You can learn a lot about your family ancestry from DNA (your genes), however, it cannot tell you much about why you are experiencing the symptoms you feel right now. DNA remains the same throughout your life which is why food recommendations based on DNA will never change, even if you gain weight or begin to develop a health condition. If your DNA never changes, what changes as you become sick? The answer is your RNA, or “gene expression”. Viome analyzes gene expressions from your microbial and human cells in order to provide you with insights and food and supplements recommendations that will help bring your body back into balance, help you feel better, and keep you healthy.

All microbiome testing companies, outside Viome, are focused on microbial DNA and can tell you what organisms are in your gut, but they cannot tell you what these organisms are actually doing inside of your body, or if they are even dead or alive. For example, the same organism can be beneficial in one person and harmful in another, depending on that individual’s unique gut ecosystem. 

Viome uses metatranscriptomics and sequences the complete ‘transcriptome’ or RNA of each person’s entire microbial community. This allows us to see who is present and alive, and what they are doing (producing harmful toxins or producing beneficial nutrients). This is very different from other gut tests that use ‘metagenomics’ that examine microbial DNA. By looking at functional expressed genes, Viome’s technology is able to determine how various communities may be acting inside of your unique gut ecosystem. 

Quiz-based recommendations are often based on generic information like your age, sex, weight, lifestyle, and health goals. It’s easy to want to believe that there’s one diet or supplement out there that can solve all of your problems, but in reality, when it comes to your body’s unique biochemistry, it takes fine-tuning and precise variation. Viome believes the only way to understand what food and supplements you should be consuming is to consult your body. In many instances, eating the wrong “healthy” foods or supplements can, at best, be expensive and underdeliver what they promise. At worst, they can do more harm than good. 

• Food sensitivity tests are simply measuring antibodies to foods. Foods that show up on your food sensitivity test results may actually be good for you in reality. However, an antibody to that specific food often shows up when you are eating a lot of that food and suffering from a leaky gut. A leaky gut happens when there is damage to the lining of the gut making it more permeable to substances that should not go into your blood, triggering your immune system to make antibodies in response to those substances. Food sensitivity reactions are Immunoglobulins A (IgA), M (IgM), and G (IgG)-mediated immune system responses causing inflammation of the gastrointestinal lining with symptom onset occurring up to 48-72 hours after trigger exposure. 

• Allergic reactions are immediate immune system responses mediated by Immunoglobulin E (IgE) and can be life-threatening. Viome does not test for IgE which often results in anaphylactic reactions. Food allergies should be overseen and managed by an experienced physician.