RNA microbiome testing reveals what DNA gut tests fundamentally miss. Your gut bacteria have 3,000+ genes each — DNA tests see zero of their actual activity. Dr. Momchilo (Momo) Vuyisich, Co-founder & CSO of Viome and former Los Alamos National Laboratory scientist, explains why RNA-based metatranscriptomics is a quantum leap over DNA sequencing for understanding your microbiome and personalizing nutrition.

Meet our guest

Dr. Momo Vuyisich spent 12 years at Los Alamos National Laboratory developing RNA-based technology for digitizing human biology. He co-founded Viome in 2016 with Naveen Jain, and the platform has since tested 500,000+ customers across 100+ countries. His personal journey with NEU5GC autoimmune sensitivity drove his mission to replace opinion-based nutrition with data-driven, personalized recommendations.

Thank you to our partners

Outliyr Biohacker’s Peak Performance Shop: get exclusive discounts on cutting-edge health, wellness, & performance gear
Ultimate Health Optimization Deals: a database of of all the current best biohacking deals on technology, supplements, systems and more
Latest Summits, Conferences, Masterclasses, and Health Optimization Events: join me at the top events around the world
FREE Outliyr Nootropics Mini-Course: gain mental clarity, energy, motivation, and focus

Key takeaways

DNA microbiome tests show composition only — RNA tests reveal which of 3,000+ bacterial genes are actually active
16S rRNA sequencing cannot distinguish pathogenic bacteria from beneficial ones
Akkermansia can protect or destroy your gut lining depending on fiber intake and gene expression
Carnitine supplements may cause cardiovascular disease via the TMAO pathway in certain people
Viome's biological aging clock shows keto and paleo dieters age faster on average
No whole food is universally good or bad — personalization requires your own molecular data
The gut microbiome stays stable for 5-6 months; test semi-annually
Viome currently measures 25,000 of ~100,000 biochemical reactions powering the body
Three randomized controlled trials validate Viome's personalized nutrition approach

Episode highlights

00:00 Introduction

02:44 Why RNA is the single best molecule to study

06:16 RNA instability — why it took 6 years to develop

08:02 Why 16S sequencing is nearly useless

11:02 Akkermansia's 3,000 genes: help or harm?

17:37 Microbiome as a dynamic self-adjusting ecosystem

23:20 NEU5GC sensitivity & mammalian food reactions

25:50 Food sensitivities (IgG) vs allergies (IgE)

29:55 Viome's 3-part approach: seal gut, reduce inflammation, personalize

41:07 Biological aging clock: keto & paleo age faster

49:13 Dry fasting crashed mitochondrial function score

52:07 Machine learning identifies metabolic bottlenecks

1:00:23 Viome measures 25% of human biology, 10% actionable

Links

Watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bB8Zj_9pIv8
Full episode show notes: https://outliyr.com/257

Connect with Nick on social media

Easy ways to support

Do you have questions, thoughts, or feedback for us? Let me know in the show notes above and one of us will get back to you!

Be an Outliyr,

Nick