Zoe has amassed approximately 130,000 subscribers and 597,000 followers on the social media platform Instagram.
The aim is to gain insight into stabilizing blood sugar and fat levels and increasing gut bacteria, which Zoe says is key to achieving a healthy weight and improving long-term health. he says.
Biohackers’ rejuvenation Olympics turns into a contest for eternal youth
Biohackers’ rejuvenation Olympics turns into a contest for eternal youth
According to Zoe, a significant increase in glucose in the blood causes a significant increase in insulin production in the body, which inhibits fat burning and promotes fat storage.
Zoe is an investment. The upfront fee is £270 (US$340) and includes a gut microbiome test, blood sugar and blood fat tests, cookies, and a blood sugar monitor.
As well as the test kit, you will also need to purchase a subscription to the Zoe app which costs £45 a month.
I paid for the kit in August 2023, but it was out of stock, I was added to a waiting list, and I finally got it in October last year.
Its contents are in separate yellow boxes that are clearly labeled. First download the app. This app is simple and provides clear advice for attaching a CGM to your arm.
I couldn’t bring myself to push the button that would put a needle in my arm, so I had my husband do it for me. He ended up bending his needle. The company sent him a new one within 2 days.
I shoved the new CGM into my arm myself. The needle was inserted, but it didn’t hurt at all. I immediately started tracking my blood sugar levels and was able to see when they were within range, peaking, or dropping.
Checking my blood sugar levels is oddly addictive, and I find myself checking them throughout the day to see how I react to different food combinations.
Apple Watch’s non-invasive blood sugar tracking for diabetics approaches
Apple Watch’s non-invasive blood sugar tracking for diabetics approaches
I was surprised at how things like eating sweet potatoes and green apples baked with butter and olive oil could raise my blood sugar levels.
I’ve also done spikes on an empty stomach. Cortisol stimulates the release of glycogen stored in the liver, which causes blood sugar levels to rise during intense exercise. However, such spikes are not considered harmful.
On Zoe’s first day of testing, she eats two cookies for breakfast and two more for lunch. The breakfast cookies are thick, rusk-like, filled with white chocolate chips, and contain more than 600 calories. I was surprised that it contained palm oil.
It’s not out of the recommended range, but your blood sugar levels will spike.
The lunch cookies are colored a bright royal blue to help you understand the intestinal transit time when you poop blue. Zoe’s research shows that intestinal transit time is an important indicator of gut health, with shorter times generally associated with better health.
I kept waiting for blue poop to come out, but it never came. According to Zoe, many users have never seen blue poop. Your intestines may break down the dye.
After eating the cookies, a blood test will be done. This requires you to make a small incision on your finger yourself and collect a drop of blood.
Your poop sample will then arrive and be shipped along with your blood sample in a pre-addressed envelope.
During the two weeks that you are required to wear the tracker, Zoe asks you to perform an “experiment” each day to see how your body reacts. For example, one morning I eat pure carbohydrates for breakfast (I chose oatmeal and water), another day I eat pure fats (I chose avocado), and then I eat a combination of fat and carbohydrates. (I ate a handful of almonds and porridge).
Zoe suggests training before eating breakfast some mornings and after eating a fat and carbohydrate breakfast on other days. Zoe is all about “flattening the curve” – minimizing the rise in blood sugar levels.
I’ve been a breakfast skipper for a long time, but my blood sugar levels flatten out much more when I eat a mix of carbs and fat before a workout.
At least one apple a day: How eating more fruits and vegetables can help you stay healthy
At least one apple a day: How eating more fruits and vegetables can help you stay healthy
One of the habits I’ve stuck with since trying Zoe is to mix up carbs and fats when snacking. For example, eat Greek yogurt with blueberries and a banana, or an apple with peanut butter.
It will take 6 weeks to receive your results. His two documents sent via email, a 47-page dietary inflammation report, and a 44-page microbiome analysis (which is long, but doesn’t include much personal information).
In my case, no ground-breaking or life-changing information was provided.
My blood sugar control score is ‘excellent’ at 91, my blood fat levels are ‘good’ and my gut biodiversity is ‘excellent’.
The amount of food I was encouraged to eat was predictable. They now contain more lean proteins, healthy fats, grains and leafy vegetables, and fewer refined carbohydrates and processed foods.
There were 121 different microorganisms in my gut, which put me in the top 25% of my scores. My score was 83, or “excellent.”
“Generally speaking, the more diversity the better, as it is more likely to contain beneficial microorganisms,” says Zoe.
Once you have the results, it’s time for the final step of maintaining better food choices. According to the app, it can predict the reaction of blood sugar levels to foods and suggest foods that will keep blood sugar levels more stable.
What is the gut microbiome? 5 easy steps to stay healthy
What is the gut microbiome? 5 easy steps to stay healthy
I didn’t feel like I gained much useful insight.
No blood monitor or app will do these steps for you.
I canceled my app subscription.
