THE OPTIMIZATION GAME

Six at-home kits to turn good health great

LUMEN

The pitch: Hack your metabolism Method: Breath

The Lumen

metabolism tracker is a hand-held, portable device—like a vape—that uses a CO sensor to determine if you’re burning fat or carbs for fuel. (Burning fat is good because it promotes weight loss and keeps you energized when glycogen stores are low—whether in a midday slump or the middle of a marathon.) If I wake up and get a score of 4 or 5, it means my body is burning carbs, so my personal nutrition recommendation is to eat less of them and get enough healthy fats to satiate my appetite. Over time this will improve body composition and increase energy levels. $299, plus $19 per month for a membership

Time for results: four weeks of use Key players: Trainer Don Saladino and Bulletproof Nutrition founder Dave Asprey

INSIDETRACKER

The pitch: Beat your personal best Method: Blood

When you

opt for the Ultimate + DNA + Innerage Bundle, you’ll see how 261 genetic markers influence your athletic potential. The app also delivers custom recommendations to help boost endurance, prevent overtraining and avoid injury. Professional long-distance runner Keira D’amato, for example, used its insights to improve low cortisol and low ferritin (a protein that stores iron) from anemia, which hinders performance because not enough oxygen gets to the muscles. She’s now one of the country’s fastest female marathoners. $1,047

Time for results: 7 to 10 business days Key players: Olympians, Crossfitters, ultramarathoners and triathletes, including Katrin Davidsdottir and Des Linden

THORNE

The pitch: Finally strangle your stress Method:

Saliva

Founded

in 1984,

Thorne is among the longesttenured brands on this list. Its stress tests combine AI and machine learning with biological datasets to find patterns from millions of data points. Then an algorithm generates personalized recommendations. My DHEA and cortisol levels were low at night, so, in addition to the brand’s $39 Basic Bone supplements, it suggested I adopt the Mediterranean diet, eat pre- and probiotic foods, and do resistance training. $156

Time for results: 8 to 10 business days Key players: Investment firm L Catterton completed its buyout of Thorne for about $680 million in August; athlete collaborations and endorsements include former NBA star Dwyane Wade and Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo

BASE

The pitch: Get an overall picture of your health without a body scan Method: Blood and saliva

The Complete Bundle includes eight

tests that measure sugar, cholesterol, vitamin D levels and a host of other things to either remedy an underlying problem like fatigue or manage a chronic condition such as iron-deficiency anemia, then identify areas for improvement. Results and personalized suggestions are communicated on the app, where you can track progress over time and see what habits are helping. $520; a $10 per month digital subscription includes daily meal plans based on your nutrient levels Time for results: five business days Key players: 23andme co-founder and CEO Anne Wojcicki served as an angel investor

LEVELS

The pitch: Monitor your blood sugar without a finger prick Method: Sensor

Levels is

a pretty simple glucose monitor that sticks to the back of the upper arm for two weeks at a time. The sensor measures glucose from the fluid between cells. Although not as accurate as a finger prick, it’s well suited for those seeking to lose weight or improve insulin resistance. Every five or so minutes, it reads fluctuations in blood sugar, then provides feedback: Swap your morning bagel for something higher in protein; add fat and fiber to your post-workout meal; or take a walk after dinner to diminish the blood sugar spike. $398 to start (includes $199 annual membership fee and first shipment of supplies)

Time for results: two hours Key players: David Sinclair, a Harvard Medical School professor, who’s an adviser

EVERLYWELL

The pitch: Know your body’s enemies Method: Blood

Whether

dairy and grains or seafood and spices, the Food Sensitivity Comprehensive Test analyzes how your immune system’s antibody levels respond to 204 foods to help identify what’s causing bloating and indigestion. Although these types of immunoglobulin G tests haven’t been proved to diagnose specific allergic reactions, the company also offers a range of screeners for celiac disease, low testosterone and high cholesterol. The blood samples are collected and mailed to a certified lab, then a team of board-certified physicians review those results. $299

Time for results: 8 to 10 business days Key players: In 2017 it premiered on Shark Tank, where Lori Greiner joined as an investor