What This Post Is About
In this post, I share my personal experience retesting my gut health using Viome’s new test kit, which now includes stool, blood, and saliva analysis. I explain what led me to retest, what gut health really means for overall well-being, and what the Viome gut test revealed about my unique food sensitivities. If you’re curious about personalized nutrition or struggling with bloating, this post is for you.
1. My First Test with Viome
A few years ago, I took my first Viome gut test out of curiosity. I found out, among other foods, that oats and garlic, two things I thought were “healthy”, were not great for my gut. But I didn’t change my nutrition at that time, I just tucked that info away, kept eating what I was used to, and moved on.
2. Why I Took the Test Again
Lately, I could feel something was off. I eat plant-based, exercise, and care about my health… but I knew I could be doing better. My digestion wasn’t always smooth. Some meals left me bloated or foggy. I started wondering: What if I’m still eating the wrong foods for my body?
If my goal is to thrive, not just survive, I knew I needed to take my gut health seriously. After all, everything starts in the gut: energy, mood, immune function, metabolism, even how we age.
3. What Gut Health Really Means
Gut health isn’t just about digestion. It’s about inflammation, immunity, aging, mental clarity, and even weight. According to The Everything Guide to Gut Health, your gut microbiome helps regulate:
- Nutrient absorption
- Hormone balance
- Detoxification
- Energy production
- Inflammation
When your gut is inflamed, the rest of your body pays the price. You can feel tired, bloated, moody, or constantly hungry. Over time, this can lead to hormone imbalances, skin issues, or chronic illness.
Other books and articles also support this idea: fitness and plant-based eating are powerful, but only if your gut is on board.
4. How Viome Works (and What I Did)
This time around, Viome sent me an expanded kit that included testing for:
- Stool (microbiome activity),
- Saliva (oral health + stress responses),
- Blood (inflammation + immune responses).
I ordered the test online, received the kit at home, followed the simple instructions, and sent it back. In a few weeks, I got my personalized results.
5. What My Results Revealed
Let me be real: the results surprised me.
Foods I used to eat daily, like broccoli, cauliflower, tofu, beans, lentils, tomatoes, hemp seeds, and even sweet potatoes, were flagged for minimization or avoidance.
That hit hard. These foods are staples in a typical plant-based diet and mine. But for my body? Right now? They’re causing inflammation and digestive issues.
I also saw that some of my gut bacteria were overactive, while others were underactive. My oral microbiome needed balancing, and there were signs of metabolic stress and inflammation.
6. What I’m Doing With This Info
I’m taking this second round seriously.
I’ve started eliminating or minimizing the foods Viome flagged. And honestly? It’s tough. I’ve had to rethink a lot of my go-to meals.
But here’s the truth: when I follow their recommendations, I feel lighter, less bloated, and more energized. The difference is clear.
Every time I return to my old habits, the discomfort creeps back in, especially the gas and digestive sluggishness. So, as of today (June 6th, 2025), I’m fully committed to honoring my gut and building my meals around what helps me feel my best.
7. What I Recommend to You
If you care about your energy, fitness, and mood, take your gut seriously. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about finding what works for your body.
We’re all different. What’s “healthy” for one person might be a source of stress for another. That’s why I believe every woman (especially if you’re a busy mom like me!) deserves to know what’s really going on in her gut.
Viome made that easy for me, and I believe it can help you too.
👉 Here’s the link to try Viome gut test for yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Viome test legitimate?
Yes, the Viome test is a legitimate and science-backed service. It uses RNA sequencing to analyze how your gut microbiome is functioning, which is more advanced than traditional DNA testing. Viome partners with leading research institutions and has an FDA breakthrough device designation for some of its technology. That said, it’s not a diagnostic medical test, but it gives helpful insights for improving diet and lifestyle.
Are gut microbiome tests worth it?
If you’re struggling with digestion, bloating, low energy, or food sensitivities, yes, a gut test like Viome can be worth it. It helps you understand what’s happening in your body at a deeper level and gives personalized food and supplement recommendations. The key is actually to apply the results. If you’re ready to adjust your habits, it can be a game-changer for your long-term health.
What does a Viome gut test tell you?
The Viome gut test tells you how well your gut microbiome is functioning, including digestion, inflammation, immunity, and how your microbes interact with food. It gives you a list of foods to enjoy, minimize, or avoid based on your biology. You’ll also get scores for things like gas production, metabolic health, gut lining health, and energy production. If you do the full-body test (like I did), it includes saliva and blood analysis too.
Does Viome test for parasites?
No, Viome does not test for parasites. It focuses on gut microbiome activity and cellular health, not specific pathogens like parasites, viruses, or bacterial infections. If you suspect a parasitic infection, you should talk to your healthcare provider or functional medicine doctor for specific diagnostic testing.
