My 2 Month Lumen Review

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One bright spot in the quest to solve Metabolic Syndrome is technology. Fortunately, we can get more data on what is really going on with our personal physiology than ever before through various devices and testing.  

My friend asked me over the summer if I had tried the Lumen yet. She had one and was liking it.  It didn't take me long to grab one - I am a data geek so I get excited for any technology that provides new, useful data on how to improve my metabolism.



The concept behind the Lumen is intriguing. The Lumen website 'benefits' section claims that the Lumen device will help you to become more metabolically flexible.  

An overly simplified description of metabolic flexibility is to your body's ability to change from carb burning to fat burning (and vice versa) easily in the right scenarios. Metabolic inflexibility is the opposite and is the not desired state. If you are metabolically inflexible your body probably doesn't use fat for energy easily.  

A lot of research has been done on metabolic flexibility and its implications in metabolic syndrome. Unfortunately, it seems to be mind-numbingly complex. This paper published in Cell Metabolism research journal does a good job of describing the intricacies and theories involved with metabolic flexibility and the implications of metabolic flexibility in obesity and obesity related diseases.         

The Lumen will give you a score ranging from 1-5 daily that basically tells you (based on the CO2  level detected in your breath) whether the device senses that you are burning more carbs or fat at the time you take the measurement. Based on the daily data, the app will give you a weekly 'Flex score'. This score ranges up to 21 and higher scores indicate that you have better metabolic flexibility.  

Based on your scores the app gives a daily 'macro' plan to help you get to be more flexible. For me personally, it is a little lower carb than I want to be (for various reasons) so I haven't followed the app's macro plan at this point. It seems that the app macros keep your nutrition plan decently low carb (mine says 75g) until your scores improve. It then starts to give some higher carb 'boost' days.  

In my mind I have the outstanding question of "is low carb the only or best way to get to achieve better metabolic flexibility?" I am interested to better understand the 'why' on this. It might be useful to have an option in the app where you can use your own macros (basically turn off the nutrition plan) if you are just using the scores/readings.

Taking the measurement itself is a little cumbersome. The device takes a minute to 'warm up' when powered on,  You have to breathe in through the device, hold your breath, and then blow out through the device for a few seconds. It took some practice for me because the app expects a certain breath rate and duration when you do this. My teenager looked alarmed and asked if I was 'vaping'.  

So far, the daily score (derived first thing in the morning) has been an interesting and valuable data point. In fact, I really appreciate this real-time data.  Apparently, the goal is to get a fasted 1 or 2 score first thing in the morning. This means you are in increased 'fat burn'. This makes sense as the goal because your body should have burned through any carbs consumed the night before and should most likely be relying on fat for energy in the morning. I currently blow mostly 3's so am still working on getting my body to the lower scores. It can a little bit of a frustrating process because it can be unclear why you can't get a 1 or 2. As I mentioned, I am not following Lumen macros fully so I am not too frustrated (yet) but I have seen social media posts from users who get VERY frustrated. Lumen gives you little hints in the app when you test higher about what can cause higher than desirable scores. However, I am the type of person who likes to have ALL of the information in its entirety rather than snippets.  

So far, the daily score (derived first thing in the morning) has been an interesting and valuable data point.  In fact, I really appreciate this real-time data.

The app has a lot of videos with information. I would prefer to read rather than watch videos and have had a hard time finding articles with the same info as the videos either on the app or the Lumen website. I have wondered if there are others like me that are finding the information hard to navigate.      

This device is expensive. My first year plan included the actual device and app use. It was expensive but defendable. I have been unable to find that it will be less expensive for me to renew for a second year when I get to that point (because I already have the device). If it is the same price to renew that will make it a tough decision.  

In all, I really like Lumen so far. Mainly, I like the daily score because it is a data point for me to try and improve. I think Lumen could do a better job of providing the science in a cohesive spot around why individuals might get lower or unexpected scores.  

I am still early in my use of this device -- I'll update this review in a couple of months.  

Lumen Pros

  • Only way to easily get Metabolic Flexibility Data (huge pro IMO)
  • Quick/Real-time feedback

Lumen Cons

  • Expensive Device/Plan
  • Info can be hard to navigate 
Lumen Considerations
  • Lumen Macro nutrition plan seems to be lower carb 

REFERENCES

  1. Goodpaster BH, Sparks LM. Metabolic Flexibility in Health and Disease. Cell Metab. 2017 May 2;25(5):1027-1036. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2017.04.015. PMID: 28467922; PMCID: PMC5513193.



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