Lumen review: Is it truly a game-changer for your metabolism?

One of the trendiest biohacking themes today is altering your metabolic flexibility, which refers to your body’s ability to switch between burning fat and burning carbohydrates, depending on which energy source is available. It can be determined by looking at your respiratory exchange ratio (RER), which shows the ratio between the amount of carbon dioxide your body produces and the amount of oxygen it consumes. That’s the basic science that drives Lumen’s breathalyzer-like device — it can analyze the carbon dioxide concentration in your breath to track your metabolic state in real time.

Lumen stands out among your regular fitness trackers because it’s a first-of-its-kind portable device that measures RER, as well as uses the data to provide tailored advice for improving your health, nutrition plan, and other fitness goals. Still, as groundbreaking as it sounds, is the product as effective as it claims to be?

In this Lumen review, we’ll take a closer look at this metabolic tracker — we’ll assess all key aspects of the service and also look at the overall customer perception of the product. 

Lumen: Background and overview

Back in 2018, twin sisters Merav and Michal Mor introduced Lumen as a handheld RER measurement device that enabled users to track their metabolic flexibility at home. The Mor sisters have PhDs in physiology, and their experience as competitive athletes also informed their approach to product development.

Source: Lumen

Today, Lumen is marketed as a “metabolic coach” that offers personalized health advice based on your metabolic state and health optimization goals. The essence of the data is about helping your body switch between fat-burning and carbs-burning modes for weight loss and management, improving energy reserves, choosing workout plans, and boosting mood.

Lumen’s basic service also includes its dedicated app. The idea is for the user to connect their device with the app to track their metabolism and gain insights like daily meal plans and progress status for their goals.

As far as suitability is concerned, Lumen can be used by anyone, but children under 16 years of age, pregnant women, and people with metabolic or respiratory conditions (like diabetes or asthma), should consult a doctor before using the device. The website specifically cautions people with the following conditions against using Lumen:

1. Kidney disease

2. Cancer

3. Thyroid disorder

Lumen review: 5 key factors to consider 

Our team of experts looked at different aspects of Lumen’s service to form their opinions. Here are the six most important factors to consider:

1. Lumen as a device

2. Lumen’s app 

3. Overall costs

4. Value of benefits

5. Potential concerns

1. Lumen as a device

Source: Lumen

The Lumen metabolic tracker is small and portable with a sleek look. It comes with a charging station and has a long battery life of up to 14 days.

We could immediately see that it’s easy to use — all you need to do in order to measure your metabolic flexibility is inhale through the mouthpiece, hold your breath, and then exhale through it. It takes a bit of practice but the app can provide some guidance here.

You will have to do this consistently at least once a day for around two weeks to get your first Flex score that shows your metabolic flexibility. Most users find it’s best to take measurements several times every day to provide the algorithm with more data points.

Once you have established your metabolic flexibility baseline, you can start working on improving it by following the suggestions within the Lumen app.

2. Lumen’s app

Source: Lumen

The Lumen app is compatible with both Android and iOS devices but doesn’t seem to have a Windows desktop version (as of December 2024). 

This app’s setup is engaging. It will encourage you to manually log your meals and track your macronutrients for best results. Unfortunately, this is usually time-consuming and tedious.

The app gives personalized meal suggestions based on your metabolism, dietary preferences, and health optimization goals. While these suggestions will likely include both low-carb and high-carb meals, they will mostly skew toward the former.

Users typically find the app informative, but many customers point out the occasional interface glitches and intuitive meal plans. Here’s what one app user had to say:

Source: Google Play

Tip 💡

While services like Lumen do provide meal plans, they may not always be effective. The truth is that metabolism is partly genetic and plays a key role in how a particular meal plan works for you. If you want to make personalized long-term dietary adjustments or fitness choices, you should first consider a Nucleus all-in-one DNA health test.

Nucleus is one of the few DNA platforms that analyze ~100% of your DNA to check your cardiovascular, neurological, metabolic, and other health aspects. It also uses your current lifestyle data to provide precise risk scores for your likelihood of developing conditions like diabetes, asthma, and cancers. You get access to your complete genetic health makeup beyond metabolism, with all insights available in an easy-to-use app.

Nucleus is a clinical-grade test with 99.9% accuracy, which means you can use your results to consult medical professionals and make genetics informed fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle choices. Order your kit today to get started.

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3. Overall costs

Lumen’s pricing setup often comes off as a major drawback to users. The device itself costs $199–$250 (depending on discounted availability), but you will need a subscription in order to get access to the app. 

At the time of writing this, there are three subscription tiers available:

1. Monthly membership at $19/month. The first month is free. That adds up to $209 for the first year and $228/year thereafter. 

2. Annual membership at $159/year. You will have to pay for an entire year upfront and then you will be charged yearly.  It works out to $13.25/month — a 30% discount compared to the monthly membership.

3. Annual duo membership at $240/year. This plan allows two people to use the same device. It works out to $20/month or $10/month/user. It’s a ~50% discount compared to the monthly membership. 

Here’s how these plans compare in terms of total cost:

| Subscription plan     | 1-year total cost (device + subscription) | 3-year total cost (device + subscription) |
| --------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| Monthly membership    | $408                                      | $864                                     |
| Annual membership     | $358                                      | $676                                     |
| Annual duo membership | $219.5 per user                           | $459.5 per user

For many users, Lumen might seem too big of an investment, especially when they could access the same insights from other clinical tests.

[Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/fitness30plus/comments/1f7pjb2/comment/llblt0l/)

4. Value of benefits

The core premise of this product is that your metabolism can be improved with training, similarly to how you can become stronger by lifting weights.

According to Lumen, using the product can lead to:

• Less snacking, natural weight loss, and enhanced weight maintenance

• Increased energy levels and better mood

• Better overall health

It’s also a general fact that a lack of metabolic flexibility can be an early indicator of a prediabetic state and improving it might help prevent diabetes. Lumen even conducted a clinical trial where prediabetic adults used its device for 12 weeks and experienced significant weight loss as well as improvements in several biomarkers associated with the metabolic syndrome. 

Despite the perceived scientific validity, users have mixed opinions about the usefulness of the product. For instance, many users have found the device useful for weight management.

[Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/orangetheory/comments/11dddj9/comment/ja88lj6/)

On the other hand, some users remain critical of the product, finding it to be just another tracker with generic fitness insights. The huge subscription costs that are essential to using the device also seems to be a deal-breaker for many users. 

[Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/fitness30plus/comments/1f7pjb2/comment/lla2437/)

That said, Lumen product reviews on platforms like TrustPilot and YouTube are mostly positive. The product is also heavily supported by health and nutrition influencers like Dave Asprey, Don Saladino, and Rebecca Brand.

5. Potential concerns

We looked at the dominating criticisms around Lumen, and these are the potential downsides of the product (voiced by users) you should consider before buying:

• The device itself seems affordable, but the mandatory subscription can drastically increase the total cost, especially over several years. 

• Manually logging meals and macronutrients can be time-consuming, which makes it difficult to stay consistent.

• Logging every meal and its macronutrients may be inadvisable for individuals who have a history of eating disorders.

• The meal suggestions lean heavily towards low-carb recipes, which may not be ideal for some people, such as pregnant women, endurance athletes, and diabetic individuals. 

• This device is best suited for people who have already mastered the health optimization basics such as getting enough quality sleep, eating a diet that primarily consists of whole foods, and exercising regularly. It can be overwhelming to use for someone who is new to biohacking.

Source: Lumen

Many users also run into challenges when trying to return faulty devices despite the company offering a 1-year warranty. Lumen has a 30-day return policy, but only for unopened products.

Here’s a quick overview of Lumen:

| Pros                                                                                                                                                                                                            | Cons                                                                                                                    |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| • Easy to use, portable<br> • Backed by scientific studies<br> • Tailored meal plans<br> • Quality educational content (in the app)<br> • Better awareness of how diet, sleep<br> and exercise impact metabolism | • Costly subscription<br> • Heavy emphasis on low-carb meals<br> • Tedious data logging<br> • Occasional refund issues

Verdict: Is Lumen the right choice for you?

Lumen can work for you if you’re motivated to measure your metabolic flexibility, religiously log your meals and macros, and follow the personalized meal suggestions provided by the app every day.

Still, since the total cost of using it can be quite high, it might make sense to focus on getting the basics right first. Most of Lumen’s recommendations are “common sense” sleep, nutrition, and exercise practices, so some users may not see the value in using the gadget.

If you’re interested in building a personalized health and nutrition plan, you should consider looking into your DNA first. Your genetic profile not only impacts your metabolic strength but also other performance areas like muscle strength, energy levels, and capacity to focus.

One of the easiest ways to access robust DNA health insights at home is through Nucleus. You can get the Nucleus all-in-one DNA health test kit and access comprehensive insights within days, learning more about the common and rare genetic differences that impact your general health and fitness levels.

The platform offers one of the most reliable and accurate solutions on the market because it tests nearly all your DNA — unlike most commercial DNA platforms that look at <0.1% of your DNA.

Nucleus: Leverage personalized DNA insights for better health

Nucleus uses advanced whole-genome sequencing technology to evaluate how your genome or genetic material affects your health markers, including your metabolic, digestive, cardiovascular, and mental health. Its physician-approved, clinical-grade test combines the benefits of different health screenings, giving you more affordable and accurate insights into your genetic health makeup.

With a one-time investment in your DNA test kit, you get insights into your genetic risks for over 170+ conditions, including:

• Type 2 diabetes

• Celiac disease

• Alcohol dependence

• Asthma

• Alzheimer’s disease

• Coronary artery disease

• Bipolar disorder

• Cancers

• ADHD

You can also access 9+ trait reports for genetic predispositions like muscle strength, IQ levels, allergies, and longevity. What makes Nucleus reports unique is that it also considers your ancestry and lifestyle factors, such as smoking status and blood pressure levels, to personalize your risk scores.

All your insights are easy-to-interpret and accessible within your Nucleus account. You may also want to look up your raw data from your account if you need to search for a specific genetic variant that impacts your metabolism. 

You can discuss your results with your doctor to create a fitness or health optimization plan that takes your unique genetic profile into account. Cannot find the right professionals? Nucleus also offers to connect you with board-certified genetic counselors via its SteadyMD partners.

How to order Nucleus Premium

Nucleus Premium is currently the most affordable whole-genome sequencing service in the United States. For $399, you get everything, including your raw DNA data, health reports, and trait analyses. This service is HSA/FSA eligible.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Create your Nucleus account

2. Provide your personal information

3. Order your DNA kit

The delivery and the return shipping are free. You can expect to get your results within 6–8 weeks once our lab receives your DNA sample. Nucleus is HIPAA-compliant and conducts all testing in the U.S. in CAP/CLIA-certified labs, so you can expect a privacy-conscious service.

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Featured image source: Lumen