If you’re anything like me, you’re always on the lookout for innovative tools to enhance your wellness journey. As a Registered Dietitian, I’m always on the lookout for ways to improve my own metabolism, as well as the metabolism of my patients! Metabolism is a dynamic, ever-changing and personalized thing. Metabolism is hard to measure and really know what moves the needle, both backward or forward. But, I’ve recently stumbled upon something truly revolutionary for metabolism support: Lumen.
Most of my patients spend years trying to navigate the world of nutrition; experimenting with various diets, cleanses, calorie counting, two a day workouts, etc. And despite all of their efforts, they find themselves frustrated by the lack of long term success, the rebound weight gain, and the worsened metabolism that they ultimately end up with.
How do I improve my metabolism: Meet Lumen
That’s where Lumen comes in. Unlike calorie counting and restriction, which can sometimes feel like a never-ending numbers game, Lumen offers a fresh perspective on achieving your health and fitness goals. Instead of fixating solely on calories, Lumen focuses on something far more profound: metabolic flexibility.
As a Dietitian, I use the Lumen device in conjunction with nutrition education in weekly appointments to catalyze patient’s success in their health journey. I firmly believe that the more tools we can utilize to improve long lasting health outcomes, the better!
How does Lumen work? 
Lumen is a device that aims to track and optimize metabolism by analyzing a person’s breath. It meaures the carbon dioxide concentration in your breath and uses that information to
determine the type of fuel being utilized by the body for energy production—whether it’s primarily carbohydrates or fats.
Imagine this: you have the ability to understand how your body metabolizes different fuels—carbohydrates versus fats—in real time. With Lumen, that’s exactly what you get. By simply breathing into this innovative device, you gain valuable insights into your metabolic state. You can feel empowered you to make informed decisions about your diet and lifestyle to support your metabolism.
But here’s the best part: Lumen doesn’t just stop at providing data! Lumen offers personalized recommendations tailored to your unique metabolic profile. Perhaps you need to dial up the healthy fats today or cut back on some carbohydrates. With Lumen, you get guidance every step of the way. This process can help you optimize your metabolism for sustainable wellness. You can breathe into your Lumen first thing in the morning, as well as before and after workouts and meals for nutrition recommendations alongside an assessment of the impact your daily activities have on your metabolism.
Will Lumen fix my metabolism?
And let’s talk about sustainability for a moment. One of the biggest challenges patients face on their wellness journey is maintaining long-term behavior change. With calorie counting, it’s easy to get bogged down by numbers and strict rules, leading to burnout and frustration. But with Lumen, it’s different. By focusing on metabolic health rather than arbitrary calorie targets, Lumen encourages a more balanced and flexible approach to nutrition—one that’s built to last. And, Lumen is a device that many patients continue to utilize after our sessions together end.
Side note: that’s right, I don’t want patients to need me for their lifetime. I want to empower them with health confidence that allows them to maintain their goals without me in their pocket 24/7. But, I do offer monthly and quarterly alumni follow ups for healthy accountability.
Is Lumen a magic weight loss solution? My Lumen tracker review:
I believe in embracing scientific approaches to nutrition in my private practice, and staying up on the latest modern health tools is important for me and my patients! Lumen offers a unique perspective in this realm as a powerful tool that can give you insight to your metabolic rate and how to improve it.
However, it’s crucial to understand that Lumen isn’t a magical solution for weight loss or overall health improvement.
Instead, it should be used as a complement to a consistent commitment to healthy lifestyle choices. First, it’s important to focus on the not so sexy concepts like; balanced nutrition and regular exercise. This is the foundation that I focus on with patients to see quick but sustainable results.
From my experience with the device, I’ve noticed that using Lumen requires dedication to daily meal logging in the app. This can be time-consuming and potentially triggering for individuals with a history of disordered eating. If you’re someone with a history of disordered eating, please consult your practitioner before using Lumen.
Additionally, the dependency on smartphones presents its own set of challenges. Without your phone present, you can’t perform measurements with the Lumen device. I encourage you to set boundaries with your smartphone and avoid using it right before bed and immediately upon waking up.
How long does it take to see an improvement in your metabolism?
It’s important to remember that Lumen serves as a tool for gaining insight into one’s metabolic health. This device shouldn’t replace medical advice or treatment for any specific health conditions. As with any health technology, I always recommend consulting with a healthcare provider before making significant lifestyle or dietary changes based on Lumen’s data. Your healthcare provider can provide personalized nutrition guidance tailored to your individual needs and circumstances.
Six advantages of Lumen over traditional calorie counting
Metabolic Flexibility
Unlike calorie counting, which primarily focuses on overall energy intake, Lumen provides insights into metabolic flexibility—the body’s ability to switch between burning carbohydrates and fats for fuel. This information can help individuals avoid stringent meal plans that focus on the same three foods. With Lumen, individuals can optimize their metabolism and improve their body composition more effectively. One can do so by adding in variety to their diet and macronutrient needs instead of simply restricting calories.
Personalization
Lumen provides personalized recommendations based on individual metabolic data. Whilst calorie counting typically uses generic formulas or guidelines for calorie intake that are often wildly inaccurate. I’m looking at you MyFitnessPal! By tailoring recommendations to each person’s unique metabolism, Lumen may offer more precise and effective guidance for achieving health and fitness goals.
Focus on Food Quality
While calorie counting tends to prioritize quantity over quality, Lumen emphasizes the types of foods that support optimal metabolic function. Lumen encourages users to focus on nutrient-dense, whole foods that promote fat metabolism. This can help individuals make healthier dietary choices beyond just tracking calories. I love this one, as many of my patients are dealing with inflammation from their dietary habits. We tackle this issue with a diversification and improvement of quality real food choices that are less likely to have labels or be on shelves.
Real-time Feedback
Lumen offers real-time feedback on metabolic status. This allows users to see how their dietary choices impact their metabolism immediately. This instant feedback can help individuals make adjustments to their diet and lifestyle more effectively. Plus, reducing to need to rely solely on calories, which may not reflect metabolic changes as quickly.
Behavioral Shifts
Lumen aims to promote long-term behavioral changes. The tool helps users understand how their choices impact their metabolism and overall health. By focusing on metabolic flexibility rather than strict calorie counting, Lumen encourages sustainable lifestyle changes that support metabolic health and weight management in the long run.
Reduced Obsession with Numbers
Calorie counting can lead to an unhealthy fixation on numbers and strict dietary rules. In contrast, Lumen shifts the focus away from calorie counting toward optimizing metabolic health. This data and focus shift may be more conducive to a balanced and flexible approach to nutrition. Oftentimes, I only have patients use the protein tracker tool or just focus on portions and not stringent gram amounts (although Lumen does allow you to be this specific).
What’s the best approach for weight management?
Overall, both calorie counting and Lumen can be effective tools for weight management and improving metabolic health. But, in my professional opinion, Lumen offers a more holistic and personalized approach. This individualized approach may lead to better long-term outcomes for many individuals. And, because of the education Lumen provides, the outcomes seem to be sustainable which is KEY in longevity and metabolic health.
Is Lumen worth it?
If you’re ready to take your health and fitness to the next level, I highly recommend giving Lumen a try. Say goodbye to the endless cycle of calorie counting and hello to a new era of personalized nutrition and metabolic empowerment. This would be best to add into your nutrition plan after you’ve gotten comfortable with healthy lifestyle basics. My health non-negotiables? Hydration, adequate sleep, regular grocery shopping and meal prep, strong label reading skills and a strong nutrition basis.
How much does Lumen cost?
A common patient question is; “Another device?! What is the price of a Lumen?” Try Lumen today with code WHITNESSNUTRITION for $50 off your order. If you’re looking for 1:1 nutrition guidance in conjunction with your Lumen device to catapult your health journey, book a discovery call with me today!
The device costs $299 plus $19 per month for a subscription to the Lumen app. If you sign up for a year, or with a partner, you can reduce the monthly subscription cost. Unlock the secret to optimal metabolic health and embrace a life of sustainable wellness—all with the help of Lumen.
