For the past 12 weeks, my morning routine has included using the Lumen, a metabolism breathalyzer and digital nutritionist, to measure how efficiently my body burns fat and carbs. This device has the potential to help me lose weight, improve athletic performance, and enhance my overall metabolic health. These are all issues that many people would love to address, considering the $71 billion diet culture industry and the $30 billion fitness industry.
Using the Lumen is fairly simple. I wake up, grab my $349 carb vape, and head to the couch. I take a deep breath through the device for four seconds, hold my breath for 10 seconds, and then exhale for six seconds. Within seconds, the Lumen app on my phone tells me whether I’m burning fat, carbs, or a mix of both. It also provides me with a customized plan for what I should eat that day based on the results.
When I first reviewed the Lumen three years ago, it had some limitations. However, the product has undergone major updates since then, prompting me to revisit it. One of the main reasons was my disappointing performance in the New York City Half Marathon. I wanted to see if using the Lumen could help me improve my running performance.
The Lumen’s design hasn’t changed much since the first generation. It is still a small device that fits in my hand, with a discreet power button. When I turn it on, a purple LED circle lights up. The device also comes with a magnetic cap for the mouthpiece and a charging dock. Although the dock is convenient, I find that the device rarely needs to be charged, as a single charge lasts for weeks.
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The Lumen app has undergone significant improvements over the years. It is now more user-friendly, with more educational videos about nutrition, wellness, and fitness. The food database for macro logging has also been updated, although it is not as extensive as those of other popular apps. The app even offers a service called Metabolic Meals, where users can order premade meals.
One major change to the Lumen device is that users now only need to take one breath to get their morning score, as opposed to three breaths in the past. This makes the morning measurement quicker and less of a hassle. However, users are still encouraged to take additional measurements before and after eating, as well as before bedtime.
The Lumen device measures the carbon dioxide in my breath and compares it to gold-standard Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RER) tests to determine my score. A score of 1 or 2 indicates that I’m mostly burning fat, while a score of 4 or 5 means I’m burning mostly carbs. A score of 3 indicates a more even mix of both. After four weeks, I receive a Lumen Flex score, which measures how well I switch between burning fat and carbs. This information is crucial for optimizing weight loss, athletic performance, and overall metabolic health.
The Lumen claims to be scientifically validated and peer-reviewed, and I found their research to be transparent and reliable. The company has conducted peer-reviewed validation studies, and their website showcases collaborations with reputable institutions and researchers. While it’s important to remain skeptical and continue researching, the Lumen provides a level of transparency that is reassuring.
Using the Lumen over the past 12 weeks has been a learning experience. As a carb lover, my initial scores mostly alternated between 3s and 4s. I didn’t put much effort into reducing my carb intake, especially during my birthday month. However, the Lumen app did not shame me. Instead, it provided educational content on nutrition, mental health, and how to make the most out of using the device. The app also includes a comprehensive guide to portion sizes, macronutrients, and recipe suggestions.
Overall, my experience with the Lumen has been positive. While it may be expensive and requires a subscription, it provides valuable information about nutrition and helps users make informed decisions about their health and wellness. It may not provide immediate results, and logging macros can be tedious, but for those willing to stick to it, the Lumen can be a useful tool for improving their metabolic health.
