Viome, a company that sells at-home health tests and supplements, recently sent me a "tiny poop hammock" – a small stool sample container with a paper hammock attached to it. The idea is to collect my stool sample in the morning before eating or drinking anything, then fill four minivettes from the sample with blood drops, and mail them off to Viome for analysis.
For $300 to $400, I could get a comprehensive health test that includes saliva, blood, and stool samples, as well as a personalized report outlining my metabolic activity, gut health, inflammation levels, and more. Sounds too good to be true? Maybe.
The results of the test were alarming, with scores indicating excessive gas production, high microbial toxin production, increased gut lining permeability, poor nutrient absorption, and more. Viome claims to have developed a proprietary RNA sequencing method that can identify the health issues based on my stool sample, but I was skeptical about the validity of the test.
The report itself was confusing, with little transparency behind the "health scores" and detailed recommendations for supplements and dietary changes. There were 25 scores labeled as "Maintain," 47 as "Improve," and none rated "Attention." However, without any numbers or explanations to back up these claims, it was hard to trust them.
The report also included a list of 105 different bacterial strains present in my stool sample, but without any information on relative abundance or which might be associated with specific health outcomes. This lack of clarity left me wondering what exactly I had discovered about myself.
Viome's supplement line is also pricey, with personalized formulas starting at $1.67 per day and recommended for life. While the company claims its method is more accurate than other home tests on the market, critics argue that it's just a commercial ploy to sell expensive supplements.
As someone who values transparency and evidence-based recommendations, I was disappointed by Viome's approach. The lack of standardization in at-home health testing, combined with the company's emphasis on selling supplements, raises concerns about the validity and safety of these tests.
In an interview with clinical nutritionist Alyson Roux, CNS, LDN, she expressed similar concerns, pointing out that there are many hazards associated with restrictive diets and the potential for "food intolerances" to develop. She also noted that Viome's method relies on proprietary RNA sequencing technology, which has been reviewed and adopted by biopharma companies and research institutions.
Ultimately, while I appreciate Viome's enthusiasm for helping people find health solutions, I'm not convinced by its approach. As with any health test or supplement regimen, it's essential to take a step back, consult with medical professionals, and carefully consider the science behind any recommendations before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.
So, will you be taking the tiny poop hammock for a spin? Or are you sticking to tried-and-true methods for maintaining good health?
For $300 to $400, I could get a comprehensive health test that includes saliva, blood, and stool samples, as well as a personalized report outlining my metabolic activity, gut health, inflammation levels, and more. Sounds too good to be true? Maybe.
The results of the test were alarming, with scores indicating excessive gas production, high microbial toxin production, increased gut lining permeability, poor nutrient absorption, and more. Viome claims to have developed a proprietary RNA sequencing method that can identify the health issues based on my stool sample, but I was skeptical about the validity of the test.
The report itself was confusing, with little transparency behind the "health scores" and detailed recommendations for supplements and dietary changes. There were 25 scores labeled as "Maintain," 47 as "Improve," and none rated "Attention." However, without any numbers or explanations to back up these claims, it was hard to trust them.
The report also included a list of 105 different bacterial strains present in my stool sample, but without any information on relative abundance or which might be associated with specific health outcomes. This lack of clarity left me wondering what exactly I had discovered about myself.
Viome's supplement line is also pricey, with personalized formulas starting at $1.67 per day and recommended for life. While the company claims its method is more accurate than other home tests on the market, critics argue that it's just a commercial ploy to sell expensive supplements.
As someone who values transparency and evidence-based recommendations, I was disappointed by Viome's approach. The lack of standardization in at-home health testing, combined with the company's emphasis on selling supplements, raises concerns about the validity and safety of these tests.
In an interview with clinical nutritionist Alyson Roux, CNS, LDN, she expressed similar concerns, pointing out that there are many hazards associated with restrictive diets and the potential for "food intolerances" to develop. She also noted that Viome's method relies on proprietary RNA sequencing technology, which has been reviewed and adopted by biopharma companies and research institutions.
Ultimately, while I appreciate Viome's enthusiasm for helping people find health solutions, I'm not convinced by its approach. As with any health test or supplement regimen, it's essential to take a step back, consult with medical professionals, and carefully consider the science behind any recommendations before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.
So, will you be taking the tiny poop hammock for a spin? Or are you sticking to tried-and-true methods for maintaining good health?
? I was watching this old episode of Stranger Things the other day and they were all walking around in the woods collecting weird berries for their ritual... sounds kinda like Viome's "tiny poop hammock" thing, right? But seriously though, have you ever noticed how some companies can just make these complex tests sound super appealing with a cute little stool sample container 
? And don't even get me started on those supplement prices... $1.67 per day is crazy talk 
! As for me, I'm good sticking to my tried-and-true methods of eating pizza and playing video games 
.
viome sounds like a total scam to me! $300-$400 for some random stool test and supplement plan? no thanks 
the fact that they're not transparent about their methodology or scores is super sketchy. and 105 bacterial strains in your stool sample? what does that even mean?? 
. I mean, who comes up with sending a stool sample in a tiny hammock? Sounds like something out of a comedy sketch 
. And $300-$400? That's just crazy talk 
.
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. At least with those, I know what I'm getting and it's not some sketchy company trying to make a quick buck off my poor gut 
. The fact that they're selling supplements on top of their test results just reeks of profiting off people's desperation to feel better. And don't even get me started on the lack of transparency - who needs 105 different bacterial strains in their stool sample?! It sounds like a recipe for disaster, you know? 
. But hey, if Viome can convince some people that their tiny poop hammock is the answer to all their health problems, more power to 'em 
!
like seriously what's with the proprietary RNA sequencing tech? shouldn't there be some standardization in place? and those supplement prices? ugh that's just crazy