December 22, 2022 10 min read

In this article

    Discover the Superhuman in you!

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    While experience tells us that no one knows your body like you do, modern medicine, accessible metrics, and the advent of “the quantified self” often reveal things we don’t feel or see in our day to day. Moreover, when we’re confronted with an abundance of data from health apps, iwatches, or blood tests, we can lack the knowledge and skills to properly interpret the information. And as much as we think we know our bodies - the signals they give us can often be mixed.

    What we can agree on when it comes to whole-body listening, is that once we acquire the necessary information, we can take control of our health and well-being by making measurable changes one day at a time. However, in order to do this we need the right tools to not only monitor bodily processes, but also to understand the data. 

    If you're not fluent in body language, you may be reluctant to make use of these tools without a doctor as an official translator. Luckily, modern technology can bridge the gap, making it possible to receive important personal health information without going to the doctor’s office. Today, at-home testing kits can tell you quite a bit about your immune strength, gut health, sleep quality, heartbeat, menstrual cycle, and many other aspects of your well-being - no doctor on-site. Sounds a bit scary right? Keep reading.

    Why use an at-home health testing kit?

    At-home health testing kits are convenient and can provide relatively quick results, bypassing the long wait for physician appointments. Your health data can be revealed in the privacy of your own home, allowing you to decide if and when you are ready to discuss it with a health professional. You can get testing kits to measure just about anything these days, from the DNA of your ancestors to understanding your gut microbiome. Just google “Can I test my _______at home?” You’ll be surprised at the myriad of options.

    Benefits of an At-Home Health Testing Kit

    When it comes to graceful aging health, there may be some areas of testing that are more useful than others. Some of these include: 

    • Gut health testing kits. Check the bacteria, fungi, and viruses that make up your gut microbiome. Gut testing kits can help you identify imbalances or issues that are responsible for digestive discomfort, hormone imbalances, chronic conditions, and more. 
    • Immune strength testing kits. Track and monitor your immunehealth over time. These tests can include a simple blood test that measures various markers, such as levels of inflammation and white blood cell count. In case you’re not comfortable with DIY finger-prick blood tests, many companies offer the option of hiring a home nurse for blood sampling purposes. 
    • Sleep quality testing kits. Monitor sleep patterns & sleep phases from the quality and quantity of sleep you get. You can even monitor the amount of light you are exposed to during the day. These tests can help to identify sleeping disorders like insomnia or reveal how light exposure might be impacting your circadian rhythm. You might find an excuse to buy a new pillow. :)

     So, if you are looking to improve overall health, an at-home testing kit can be a great way to help you detect and track aspects that need optimization. In some cases, you may opt to see your doctor for further investigation, and in others, the information may be enough to motivate changes in your habits. Which kits and tools can give you accurate results? Let’s take a look at some of the most reliable and essential at-home testing kits for your health.

    Learn more about your metabolic health with LevelsHealth

    Metabolic health is absolutely essential to our overall well-being. Eating well, exercising regularly, and managing stress levels all play a huge role in maintaining a strong metabolic system—but sometimes we need an extra boost to get us back on track. That’s where LevelsHealth comes in, making it easier to test specific markers of your metabolic health and help you take action to improve any potential issues. [1]

    Learn more about your metabolic health with LevelsHealth

    Levels Health is a revolutionary platform designed to help individuals gain better insight into the body's metabolism and its corresponding functions. By utilizing the Abbott Libre Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM), Levels Health provides real-time biometric feedback to users, allowing them to identify how their bodies respond to food and exercise. This information can be used to customize diet and exercise routines tailored specifically to each person’s individual needs. 

    To get started with Levels Health, you'll need to request access on the online platform. After being approved, the next steps involve answering a few questions about your health history, obtaining a prescription, and paying for the first month’s service. Levels Health will ship two CGM sensors directly to your home, along with instructions on how to apply the sensor correctly and connect it to your smartphone via the Apple TestFlight app. You can view data from your CGM in real-time on the app dashboard or web portal, enabling you to make informed decisions about diet, exercise, sleep habits, and more. 

    The personalized insights provided by Levels Health can help individuals safely reach their health goals in an efficient manner. For example, if someone notices a spike in blood glucose levels after consuming certain foods[2] or engaging in certain activities, they can adjust accordingly and experiment with different strategies until they find what works best for them. In addition to providing immediate feedback regarding lifestyle choices, the platform offers long-term assistance by encouraging people to create healthy habits through continuous tracking of the metabolic profile over a period of time. Thanks to this informational toolkit developed by medical professionals, users are able to make positive changes that stick (and we all know how challenging that can be!).

    Get tailored nutrition advice from Vivoo

    Vivoo at-home urine test is one of the latest and best at-home tools to help you understand your unique body chemistry - so you can optimize your diet with full confidence.

    This test allows you to personalize a simple nutrition plan with the aim of optimizing your diet and lifestyle. Their simple urine test will acquire the necessary data, including levels of protein, vitamin C, magnesium, sodium, and damaging free radicals.

    The Vivoo urine test kit is easy to use and includes an instructional guide. All you need to do is collect your original sample of urine and send it back to Vivoo for a detailed analysis. [3] 

    Here’s what you can measure:[3]:

    • Protein Intake Indicator (indicating low, normal, or high protein intake). If you're trying to build muscle mass - this is crucial.[4]
    • Fat Oxidation - evaluates how easily your body burns fat.
    • Inflammation Index- shows your risk of developing chronic diseases.
    • Micronutrient Intake Level- indicates levels of necessary vitamins and minerals in your diet.
    • Immune System Health - a strong and healthy immune system is crucial for good overall health, and this marker will uncover exactly that.
    • And lastly, the All-Mighty Stress Index - one of the most important markers of overall health. 

    Get tailored nutrition advice from Vivoo

    Monitor your heart health and mobility with Apple Watch

    While Apple Watch isn't necessarily a health testing kit, it’s worth mentioning since it’s a readily available tool for many. However, most users are not taking full advantage of its capabilities. Apple Watch is equipped to gather data on your physical health, such as steps taken and hours slept. Through the use of an accelerometer, pedometer, heart rate sensor, and more, this stylish accessory is more than just a watch, it can collect pertinent data that is helpful in tracking your overall health.

    One of the most useful features of the Apple Watch is its ability to track your movements throughout the day.It uses an accelerometer to track your motion and determine how far you've traveled each day, and it also comes with a built-in pedometer that counts the steps you take while wearing it. You can view details about these metrics at any time in the Activity app on your iPhone or through the Health app on your Mac.

    Monitor your heart health and mobility with Apple Watch

    What's more, Apple Watch monitors your heart rate and can alert you to abnormally high or low readings. This is especially useful for anyone with a health condition that requires regular monitoring of their heart rate, such as those who suffer from atrial fibrillation or are recovering from a heart attack. You can view your current heart rate and use the Heart Rate app to monitor changes over time, which can help you optimize your heart health.

    These are just a few of the tools that Apple Watch offers for monitoring your health, but there are many more. We encourage you to explore the features of your Apple Watch for more personal health data that is, literally, at your fingertips. 

    Stay mindful of your sleep cycle and recovery with the Oura Ring

    Oura Ring is one of the most accurate smart rings on the market, designed for 24/7 wear and measuring a variety of sleep quality metrics. It can even detect REM stages of sleep.

    Oura Ring is a popular choice if you want to stay on top of your fitness goals and improve your recovery time. Whether you’re looking to lose weight, gain muscle mass, or simply get a better night’s sleep – this stylish smart ring has you covered.

    The Oura Ring provides three extremely useful scores: The Activity score - which measures your activity during the day, the Sleep score - which evaluates the quality of your sleep, including deep sleep and REM sleep, and finally the Readiness score - which combines the previous two and basically notifies you of the level of your readinessfor the day. 

    The Oura Ring also tracks your body temperature and heartbeat to give you a deeper understanding of how your daily habits impact your health. You can use the information collected by this smart ring to make changes in your habits and enjoy all the benefits of a more restful and productive lifestyle.

    This smart ring measures the following:[5]:

    • Movement and rest patterns. Oura Ring tracks your steps, physical activity duration, heart rate variability (HRV), respiratory rate, and body temperature. 
    • Steps and physical activity. Oura Ring provides a highly accurate estimate of your daily steps, calories burned, and physical activity duration. It can track different types of workouts, as well as outdoor activities like cycling or running, to give you an overall picture of how much you’re actually moving each day.
    • Sleep quality and duration. Oura Ring monitors your sleep timing, sleep onset latency, the total restful and restless time during the night, as well as your movement during light and deep sleep stages. The smart ring also uses machine learning to recognize when you enter REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep – a very important part of your daily sleep cycle.

    Gain valuable genetic insights with 23andMe

    If you’re intrigued by your family tree, 23andMe is a genetic testing company that uses your DNA to provide insights into your health, ancestry, and more

    How does the 23andMe test work? The 23andMe test is quick and easy to use. First, you will need to order a 23andMe kit, then simply provide a saliva sample using the provided collection tube. Once your sample has been received by 23andMe, they will process it and return your results in approximately two weeks. The entire process is simple and straightforward, so you can easily get the insights that you're looking for with minimal effort.[6]

    Gain valuable genetic insights with 23andMe

    What can your DNA actually tell you about your health? Your DNA can determine how susceptible you may be to certain diseases and conditions. For example, the test can tell you whether you have an increased risk for certain cancers, such as breast cancer or ovarian cancer.[6] 

     However, it's important to remember that these results are just one part of the bigger picture when it comes to your health, and any decisions you make should be based on a complete understanding of your medical history and current health status. 

    Takeaways

    At-home health tests and smart devices offer a variety of information about your body and overall health. They can be helpful in spotting trends and changes that might indicate a need for more attention or intervention. While they’re certainly not a substitute for regular medical care, at-home health tests can be a valuable addition to your self-care arsenal. From gut health to immune strength to sleep quality, these tests can give us valuable insights into our overall health. So if you’re looking to get a better understanding of your health and wellness, be sure to check out some of these essential at-home testing kits. 

    Wait, there’s more:

    Summary Points:

    Levels Health is a revolutionary platform designed to help individuals gain better insight into the body's metabolism and its corresponding functions.

    Vivoo at-home urine test is one of the latest and best at-home tools to help you understand your unique body chemistry - so you can optimize your diet with full confidence.

    Apple Watch is equipped to gather data on your physical health, such as steps taken and hours slept.

    Oura Ring is one of the most accurate smart rings on the market, designed for 24/7 wear and measuring a variety ofsleep quality metrics.

    If you’re intrigued by your family tree, 23andMe is a genetic testing company that uses your DNA toprovide insights into your health, ancestry, and more.

    Article References:

    1. MD, Casey Means. “The Ultimate Guide to Metabolic Health.” Levels, 19 June 2020, www.levelshealth.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-metabolic-health. Accessed 21 Dec. 2022.
    2. Those Bothersome Blood Sugar Spikes after Meals….” Know Diabetes, www.knowdiabetes.org.uk/blog/those-bothersome-blood-sugar-spikes-after-meals. Accessed 21 Dec. 2022.
    3. Vivoo: Learn Your Body’s Needs with an At-Home Urine Test.” Vivoo : Your Body’s Voice, vivoo.io/. Accessed 21 Dec. 2022.
    4. Carbone, J. W., & Pasiakos, S. M. (2019). Dietary Protein and Muscle Mass: Translating Science to Application and Health Benefit. Nutrients, 11(5), 1136. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11051136
    5. Oura Ring: The Most Accurate Sleep and Activity Tracker.” Oura Ring, 2022, ouraring.com/.
    6. 23andMe. “DNA Genetic Testing & Analysis - 23andMe Canada.” 23andme.com, 2019, www.23andme.com/.



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