Signos vs Lumen
Reaching and staying at a healthy weight is a frustrating challenge for millions of Americans. The scale or calorie-counting diets were the guides to weight loss in the past, but now there are better tools for weight management that are personalized to your body.
With numerous factors that influence wellness and health goals, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Health tech companies, including Signos, offer various wearables and programs to assist individuals on their wellness journey. Many apps provide insight into metabolic health, encompassing blood sugar levels, cholesterol, hormone levels, weight, blood pressure, and more.
In this article, we will compare Signos and Lumen, who use different technologies to give data on different aspects of metabolic health.
Signos uses a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to track glucose levels in real time and helps members visualize how their daily habits affect their metabolism. While CGMs have traditionally been used by people who are living with diabetes, CGMs can also be used to inform your understanding of how your body responds to the foods you eat, sleep, stress, and more. Your blood sugar levels can significantly impact how your body feels and functions. This is one of the main reasons stable glucose levels can be important in supporting your overall well-being.
Lumen uses breath analysis technology to determine whether members utilize carbohydrates or fat throughout the day and measures members’ metabolic flexibility levels.
What’s a CGM?
A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is a tiny wearable device that reads your glucose levels in real time. It sticks to your body (usually worn on the upper arm or the stomach), and a tiny fiber monitors how much glucose you have circulating in your body at any time - without finger sticks. You keep the continuous glucose monitor on at all times, including while you sleep, when exercising, and even when you shower.
Depending on the type of CGM, the sensor can stay in place between 10 and 14 days before it needs to be replaced. When taking it off, just peel off the adhesive like you would peel off a band-aid.
Studies have shown that people living without diabetes have larger fluctuations in their glucose levels than previously thought, and finding ways to stabilize glucose proves beneficial for health in many ways, such as:
- Weight loss
- Weight maintenance
- Building muscle
- Creating consistent energy and mental focus throughout the day
- Optimizing fueling strategy for peak athletic performance
- Lowering and controlling inflammation
- Maintaining a high-functioning immune system
- Lowering the risk of chronic diseases
As experts wait for more peer-reviewed studies on the benefits of CGM use in those without diabetes, a CGM program can provide visibility into how everyday life, such as quality of sleep, getting cut off on the freeway, or enjoying a still-warm cookie, affects your glucose. This personalized glucose data can prove invaluable for weight loss efforts and a better quality of life.
Overview of Lumen
Lumen is a health and wellness company that helps people improve their metabolic health.
Members will receive a Lumen device, a travel case, and a charging dock when signing up for Lumen. Lumen notes that if members properly care for their devices, replacement should not be required. The initial cost of the device and Lumen program is $299, with a recurring monthly charge of $19 after the first month.
The Lumen device contains a sensor that determines the CO2 concentration of a member’s breath. The consumer device (not FDA-approved) determines the type of fuel that the human body is utilizing at the present moment and provides members with a score to show metabolic flexibility, which can be impacted by nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress.
According to Lumen, improving metabolic flexibility can lead to easier weight loss and sustainable weight management. Lumen’s internal studies found that the CO2 measurements from the Lumen device could be comparable to an RER measurement taken in a healthcare laboratory setting. However, the accuracy of the Lumen device is still being debated, and more research is needed.
An Inside Look: Lumen
People who sign up for Lumen can track their data measured by the Lumen device. Similar to Signos, Lumen allows you to track workouts and meals directly in the app. However, the Lumen program requires members to use their devices manually after each event to read the data. This could cause some complications if members forget their devices or forget to log their CO2 measurements.
Lumen uses morning measurements to provide daily nutrition recommendations focusing on macronutrients: fats, carbs, and protein. Each morning, after a member uses the Lumen device, the app will recommend the amount of carbohydrates a member should consume on that specific day. Lumen provides numerous recipes and meals for members to choose from that can fit the macro recommendations given by the app.
Lumen also provides members with tracks focusing on three types of wellness goals: overall health/metabolic health, healthy weight, or fitness performance. The selection of a track is critical as this plays a role in the macro recommendations and meal plans suggested by Lumen.
Price1
Lumen only offers one membership plan.
- Initial cost: $299
- Monthly recurring cost: $19/month
Pros
Food and exercise logging
Personalized nutrition recommendations
Non-invasive, external device
Cons
No access to registered dietitians to support your wellness journey
Limited logging: no access to sleep or stress logs
Limited data on metabolism during rest or sleep
Data is dependent on remembering to utilize the manual device
Limited reporting and data analytics
No personalized recommendations for how to lower glucose levels in real-time
Overview of Signos
Signos is the only company that combines a CGM with an AI-driven app to deliver real-time glucose monitoring for optimal health and weight management. Currently, Signos is available to adults currently not living with diabetes and people living with non-insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes who want to focus on weight management.
When members purchase the Signos CGM program, they will receive the Dexcom G7 CGM and can begin tracking their daily habits, such as nutrition, activity, and sleep, in the Signos app.
Signos is the only company that combines a CGM with an AI-driven app to deliver real-time glucose monitoring for optimal health and weight management.
Through Signos, you can translate your unique metabolic signals into timely recommendations for eating, exercise, and better health.
As members begin their Signos journeys, they log what they eat, allowing the Signos platform to learn each person’s glucose reaction to specific foods. Once calibrated, Signos uses that data to provide personalized nutrition suggestions, including which foods are best for each member to eat and when to exercise to bring glucose levels back within their optimal weight loss range.
Throughout the member’s subscription, they can access a registered dietitian within the app for additional nutrition guidance.
How your personalized weight loss plan works:
Here’s a scenario to help you explore the ways Signos guides you to make the best food choices for your body.
An Inside Look: Signos CGM Program
Signos’ main focus is to help people seeking weight loss and improved metabolic health. When you become a Signos member, you’ll get 24/7 access to the Signos app, plus a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). Signos teaches you how to understand and act on your glucose data to become the healthiest version of you, as well as sends you alerts whenever your glucose spikes out of your optimal range to ensure you meet your wellness goals.
Within the Signos app, you can log hydration, weight, exercise, sleep, and meals. Going beyond just logging, the app learns more about you and your body the more data you log within the app.
For example, as you log workouts, the Signos AI learns how your glucose responds to each workout you track. When your glucose spikes, the Signos app predicts how hard and long you’ll need to work to reduce your glucose. When logging meals before you sit down and eat, the Signos app will also predict your glucose response. While the main program is focused on metabolic health and weight management, members set their own goals within the app.
Signos also provides daily activities within the app to help members understand the connections between their existing habits and glucose reactions. This helps members recognize the difference between physical hunger and emotional eating habits and unlocks actionable, small steps that members can take to start improving their metabolic health.
Pricing
How much does Signos cost?
Signos offers the following plans:
- 1 month:
- Monthly: $449/mo
- 3 month:
- Three month pay in full: $687
- 6 month
- Monthly payments: $199/mo ($1194 total)
You are committing to a recurring subscription. If you choose to terminate your 3- or 6-month commitment before the term is fulfilled, you may be subject to a fee up to $199.
All pricing includes access to the Signos app, three (3) continuous glucose monitors per month for the duration of your subscription, and a free digital telehealth assessment for participation in the program and a prescription for the CGM.
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You can select a Signos plan here.
Is Signos covered by insurance?
Signos is not currently covered by insurance, but may qualify for HSA reimbursement. Different providers have different coverage, so check with your HSA/FSA provider first to determine if you can use your funds for the CGM and Signos program. If they accept CGMs in your plan, you can utilize the prescription details found in your shipment to submit to your provider for proof of purchase.
Signos is not responsible for reimbursement in any capacity. Cancellation policies and terms and conditions still apply, even in the instance that your provider does not approve coverage or reimbursement for this program.
Pros
Real-time data with no need to manually scan the CGM sensor
Complimentary access to registered nutritionists
Rapid rise glucose notifications with exercise recommendations
A personalized metabolic profile
Easy-to-use app experience
Daily activities to help members better understand the connection between their habits and glucose responses
No mandatory annual membership fee for utilizing the Signos program
Flexible pricing plans that vary based on commitment level
Offers receipts for HSA/FSA reimbursement depending on your plans
Apple Health and Google Health Connect integrations
Cons
Currently, no lab testing
Dexcom sensor calibration takes 30 minutes
Why You Should Choose Signos
With complimentary access to real human dietitians and nutritionists, you will receive more value from the Signos app. Signos goes beyond giving you the data from a CGM; it empowers you to create an action plan to build sustainable, long-term habits that support your wellness goals.
Signos’ CGM program allows you to track your sleep, exercise, hydration, and more. The Signos app also syncs with popular devices such as an Apple Watch, Samsung, and Fitbit. This seamless integration lets you track and view your health data in one central location.
With a CGM that provides real-time data, you can start to recognize patterns and how your environment and behavior directly affect your glucose levels.
Lastly, Signos offers in-app activities that help you learn how to experiment and allow you to learn more about your body, metabolic health, and overall wellness. Signos understands that wellness is a long-term process and is here to support you, no matter your goal. In addition, over 89% of Signos members report losing weight in their first 30 days on the program, and in 6 months, members report losing more than 7% of their initial body weight.
Should you stabilize your glucose?
(Spoiler Alert: Yes.)
Your body turns food into glucose to use as energy. Certain foods or too much food can cause your glucose to spike. Excess glucose is stored as fat. Our program short circuits this cycle.
Join thousands of healthier customers
“My husband and I are both losing weight. I'm enjoying challenging my husband on time in range—that is really motivating. 👫👩❤️👨”
"I have lost ~15lbs over the past two months. What I have found to be most helpful is that by controlling my glucose levels I find that I have more consistent energy throughout the day."
“No diet has worked for me long term. The Signos program is different because it shows me how food, exercise, and hydration affect my body in real-time. This program is changing my life!”
“I always thought that I couldn’t eat fruit because it spiked my blood sugar. But I’m finding that I can eat a variety of fruit and stay stable. I absolutely love the program. 🥑🍎🫐”
“My husband and I are both losing weight. I'm enjoying challenging my husband on time in range—that is really motivating. 👫👩❤️👨”
"I have lost ~15lbs over the past two months. What I have found to be most helpful is that by controlling my glucose levels I find that I have more consistent energy throughout the day."
“No diet has worked for me long term. The Signos program is different because it shows me how food, exercise, and hydration affect my body in real-time. This program is changing my life!”
“I always thought that I couldn’t eat fruit because it spiked my blood sugar. But I’m finding that I can eat a variety of fruit and stay stable. I absolutely love the program. 🥑🍎🫐”
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1Prices shown are accurate as of April 22, 2024. Actual prices may vary.
Copyright © 2024 Signos Inc. This product is used to measure and analyze glucose readings for weight loss purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent pre-diabetes, diabetes, or any disease or condition, nor is it intended to affect the structure or any function of the body. Privacy Policy