RNA Microbiome, Gene Expression, and Personalized Nutrition Explained
By Andrew Lawson
MyBioHackJourney Part One: Why I Started Here
This project did not start with Viome.
It started with a simple goal: improve NAD levels and measure the outcome.
That did not stay simple for long.
As I began layering in bloodwork, genomics, and longitudinal tracking, a clear gap emerged. Genetics explains long-term potential. Bloodwork reflects current physiological state. Neither explains what is actively driving those outcomes in real time.
That gap led me to Viome’s Full Body Intelligence Test.
If you are trying to understand your health at a systems level, this is where the conversation shifts, from static data to active biology.
What Is the Viome Full Body Intelligence Test
The Viome Full Body Intelligence Test is not a standard lab test and it is not a DNA test.
It is an RNA-based microbiome and gene expression test that analyzes:
• Gut microbiome activity
• Oral microbiome activity
• Human gene expression
• Select blood biomarkers
Most microbiome tests identify which bacteria are present.
Viome focuses on what those bacteria are doing.
This is the core difference.
• DNA shows your blueprint
• RNA shows what is actively happening in your body
How Viome Works (RNA Microbiome Testing Explained)
Viome uses metatranscriptomic sequencing, a form of RNA analysis that measures gene expression from both microbes and human cells.
This allows the platform to estimate:
• Which microbial pathways are active
• Whether those pathways are beneficial or harmful
• How those activities may impact inflammation, metabolism, and energy
Why RNA Testing Matters
RNA is dynamic.
It changes in response to:
• Diet
• Sleep
• Stress
• Inflammation
• Supplementation
This makes it more relevant for real-time health optimization compared to static tests.
What Viome Actually Measures (Biological Pathways)
Viome focuses on functional biology, not just isolated markers.
Key pathways include:
• Microbial metabolism (short-chain fatty acids)
• Inflammatory signaling
• Immune system activity
• Mitochondrial and cellular energy pathways
• Neurotransmitter-related functions
• Oxalate and sulfur metabolism
• Gut lining integrity
Viome’s Core Framework
Viome’s recommendations are built around five core goals:
- Reduce harmful microbial activity
- Increase beneficial microbial activity
- Support immune and cellular health
- Improve metabolic regulation and blood sugar control
- Support healthy biological aging
These are system-level interpretations, not direct clinical diagnoses.
How Viome Personalizes Your Diet and Supplements
Based on RNA analysis, Viome provides:
• Personalized food recommendations
• Foods to avoid or limit
• Custom supplement formulations
• Lifestyle and behavioral guidance
The Model
Measure → Adjust → Retest
The goal is to reduce guesswork and create a personalized nutrition and supplement strategy.
Viome vs DNA Tests vs Blood Tests
Viome does not replace other tests. It adds another layer.
DNA Testing (Genomics)
• Shows long-term genetic potential
• Does not reflect current activity
Blood Testing
• Shows current biomarkers
• Does not explain underlying drivers
Viome (RNA Testing)
• Attempts to show what is actively driving those outcomes
Example: Vitamin B12
• DNA → May suggest higher need
• Bloodwork → Shows current level
• Viome → Attempts to assess whether utilization pathways are active
Example: Cholesterol
• Bloodwork → LDL level
• Viome → Pathways like inflammation, oxidation, and microbial metabolism
Is Viome Worth It?
This is the central question.
If RNA-based analysis accurately reflects real biological activity, it could become one of the most actionable health data layers available.
If not, it introduces complexity without measurable benefit.
This project is designed to test that directly.
Who Is Behind Viome
I have spoken directly with Naveen Jain, as well as members of the Viome team.
Viome provided testing and supplements for this phase at no cost.
MyBioHackJourney does not accept payment, commissions, or performance-based compensation. All conclusions remain independent.
No Universal Diet (Why Personalization Matters)
There is no universally optimal diet.
Your microbiome determines how your body responds to food.
The same food may:
• Improve health in one person
• Increase inflammation in another
Viome attempts to measure these differences and personalize recommendations accordingly.
My Testing Protocol (Real-World Evaluation Plan)
This is not a one-time review.
This is a longitudinal, data-driven experiment conducted under medical oversight.
Over the next several months, I will:
• Take all Viome-recommended supplements
• Follow dietary guidance where practical
• Keep other variables as consistent as possible
What I Will Track
• Energy and cognitive performance
• Recovery and inflammation
• Changes in objective biomarkers
• Alignment between recommendations and outcomes
What This Viome Review Series Will Cover
This is Part One of a multi-part review series.
Upcoming articles will cover:
• Onboarding and test kit experience
• Full report breakdown and scoring system
• Supplement formulations and ingredient analysis
• Cost vs value compared to other health tests
• Real-world usability and adherence
• Measurable results over time
Evaluation Criteria
• What works
• What does not
• What is measurable
This Is Part One
This is where the project shifts:
• From static data → real-time biology
• From theory → execution
Part Two will cover onboarding and sample collection.
Part Three will analyze results and begin testing whether Viome’s recommendations produce measurable outcomes