Lumen review - can it REALLY hack your metabolism?

This video is sponsored by Lumen. Grab your Lumen here (use code ELLIS for $50 off): geni.us/MWc1rs3
In my Lumen review, I reveal who this device is for, why it might help people lose weight and keep the weight off… and how it has replaced much larger kit and testing environments!
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CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro
00:55 - Pricing and features
02:46 - How it works
04:40 - My test
09:24 - Who’s it for?

[@MarkEllisReviews]

What's your favourite health device? GO! ⬇

[@f1shs4lmon]

After watching the review I feel like this is just a gimmick! (not a hater here!) I don't see how a simple CO2 reading from your breath can accurately tell whether you are actually burning fat or carbs. I struggle to find any medical tests that specifically use CO2 as an indicator of any kind of medical condition. The majority of tests that I can find is only carbon monoxide (CO, a gas that can be toxic at high concentration), but that itself is also not an indicator of fat or carbs burning/ metabolism. Normally exhaled air contains ~4% of CO2 (which is the result of our normal respiration, compared to ~0.04%), so even though the device might be able to tell the increase in CO2 in exhaled compared to inhaled (atmospheric) air, I struggle to see how such a simple device is able to tell what content your cells are burning just by this data alone. Even when you are exercising it doesn't mean that you are burning fat! Fat itself is way more complicated and inefficient to break down as an energy source. During exercise, as our muscles need rapid energy supply, our body prioritise the usage of sugars (stored in our muscles as glycogen) instead of fat storage. Therefore, I feel like the device is just using the exercise record from apple fitness to "tell" you that you have burnt fat to make you feel better. Again I cannot see how the simple CO2 test can make out what your metabolism is, and the fact that the device is not constantly taking readings during your exercise makes it even harder to believe. The only way that I can see that it helps you lose weight/ maintain a healthier lifestyle is just by placebo effect. Having an app telling you and encouraging you to be healthier can be a way to motivate to exercise more and eat healthier etc. It is like how having a smart watch and health tracker can help and motivate you to "full up the rings" and as a result make you more active and exercise more, and be more aware of your health. But despite that, things like these are just a bonus motivator, the final results still depends on YOURSELF, whether you want to do it or not. Bottomline if you don't exercise and maintain your own health, you are not going to be healthy. I think the whole "hack your metabolism" thing and charging upwards of 600 quid just feel like marketing nonsense trying to trick people into believing that the device can somehow magically "hack your metabolism" and make you burn more fat and as a result lose weight. I do not mean to hate on you Mark, I do enjoy a lot of your reviews! But I just think this product itself is a bit of a nonsense. *I am not a healthcare professional or anything but I am studying Medical Biosciences at Imperial College London*

[@krystian4725]

Agree

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Hey! I asked Lumen to respond to your comment (if you've got any further queries, please contact: [e-mail]). This was Lumen's response: The science behind Lumen isn't new - this is a concept that has been used in labs for decades but is only now available for at-home use. Athletes and clinics have been using a metabolic cart which measures CO2 in your breath to measure whether they are burning fat or carbs as fuels as a part of training and treatment for health conditions. When you are burning fat, you exhale less CO2 than when you are burning carbs as fuel. You can read more about how CO2 can determine whether you are burning fat or carbs here - www.i-jmr.org/2021/2/e25371.

[@klausmcclean3369]

Very helpful review, thank you Mark!

[@crystalwilkins8006]

Great review, thank you!

[@kayge3272]

Great review mark!

[@Anarcath]

There is no research that suggests this device helps you lose weight or improves your health in any way. If you do see improvement, it's probably because you're eating well and exercising.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Hi Andrew. I asked Lumen to respond to your comment (if you've got any further queries, please contact: [e-mail]). This was Lumen's response: Hi Andrew, Lumen was scientifically validated in a peer-reviewed study which you can see here www.i-jmr.org/2021/2/e25371.The study fiybd validity of Lumen for detecting changes in metabolic fuel utilization in a comparable manner with a laboratory standard metabolic cart. I agree with you that the secret to improvement is eating well and exercising. Most people need guidance in order to understand if they are eating well and what exercise is best for them. Lumen’s metabolic health insights can be the missing piece for those looking to measure their progress.

[@frankmat]

The whole idea of the device is it suggests improvements around eating well and when to exercise... so of course it helps'. It doesn't do the job for you. I use it so that I know whether what I am eating is fueling from fat burning or carbs and food I thought was ok was actually not ok for me personally. It's helped me lose weight so much easier than before where I was just guessing what it did to me.

[@DonutAgain]

I bought it. CO2 doesn't work well - sample size of one though. I eat only steak one day, it still says I am burning carb. On the other hand my CGM provides a lot more information than this. It looks so nice and the app is well polished for food logging with barcode scanner. However the key proposition does fall flat. Not accurate. And my wife cannot pass the inhalation standard. So you need quite some lung capacity to make it work.

[@suli_xli]

One of the best KZbinrs I’ve seen in a while. Keep up the good work.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Appreciate that, thanks!

[@suli_xli]

@@MarkEllisReviews I’m looking to get either the XM4s or the XM5s for Black Friday, which do you reckon is better?

[@alejandrosaez1772]

It's not about weight, it's about body composition.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Hey! I asked Lumen to respond to your comment (if you've got any further queries, please contact: [e-mail]). This was Lumen's response: Indeed I agree and actually Lumen does as well. This is clear from the focus in their guidance on non-scale victories as well.

[@ChrisWAnim]

nice red dwarf tee

[@krystian4725]

People these days will buy anything to get motivated for a week weeks then forget about it, check in the draw and that’s it. I’ve seen so many ads for lumen stuff, sleep tracking pad, smart everything what is possible, sweat sensor which you glue on your chest ? I don’t get it. Of course everything is extremely priced so subscription service is the best option, and you also tied up as you more likely choose cheaper annual subscription than monthly one. People forget that they can go for a run without any equipment and still be happy. Happy to see this review however I think it’s a mega gimmick.

[@mkemp01]

Thoughtful review. I’d probably give it a go if it was cheaper.

[@tisurmaster]

not worth it. you can ask people who had it before; like me. It's a stupid device.

[@oribasan]

I came interested in the product and the comments sealed the deal! Definitely won’t be buying it.

[@tisurmaster]

tossed mine in the trash. all you need to do is exercise and eat right. Membership is automatically charged. Cancel the membership and toss it in the trash.

[@leanit5756]

Why in the world would you do that when you could have returned it for a refund?

[@tisurmaster]

@@leanit5756 i didn't wanna go through the hassle.

[@tommerrill5825]

Great review , but what a load of garbage this device is . Demonising carbs and just giving you basic sleep hygiene recommendations. You could learn all of this on KZbin , all whilst saving £350 🤣.

[@andrewmoore0]

Really enjoy your videos, but the second I heard £25 a month I just stopped watching! Crazy money!

[@notusingthisanymore123]

I am quite disappointed that you chose to platform a snake oil product like this, and I will be unsubscribing, which is a shame because I enjoyed your reviews so far but if it’s gonna fill my feed with baseless garbage like this it’s not worth it.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

One video you don’t like and you’re off? Shame - but thanks for sticking around!

[@ProjectPewgf]

@@MarkEllisReviews So cold of him.

[@MsCrissell]

@@MarkEllisReviews This person leaves because you chose to try and give an opinion about a product they don't like?? Oh well, Mark, you can't please everybody!

[@MarkEllisReviews]

@@MsCrissell welcome to the internet!

[@martinezajr]

@@MarkEllisReviews I will counter that fragile person and subscribe. I appreciated your take, and saved me some money as I would not adhere to the food tracking portion like yourself. Cheers!

[@Timjacks01]

🐍🛢