Everything You Need to Know About What Viome Tests For

What does the Viome test for that ordinary microbiome tests might miss? Unlike DNA-based tests, the Viome approach not only reveals the type of microbes but also their activities, in ways that translate into a roadmap for a healthier gut and body.

In the following sections, we'll break down how this test works, what it measures, and how its insights help you make more informed decisions about your diet and lifestyle.

What Is Viome and How It Works

Viome is a personalized health company that analyzes your gut microbiome to provide tailored food recommendations and custom supplements for improving gut health (and subsequently, your overall well-being).

• They translate your sample into health scores through advanced RNA sequencing and then turn those health scores into recommendations and supplement formulas.
• Their vision is a world where illness is optional, where the future of healthcare is not in hospitals but in the comfort of your own home.
• They aim to demystify nutrition, address the root causes of related health problems, and offer evidence-based, actionable solutions.

What Does Viome Test For?

Remember the health scores mentioned earlier? Viome's test evaluates over 20 of them, so you have a clear idea of your gut's strengths and weaknesses. Some of the key factors that Viome measures include:

• Microbiome composition: Identifying and quantifying what type of microbes are present in your gut while determining their activities.
• Digestive efficiency: How the microbes related to digestion function when it comes to gut motility and breaking down nutrients.
• Gut lining health: How healthy is your gut lining, as well as the mucosal layer protecting it, which prevents harmful substances and bacteria from leaking into your bloodstream?
• Inflammation markers: Insights about the sources of inflammation, like LPS levels, irritating byproducts (gas), and microbes that cause harm when overactive.
• Metabolic fitness: Microbial organisms and functions linked to your blood sugar, insulin resistance, and weight management.
• Additionally, there are other factors, such as protein fermentation, microbiome-induced stress, and gas production, among others.

Why Knowing This Information Is Important

Viome provides you with microbiome profile scores, functional scores, and pathway activities. But why is this data important? These results provide personalized insights into your unique gut microbiome and its active functions, which are deeply connected to your overall health.

They can help you to:

• Improve digestion (especially disorders like IBS or IBD) and nutrient absorption
• Boost your immune system and control inflammation in your body
• Manage or prevent chronic diseases related to gut health, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic issues
• Support your mental health and conditions like depression and anxiety

Factors That Affect Gut Health

Genetics, age, birth, and feeding methods aside, there are several factors affecting your gut health and microbiota, including:

• Diet: A high intake of processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats, combined with a low intake of fibre-rich and probiotic-rich foods, is detrimental to gut balance.
• Medications: Antibiotics (for the most part), as well as NSAIDs and PPIs, disrupt your gut microbiome by killing both harmful and beneficial bacteria.
• Stress: When you're stressed, your body releases hormones and chemicals that shrink beneficial bacteria and increase the harmful ones.
• Lifestyle factors, including smoking, drinking alcohol, a lack of physical activity, and poor sleep habits, all contribute to gut dysbiosis (imbalance in the microbiota's composition and function; read more about dysbiosis here).

At UpDiet, we provide a meal plan tailored to your unique biology, lifestyle, and goals. Our plans incorporate gut microbiome or DNA test results as well, making them fully personalized and adaptable as your needs and goals evolve.

How to Use Viome Test Results to Improve Your Health

Viome's food recommendations and health scores are the key to better energy, mood, and digestion. These results are action steps, and you can use them to:

• Refine your diet. Incorporate "Enjoy" and "Super" food categories, while being mindful about "Minimize" and "Avoid" foods for a happier get.
• Choose the right supplements. Take targeted probiotics, prebiotics, or nutrients. You can also use Viome's custom supplements, which are personalized to your results.
• Tackle inflammation. Identify and reduce foods or microbes that trigger inflammatory responses in your body.
• Monitor your body. Pay attention to how your body reacts to these changes, and track your progress regarding improvements in digestion, energy levels, or other health markers, and consider re-test(s) if needed.

Key Benefits of Taking a Viome Test

Viome test results provide insights into your body's unique microbial and cellular activity, increasing your long-term wellness and quality of life through:

• Improved digestion: From efficient food breakdown to nutrient absorption, smooth bowel movements, and a robust intestinal lining, your digestive system will function optimally, supporting overall gut health.
• Personalized nutrition. The results guide your diet by identifying which foods are beneficial or detrimental to your biology. Digestive benefits aside, custom food lists also help manage blood sugar and achieve weight goals.
• Early warning signs: This test can detect molecular-level imbalances that indicate potential health issues (like leaky gut) before they become more serious.
• Better immunity: Test scores reveal immune imbalances (over- or under-reacting), while tailored guidance targets root causes, such as inflammation and gut microbes, to foster a more resilient immune system.
• Symptom insights: For individuals experiencing common symptoms such as gas, bloating, fatigue, or brain fog, the results can reveal microbial issues contributing to these problems.

Final Thoughts: Taking Control of Your Gut Health

Whether you choose Viome or similar tests, you'll know exactly where your body is out of balance. The results pinpoint weak links, but the real work is in applying what you learn, one habit at a time. Start small, stay consistent, and let the changes speak for themselves.