples of both success stories and negative experiences with the brand and its products.

What people liked

Many users reported positive outcomes after using Viome's services, noting improvements in weight control, energy levels, and overall gut health. Customers praised the personalized food recommendations, which helped them identify and avoid ones causing digestive issues.

Users found the test results insightful, helping them achieve better sleep, reduced inflammation, and enhanced emotional stability.

Customers highlighted the simplicity and clear instructions of the testing process, along with the detailed results. The thoroughness of Viome's analysis impressed many, including healthcare professionals. Users valued the company's customer service and found it responsive and helpful.

What people didn't like

For some users, the sample collection process is often complicated, with defective materials and confusing app questions. Long wait times for results, sometimes extending to months, exacerbate this frustration.

Users frequently report poor customer support, encountering unhelpful and slow responses. For some customers, the results themselves are sometimes viewed as generic. The high costs of recommended supplements and difficulties in managing subscriptions add to the dissatisfaction.

Environmental concerns arise among some users from excessive packaging and unnecessary shipping practices. International customers face additional hurdles, such as higher shipping costs.

Viome vs. other gut health tests

Brand	Sample collection	Available test kits	Personalized food recommendations	Custom supplements	Processing time	App	Refund policy	Availability	Consultation with healthcare provider
Viome	Stool, saliva, and blood samples	4	Yes	Yes	2–3 weeks	Yes	Limited, 14 days	Limited	No
Everlywell	Stool, urine, saliva, blood samples	28	Yes	No	Up to 1 week	Yes	No refund policy	Not available, U.S. only	Yes
Floré	Stool	2	No	Yes	1–3 weeks	Yes	30 days	Limited	Yes
BIOHM	Stool	1	Yes	No	3–4 weeks	No	60 days	Not available, U.S. only	Yes

What is the difference between Viome and Everlywell?

Viome and Everlywell are both companies in the at-home health testing market, but they have a distinct focus.

Everlywell utilizes standard lab testing methods to provide results. Depending on the test type, the customers should collect and send blood, saliva, urine, or stool samples for in-depth analysis.

Viome, in contrast, uses more advanced gut and oral microbiome testing methods — metatranscriptomic based on mRNA analysis — centering on the use of artificial intelligence to interpret complex microbiome information and offer actionable insights.

Everlywell offers 28 test types, compared to Viome's 4 types only. Everlywell offers a broad range of health and wellness tests, including food sensitivity, hormones, and vitamin levels, aimed at empowering individuals to manage their health with accessible and affordable testing.

Viome does not include direct consultations with healthcare providers, but they provide comprehensive reports and recommendations that users can discuss with their healthcare professionals. Everlywell offers some tests with follow-up consultation options, allowing users to talk with healthcare professionals about their results and next steps.Finally, Everlywell tests and supplements are sold at comparably lower prices than Viome.

Final verdict: is Viome worth it?

Finalizing this review, we can say that Viome may be a valuable gut microbiome testing tool for people looking for convenient at-home options for taking control of their gut health.

Viome is significant for its approach to gut microbiome testing, which utilizes a more advanced method that is science-backed compared to the traditional testing methods of competitors. The company's reputation is upheld by renowned scientists and AI experts who contribute to the development and accuracy of its tests.

Although the price of tests may be comparably higher than similar products on the market, health-conscious people can invest in Viome to get personalized diet and supplement recommendations and custom-made formulas for improving overall health.