Approximately 40 percent of the American population is dealing with a chronic illness of some sort. Chronic illness can include issues with pain, inflammation, arthritis, seizures, brain disorders, nervous system disorders and so much more. Finding someone to help diagnose and treat these issues can be a challenge. Luckily, there are products and health tests that you can use at home to help you understand your body more.
Did you know that your gut health affects many different functions and systems in our body? If our microbiome isn’t balanced properly, we can experience all kind of health issues. Learning how to test your gut health is the first step in your journey for having a healthy gut.
You can find out what kind of bacteria, microbes and fungus is living inside of your gut by utilizing an at-home gut health test. Your sample will be assessed by a knowledgeable professional, and you’ll gain valuable information regarding your health. You will also find out what foods you should be avoiding, what you should be eating and the kinds of supplements that will benefit your gut health.
Two gut health tests that I want to compare today include Floré and Viome. They’re both very reputable tests that have provided many users with insightful results. Let’s take a closer look so you can decide which testing option is better for your situation.
Comparison Table Summary of Viome vs Floré
| Vs. | Floré | Viome |
| Price: | ||
| Amount of People Tested: | Over 10,000 | Over 100,000 |
| Scans over 23,000 Microbes | ✔ | ✔ |
| Offers Personalized Supplements: | ✔ | ✔ |
| Results Timeline | 3-5 Weeks | 2-5 Weeks |
| Sample Type | Stool | Stool and Blood |
| GW Rating: | 4.5/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Official Website | flore.com | viome.com |
Overview of Floré
Created in 2016, Floré offers a Complete Gut Microflora Test. kit that can be conveniently and comfortably used from the privacy of your home. Their affordable test kits provide accurate results that give you insight into what your microbiome looks like. The results are detected using a whole genome sequencing system that looks for 23,000 different microbes. Your information is securely communicated to you through the Floré app. You’ll be given five different scores regarding your gut health, and you’ll learn more about how you can improve upon the current condition of your gut.
In addition to learning about the foods that you should be eating and what you should avoid, you’ll also have access to personalized probiotic products from Floré. These probiotics will help increase nutrient absorption and help you to replace any missing healthy bacteria that should be present in your gut.
Types of Gut Health Tests
Age-Specific
Floré offers a basic Complete Gut Microflora Test kit, and the results that you get from that test can be used to purchase a specific probiotic supplement based on age. There are products for adults, babies, tots and toddlers. The probiotics that you find in your grocery store or local health food store tend to be geared towards adults or children. Having different options available for all of the members in your family is great. There is even a Research Edition test that can be used for people on the autistic spectrum to gain valuable information that can make a big difference in a person’s life and to the world as a whole.
Gut Health Supplements Prebiotics and Probiotics
Depending on the product that you choose, Floré’s prebiotic and probiotic supplements are tailored to provide your body with what it needs according to your microflora test results. A unique formula is made just for you. A one-pill-a-day dose can help with digestive issues, mental health, inflammation, pain and so much more.
Pros
- An easy-to-use test kit that provides you with fast results
- Personalized food recommendations are part of your results
- Prebiotic and probiotic supplements are personalized for you, and you can purchase them right through Floré
- An affordable kit and supplement source
- Tailored to different age groups for a more personalized approach to gut health
Cons
- Some of your information may not be as accurate as you would hope. Your results include dead organisms that are in your gut
- There are some tests that provide you with more information regarding your microbiome
Main Benefit Going with Floré
I like that Flore has a multitude of products available for different age groups. Kids can deal with a number of health issues because of what’s going on in their gut, so it’s nice to have access to a product that can provide information for the whole family. Not to mention, everyone has access to their own personalized supplement.
Overview of Viome
Viome is a gut health test company in Washington state that has been around since 2016 as well. Their gut health tests will take a close look at your microbiome to paint you an accurate picture about what’s going on with your entire body. You’ll learn about how the foods you eat are affecting your health, what foods you should be increasing and what you should completely stay away from.
The Viome gut health tests are completed using a process of analyzing microbes and mRNA in each specific sample. Your data is compared to a centralized database to provide you with your results.
Types of Gut Health Tests
Gut Intelligence Test
Viome offers a Gut Intelligence Test that uses your data to provide you with helpful insight into your health by way of nutritional recommendations and supplement information. This test focuses a lot more on your gut health, whereas their Health Intelligence Test provides you with a little bit different informational result.
Health Intelligence Test
The Health Intelligence test by Viome provides you with similar gut health test results, as well as very detailed food and probiotic recommendations. You’ll learn more about how your gut health is affecting your entire body, and your recommendations take into account your data and personal information.
Pros
- Viome tests are very easy to complete, and you can expect your results in about three weeks after the company has received your sample
- You receive personalized results that are based off your gut health
- You receive updated information throughout the process through the Viome website
Cons
- You will have to provide a blood sample and / or stool sample
- The supplement subscription is a bit expensive, but you are getting personalized products
Main Benefit Going with Viome
I feel like Viome provides you with a more comprehensive health assessment that is based off of the gut health results that the company provides. You feel like you’re getting a very personalized report, rather than something that could be sent to everyone that completes the test.
From the perspective of a dietician, I like the fact that you get nutritional guidance in addition to supplement recommendations. How you eat directly affects your gut health, so it’s helpful to know what changes you should make moving forward.
Comparing Pricing
Viome has much lower price points compared to Floré. However, you have to take into account the type of process that is used to determine your results, the types of products that you will have access to after your results have been determined and the thoroughness of your results.
The basic Floré gut health test kit is $169 compared to $79 for Viome.
Comparing Gut Test Accuracy
The Viome Gut Health Intelligence kit and the Floré Gut Health Test kit detect different microbes that are located in your gut. This can include bacteria, fungus, parasites, yeast and viruses. Floré utilizes a very thorough genome sequencing process that can spot as many as 23,000 different microbes in your gut through DNA sequencing.
Comparing Personalized Supplement Plan
Floré’s supplement plan is convenient because you can order your entire family’s products through the company. Each product is personalized and recommended based on your test results. While Floré is a bit more expensive, it’s nice to feel like you’re getting a very specific product that is geared towards your health issues or gut health.
Viome also offers a few different supplement options through their subscription service. The price varies quite a bit, so you can purchase your products based on your budget.
The Main Difference between VIOME Vs. Floré
There are some key differences between the Viome gut health tests versus what Floré has to offer. Ideally, you’ll want to consider what you’re trying to accomplish with the process of testing your gut health. Both tests provide different results, so think about what you want to find out from the process.
I would say that the main difference between these products is their price, but you often get what you pay for when it comes to these types of products and tests.
Which Gut Test Is Better: Floré or Viome?
Both of these companies provide you with the opportunity to test your gut health from the comfort of your home. The testing process is generally the same for both companies, but Viome uses a very specific metatranscriptomic sequencing system that provides very accurate results. They also offer personalized supplements that are sent to your door. This is not to discount Floré, which is another great gut health test program that many people have used with success.
Final Thoughts
There are so many people out there that deal with chronic disease, persistent digestive issues, food intolerances and much more. While there are some great products out there that can help a person live a healthier life overall, it’s not always clear which of these supplements you should be taking. Trial and error aren’t a great idea. You can end up doing a lot more harm than good. Having some solid data to form your plan off of is ideal.
Both Floré and Viome are gut health test companies that provide you with some degree of insight into what’s going on within your body. Your microbiome affects how you feel each day, so it’s beneficial to invest in this part of your health. A gut health test is a fantastic place to start. Once your know what is going on in your gut, you can follow the recommendations provided to you in regard to dietary changes and supplements that you should be taking.
Tips for Success from the RD
In addition to purchasing a gut health test kit, there are many changes that you can make to your lifestyle to help maintain a healthier gut. I’d like to share some of my tips with you.
- Restoring your health gut bacteria can help with digestion, immune function and so much more. You can do this by increasing the number of healthy fruits and veggies you eat, along with incorporating fermented foods and probiotics into your diet.
- Exercise plays a big role in how well your digestive system is working. Strive to get some sort of physical activity each day, whether you go for a walk, ride your bike or do some yoga.
- Reducing the amount of refined sugar that you consume will help boost your gut health. Sugar can cause your digestive system to slow down, and you may experience more inflammation in the body when you’re eating a lot of sugar.
- Increase the amount of healthy fats and fiber that you’re eating on a daily basis. Foods like olive oil and avocado can help to keep your digestive system regular. Check out our best superfoods for gut health to see which foods can help.
- If you’re low on water, your gut will suffer. It’s important that you’re drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day, if not more. You should up your consumption if you’re spending a lot of time out in the heat and sweating.
- Magnesium is an important supplement that you may want to work into your daily regimen to boost your gut health. You can also eat foods that are high in magnesium, such as soybeans, peanut butter, flax and cocoa bean.
Learn how to manage the stress that you have going on in your life. It's not realistic to think that you won't ever have to deal with issues, but how you deal with those issues is really important. When you're stressed, your body can experience a variety of issues from high blood pressure to gut health concerns.
Try practicing yoga or taking up a meditation practice. You should also work other self-care practices into your daily life, even when you're not dealing with stress. This can include taking a warm bath, reading a book, going to dinner with friends or going for a nice long walk with your dog. Don't wait until you're feeling lousy to utilize these ideas.
You can also talk with a knowledgeable dietician or nutritionist to find out more ways how you can improve your gut health and take control of your health. Your gut health is intertwined with so many different bodily functions. While your stomach may feel fine, you really don’t know what’s going on in your body until you take the steps to find out more through some investigative work.
