Lumen metabolism tracker
{{Short description|Wellness device}}
{{Infobox product
| title = Lumen
| logo = Lumen.me logo.jpg
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| type = Health and wellness product
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| manufacturer = Lumen (MetaFlow Ltd.)
| available = {{Start date and age|2018}}
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| website = {{URL|https://lumen.me}}
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The Lumen metabolism tracker is a product for measuring metabolism,{{cite web |last1=Song |first1=Victoria |title=Lumen review: a metabolism breathalyzer for the patient |url=https://www.theverge.com/23777406/lumen-review-metabolism-fitness-health |website=The Verge |language=en |date=30 June 2023}} developed and marketed by MetaFlow Ltd., which operates under the trade name Lumen.{{Cite web |title=Terms of Use {{!}} Lumen |url=https://www.lumen.me/terms-of-use |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=www.lumen.me |language=en}}
Overview
Lumen is a health and wellness technology company founded in 2018 by twin sisters Merav and Michal Mor.{{Cite web |title=Inspirational Woman: Michal Mor |url=https://wearetechwomen.com/inspirational-woman-michal-mor-co-founder-head-of-science-for-product-lumen/ |website=WeAreTechWomen.com}} The company produces a handheld device that estimates metabolic flexibility via breath analysis. Lumen also provides dietary recommendations based on that through their app. Lumen's headquarters are located in Tel Aviv, with additional offices in New York and London.
Lumen received initial funding through a combination of venture capital investments{{cite news |title=Lumen raises $7M and passes $1M on Indiegogo for its breath-measuring device for weight loss |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/08/07/lumen-raises-7m-and-passes-1m-on-indiegogo-for-its-breath-measuring-device-for-weight-loss/ |work=TechCrunch}} and a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo.{{Cite web |last=Orbach |first=Meir |date=2019-09-16 |title=Metabolism Hacking Company Lumen Raises $8.5 Million |url=https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3770448,00.html |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=CTECH - www.calcalistech.com}}
Lumen held another fundraising round in 2022, securing $62 million.{{Cite web |last=Heater |first=Brian |date=2022-12-01 |title=Lumen raises $62M for its handheld weight loss hardware |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/12/01/lumen-raises-62m-for-its-handheld-weight-loss-hardware/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}
Technology
Lumen's technology is based on the concept of metabolic flexibility, which refers to the body's ability to switch between burning carbohydrates and fats for fuel. The device measures the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in a user's breath, which helps determine the type of fuel being utilized by the body. Higher CO2 levels typically indicate carbohydrate metabolism, while lower levels suggest fat metabolism. While metabolic flexability is associated with fitness level, experts asked by Outside magazine indicated there is no evidence following meal plans to increase it will provide any benefit, and there is no indication it can help achieve weight-loss goals in practice.{{cite news |last1=Byrne |first1=Christine |title=Lumen Claims It Can "Hack Your Metabolism." Experts Are Skeptical. |url=https://www.outsideonline.com/health/nutrition/metabolic-flexibility-lumen-review/ |work=Outside Online |date=30 May 2022}}
= Scientific evidence =
Two studies conducted in 2021, both involving researchers employed by MetaFlow Ltd. or serving as scientific advisors to the company, found that Lumen's device could detect changes in metabolic fuel utilization.{{Cite journal |last1=Lorenz |first1=Kent Arnold |last2=Yeshurun |first2=Shlomo |last3=Aziz |first3=Richard |last4=Ortiz-Delatorre |first4=Julissa |last5=Bagley |first5=James Robert |last6=Mor |first6=Merav |last7=Kern |first7=Marialice |date=2021-05-17 |title=A Handheld Metabolic Device (Lumen) to Measure Fuel Utilization in Healthy Young Adults: Device Validation Study |journal=Interactive Journal of Medical Research |language=EN |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=e25371 |doi=10.2196/25371 |doi-access=free |pmc=8167606 |pmid=33870899}}{{Cite journal |last1=Roberts |first1=Justin |last2=Dugdale-Duwell |first2=Dirk |last3=Lillis |first3=Joseph |last4=Pinto |first4=Jorge Marques |last5=Willmott |first5=Ash |last6=Yeshurun |first6=Shlomo |last7=Mor |first7=Merav |last8=Souren |first8=Tjeu |title=The efficacy of a home-use metabolic device (Lumen) in response to a short-term low and high carbohydrate diet in healthy volunteers |journal=Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition |date=2023 |volume=20 |issue=1 |pages=2185537 |doi=10.1080/15502783.2023.2185537 |issn=1550-2783 |pmc=9987730 |pmid=36862060}} However, while readings were correlated, Lumen is less accurate. No independent studies have been conducted.
References
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External links
- {{Official website|https://www.lumen.me/}}