Lumen metabolism tracker review: does it really work?

Every now and then, a seemingly promising healthtech device pops up and has everyone believing in its advertised benefits until proven otherwise. Working alongside my fellow Cybernews experts for years, I’ve encountered plenty of letdowns, but Lumen’s metabolism tracker seemed like it truly makes the mark.

After all, the brand’s research partners include the University of Toronto, San Francisco State University, and Purdue. It’s just one of the nuances that made me give it a shot, together with my genuine curiosity about how such a small device can give you the stated results, such as the overview of whether you’re burning fat or carbs.

In this guide, I’ll lay out my firsthand findings about this device and its stated benefits.

Quick overview of the Lumen metabolism tracker

Before I get into the nitty-gritty of the Lumen metabolism tracker, I thought you could use a quick overview of the key specs and pricing:

Rating	4.8
Product description	A compact, handheld device with an integrated breath analyzer for claimed nutritional and health insights. It displays whether you’re burning carbs or fat.
App specs	It provides an opportunity to track your metabolism and fat/carb burning rate, personalized nutrition plans, and real-time metabolic insights for optimizing your pre-workout routine.
Pricing	Starting at $199
Stated benefits	Proper body weight distribution, weight loss, lower body fat percentage, and overall health improvements (stated by the brand)
Membership and subscription options	Try Lumen: basic plan with 1 month of premium membership, Starter bundle: 3 months of premium membership, Annual bundle for two: 12 months of premium duo membership, Annual bundle: 12 months of premium membership
Warranty	1-year limited warranty

Try Lumen

Our methodology

I wanted to give you a fair and fact-based Lumen metabolism tracker review to help you understand the tool and its functions from the get-go. To ensure that, my team and I have come up with a distinct rating methodology based on the following key points:

• Accuracy and technology (35%). I focused on how well the metabolic measurements claimed by the brand hold up through user feedback and a detailed overview of the results.
• Ease of use and design (25%). I assessed the ease of use of this healthtech tool, together with the overall functionality of the app.
• Features and insights (20%). I checked its range of features, focusing on everything from real-time metabolic readings to claimed health tracking.
• Customer feedback (10%). I was also aware that I would need some more feedback for a comparative analysis of this tool. That’s why I checked user reviews to see if they match my perspective.
• Pricing and value (10%). Last but not least, I compared Lumen’s cost with the overall pricing of similar healthtech tools. I also added the app’s subscription to the mix for a fair overview.

What is the Lumen metabolism tracker?

The Lumen metabolism tracker is a device that is claimed to help track your fat/carb-burning rate. The best thing about it is that you don’t have to give blood or saliva samples in a lab setting. You can, in theory, test this with a simple analysis of your breath from the comfort of your home.

This healthtech tool is virtually a compact breathalyzer. Based on its measurements, you can optimize your exercise sessions, diet, and sleep cycles.

It comes with a convenient app (which does command a hefty price tag, though), and it helps you easily digest the readings and apply the findings. So, you can use the device to fine-tune your training sessions and figure out when the best time for the next workout is. Plus, the app features personalized supposed metabolic state insights, as well as diet plan recommendations.

How does the Lumen metabolism tracker work?

To get behind the essence of Lumen, you need to understand how it works in the first place. While I was skeptical about all the breathalyzer background, the brand’s explanation seems rather plausible.

In a nutshell, the device analyzes your breath and measures the CO2 concentration in it. If the CO2 level is higher, it’s a signal that your mitochondria are using carbs as fuel. On the flip side, when fat is burned, the level of CO2 is lower. Because of this, the device can easily help you determine if your body is burning fat or carbs, so you can adequately plan your exercise sessions.

Of course, I have to point out that tools like these never rely on exact science. While Lumen claims it’s a science-backed method, as per their scientific article on the topic, I’d say it’s still a grey area. It’s pretty much impossible to create lab-like conditions at home and get accurate readings on health-related insights, at least in the current state of things.

What exactly does the Lumen metabolism tracker measure?

As stated by the scientific study conducted at SFSU, Lumen is supposed to track several key health-related metrics. Here’s a quick overview:

• Fat/carb-burning cycles. At its core, the Lumen metabolic tracker helps you identify whether your body is burning fat or carbs. Based on this information, you can optimize your exercise sessions and diet.
• Metabolic changes throughout the day. As stated in the research, Lumen also helps you keep track of the metabolic changes throughout the day. These supportive pieces of information also help you determine if your body is burning fat or carbs.
• Impact of sleep, diet, and exercise on your metabolism. Lumen claims that its device helps you improve your sleep, daily energy consumption, and your overall immunity. The metabolic tracker app conveniently displays this data.

Lumen metabolism tracker features and benefits

This device is at the top of the healthtech pyramid in terms of suggested and claimed benefits for the user. I’ve made it my mission to analyze each and help you understand how the device could help you improve your health, training routines, and sleep cycles:

Real-time metabolic insights

The first thing that the Lumen device is supposed to tell you is whether your body is burning fat or carbs based on a quick breath scan. Still, what amazed me the most is the fact that you can get real-time updates with each new scan. This is especially helpful when planning your next exercise.

Personalized nutrition guidance

If you opt for the Lumen membership and get the Metabolic Coach app, you can also receive tailored nutrition advice. Depending on the results, you may be instructed to follow a carb-heavy or a low-carb diet.

Long-term metabolic flexibility tracking

According to the brand, the Lumen device is said to have a positive overall effect on your metabolic flexibility. In other words, it can help you improve your metabolic health over time through insights from the Metabolic Coach app.

Integration with weight loss goals

I’ve found a high number of positive Lumen reviews for weight loss while making this guide. What’s more, the app has customizable weight loss support features, so you can potentially use it to plan your diet, sleep, and exercise cycles leading to your goal.

User-friendly design

One of my favorite things about the Lumen device is its overall user convenience. The compact size makes it a perfect metabolic health tracker to accompany you even while traveling, as it easily fits into your pocket. Plus, it’s also very simple to use.

Science-backed technology

While there have been some studies and clinical validations (including the SFSU research) done on the device, I still can’t call it a precise piece of medical equipment. It’s more of an at-home companion giving you a general idea of your fat/carb-burning rates, so I’d advise taking its displayed results with caution.

How much does the Lumen metabolism tracker cost?

Naturally, you may be wondering about the Lumen cost, and I’ve got to say it’s not among the most affordable healthtech devices. The breathalyzer alone starts at $199, which is a hefty price tag, considering you’ll also need the app membership to fully exploit it.

While we’re at it, the Lumen subscription cost is $0 for the first month of use with the Try Lumen package. However, if you wish to use the app for extended periods, you’ll need to opt for the Starter bundle, which starts at $349 (or around $249 with a discount) for a 3-month membership.

There’s also the option to go for the Annual bundle, which starts at $589 ($349 with the discount). You can even get an Annual bundle for two for $799 ($399 with Lumen’s limited-time offers) and get 12 months of premium membership for two persons.

How do you use Lumen?

Now that we’ve covered the basics, it’s about time I showed you how the device works. You can follow these steps right after receiving the device:

1. Inhale through the device. First, take a deep breath and calibrate the device by running a test or two.
2. Hold your breath briefly. Up next, move the device away from you and briefly hold your breath. Make sure to wait until the loading circle within the app glows green.
3. Exhale slowly. Now bring the device closer and breathe into it for a few seconds. You can use the app’s timer to figure out when the best time to breathe is and when to remove the device.
4. Get real-time analysis from the app. Wait for the Metabolic Coach app to process the information and give you a real-time estimate of whether your body is burning fat or carbs.

The Lumen app

To get the full Lumen experience, you’ll also need to download and set up the Metabolic Coach app. It comes with a membership price, so make sure to pick your plan carefully. Afterwards, you can sync your Google Fit account with it for tailored estimates.

The app’s dashboard is smooth and simple, showing your supposed fat/carb-burning rate and your body’s readiness for exercise. It’s also possible to track historical data and tune in with your progress over the course of the past days, weeks, or months. Plus, you can get personalized diet recommendations depending on the measurements.

Overall, it’s a decent app with over 100,000 downloads on Google Play, and you can also get it for iOS devices from the App Store.

Final verdict: is the Lumen metabolism tracker worth it?

Together with my fellow Cybernews experts, I’ve looked at the Lumen metabolism tracking device from all angles. With that in mind, I’d recommend it to those who don’t shy away from spending a bit of cash on getting a relatively renowned health tracking device that’s even backed by some US university studies.

On the other hand, it’s not a medical tool, and it shouldn’t be viewed as such. So, I wouldn’t advise it to persons with specific diet needs or those trying to track fat/carb intake and burning rates with medical-grade precision.

It’s more of a fun tool to use as training assistance with estimated fat/carb readings. I’d also say that the pricing isn’t exactly the most affordable among healthtech devices, especially considering the membership requirements for fully utilizing the tool.

---

Other reviews from Cybernews:

---

FAQ