The Signos glucose monitor patch and AI system can assist you in making healthier eating choices.

• CGMs and an AI-powered app are used by Signos to help individuals better comprehend their metabolisms.
• The platform educates users on how their daily routines, including diet, hydration, exercise, stress, and sleep, impact their blood sugar levels.
• Users of Signos have the option to select a one-month, three-month, or six-month plan. The half-year plan costs $179 per month.
• I tried out the platform for 30 days to discover what I could achieve.

Unfortunately, exercise, sleep, and vegetables are all good for you.

This winter, I discovered the true impact of health adages I've heard countless times before through my experience with Signos, a startup that provides a subscription service including a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to help with weight loss by tracking blood sugar levels through their app.

The cost of a subscription varies based on the plan selected, with a one-month plan starting at $449 and a 6-month plan costing approximately $143 per month if paid upfront. However, services like these, previously exclusive to diabetics, may soon provide a new revenue stream for health companies. For instance, Dexcom recently received FDA clearance for its over-the-counter Stelo product, which is expected to launch this summer. Signos competes with other companies such as NutriSense, Veri, and Levels.

I tried Signos' latest system, which utilizes a Dexcom G7 monitor, to gain a firsthand understanding of how these glucose monitors work.

Signos

Since its establishment in 2018, Signos has been utilizing continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and an AI-driven app to aid individuals in comprehending their metabolisms better. The company offers customized insights to its users regarding how their bodies react to specific foods and the optimal time for exercise to achieve optimal weight loss outcomes.

A CGM is a device that monitors an individual's blood glucose levels in real-time by poking through the skin and transmitting data wirelessly to a smartphone. It serves as a substitute for glucose, which is the primary source of energy for the body and is obtained from food.

While CGMs are commonly used by people with diabetes to manage their condition, Signos' CGM system is designed for average consumers, not specifically for diabetes management. Similarly, other companies like Abbott Laboratories are also introducing consumer-facing CGM systems in the U.S. this year.

Signos' platform educates users on how their daily routines, including diet, hydration, exercise, stress, and sleep, can impact their glucose levels and lead to spikes.

When the bloodstream's sugar content rapidly increases, glucose spikes occur, which can cause lethargy and fatigue in the short term. However, high blood sugar can lead to serious health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease over time, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Signos aims to help people reduce the intensity and frequency of their glucose level spikes, which can improve their metabolism, aid in weight loss, and lower the risk of chronic disease.

Getting set up

I took a questionnaire to start using Signos, which required me to provide basic biological information and medical history. An independent physician reviewed my answers and approved my CGM prescription for shipment shortly after.

In a brown Signos box, my kit arrived after a few days. The kit contains an instruction manual, CGMs, alcohol wipes, and athletic patches to put over the CGM once it's applied. Following the instructions in the manual, I downloaded the Signos app, which prompted me to set up accounts with Signos and the CGM company.

Signos utilizes Dexcom's CGMs in a clinical study approved by an institutional review board designated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as stated by Sharam Fouladgar-Mercer, Signos' co-founder and CEO, in an interview with CNBC in October.

Signos has received $20 million in funding from Dexcom Ventures, which also invested in the company.

Signos' platform is compatible with both Dexcom's G6 and G7 continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensors. I tested the platform using the G7, which Signos launched in January. The G6 and G7 sensors have a 10-day lifespan, and I used three G7 sensors during my trial.

After establishing my accounts, I nervously put on my first sensor.

Although I am usually comfortable around needles, I avoid looking at them when I need to get a shot at the doctor's office. The CGM's needle is small, resembling a mechanical pencil that has been clicked a few times, but I was not thrilled about inserting it into my arm.

Much to my relief, applying the sensor is easy and painless.

The Signos app guided me through the process with a one-minute video and a series of GIFs. I wiped my left arm with an alcohol wipe, placed the applicator, pressed the button, and popped the CGM, needle, and all onto my arm. The G7 is white, roughly the size of a quarter, and about half an inch thick.

I paired the CGM with the Signos app by activating Bluetooth and scanning the corresponding QR code on my applicator. After attaching the CGM to my app, I placed a purple athletic patch over the sensor to safeguard it from pulling, sweat, and water.

The sensor took 30 minutes to warm up and become ready for use after adjusting to my body.

What's good

Although I initially worried that the CGM would be uncomfortable or burdensome, I frequently forgot about it, and it's effortless to wear regular clothing and jackets over it, even if they have tight sleeves.

I felt some sensitivity on my left arm when sleeping on my side for a couple of days after changing the sensor. My upper arm felt tender, like there was a light bruise. I believe I could have avoided this sensitivity if I had switched between my left and right arms while wearing the CGM.

I had no prior experience with glucose data, but I found the Signos platform to be helpful in explaining concepts and simplifying them. The app guided me through a series of short articles and exercises to get started, including how to record my meals and exercise.

Signos introduced me to the idea of my "optimal glucose range," which is where I should aim to keep my glucose levels. The app initially set the upper bound at 120 mg/dL and the lower bound at 80 mg/dL, but its algorithm adjusts it based on my body's patterns. Eventually, my upper bound was adjusted to 126 mg/dL.

Viewing the Signos home page provides real-time glucose readings, a graph of glucose levels with an optimal range shaded area, and the percentage of time spent in the range each day. This could be advantageous for individuals who are prediabetic and wish to monitor their levels over time.

Signos encouraged me to experiment and deepen my understanding of my blood sugar by providing me with more activities and articles. One activity involved exercising right after a meal, which drastically reduced the spike I was experiencing.

I found the activity of guessing my glucose levels throughout the day to be interesting and useful. I was surprised at how quickly I understood the correlation between my feelings and my current readings. You can choose to skip activities if you don't want to participate, but overall, I found them valuable.

Signos employs registered dietitians who can assist users with their questions via chat, email, or phone consultation. After my first week of wearing a CGM, I scheduled a meeting and found it extremely helpful. I inquired about my data and the Signos app, and also received recommendations on how to improve my health.

I was aware that the experience would be tailored to my individual needs, but I haven't ever had this level of detail about what was happening within me. It was intriguing to observe how my body reacted to different foods, and there were some unexpected outcomes.

While I often consume instant oatmeal for breakfast and consider it a relatively healthy meal, I recently discovered that oatmeal significantly raises my glucose levels. On Feb. 9, my glucose level increased from 88 mg/dL to 167 mg/dL after consuming oatmeal. Therefore, although oatmeal may be a great breakfast option for some individuals, it is not the best choice for me.

Although I was less surprised by my reactions to many other foods, I still found it valuable to reinforce these concepts with data. Processed foods like chips and sweets caused large spikes in my levels, but fruits, vegetables, and protein-rich meals had a much more gradual impact. For example, I eat Greek yogurt as a snack a lot, and I found that it hardly caused my levels to spike.

Seeing my body's response to nutritious food made me more conscious of my food choices.

The Signos app has a "Tags" feature that allows users to write notes and choose from over 60 possible spike-causing culprits, including stress, travel, medication, sickness, crying, and a hot shower, in addition to logging meals and exercise to manage spikes in blood sugar.

My glucose levels tend to increase while I'm working on a breaking news story, and I spend less time in my optimal range when I'm feeling fatigued. I noticed this pattern during a particularly stressful week at work in January.

Visualizing the various factors, both within and beyond my control, that could affect my blood sugar helps me understand how the external environment impacts me.

And for bonus points, the CGM is a great conversation starter.

My friends, family, and colleagues were fascinated by the device and the knowledge I gained from it. Although CGMs are not commonly worn by the average person, the novelty of the technology may have contributed to their interest.

When the CGM expires, you can easily remove it by peeling off the adhesive like a sticker after 10 days.

What's bad

The user interface of Signos is simple to navigate, but certain features were more user-friendly than others.

I struggled to log my sleep and meals accurately due to the lack of guidance on how to do it correctly.

During the work day, it was challenging for me to interact with the platform's notifications and actions.

I frequently received a "Fast Rise" notification from my Signos app after eating a meal, which advised me to engage in 20 to 30 minutes of brisk walking or 10 to 15 minutes of plyometrics to reduce the glucose spike. However, as I work in-person at CNBC's newsroom three days a week, it was challenging to implement this recommendation.

When I met with the Signos dietitian, she informed me that any movement is beneficial, even if it's just a brief walk up or down a flight of stairs. Although I made an effort to take a lap around the newsroom after learning this, I believe it would have been beneficial to know this upfront.

Signos subscription plans include one-month, three-month, and six-month options. Although CGMs are not typically covered by insurance, Signos offers affordable pricing for many users.

The high cost of Signos' CGM may be justified for those with type 2 diabetes, as their website states that insurance may cover the cost. However, individuals without type 2 diabetes may not be eligible for coverage.

The company stated that while some individuals may utilize their Health Savings Account reimbursement funds to cover Signos, it is not liable for any reimbursement.

Users must determine how to reduce the platform's costs on their own.

I frequently checked the Signos app, almost as if it were a new social media platform, which made me pause.

Despite having a generally positive relationship with food and not experiencing much health anxiety, I was mindful of my mindset and attitude towards the Signos platform. I viewed Signos as a tool and a learning experience, and I didn't want to place too much emphasis on the numbers.

Although I knew that approach would be best for me, I sometimes felt guilty about large spikes in my performance.

I observed the emotions and frequency of app usage, which made me realize the potential harm the platform could cause to some users' mental health, especially those with body image or eating disorders.

Signos requires all potential participants to disclose their medical history, including a history of disordered eating, in their initial medical questionnaire. If someone is currently experiencing or recovering from an eating disorder, Signos will not approve their participation in the program.

The company does not recommend any specific eating style, and they have metabolic health coaches available to assist users in monitoring their well-being.

Trusting yourself is crucial when it comes to using a CGM for metabolic data. If you believe that accessing this information would negatively impact your mental health, then it may not be the best option. It's always a good idea to consult with your doctor before making a decision about using this technology.

Takeaways

The Signos experience really depends on you, the user.

If you don't put in the effort to log your meals and complete activities, the app won't do the learning or make lifestyle changes for you, so you won't see much benefit from the platform.

As a young and healthy individual, I was unsure about what to expect from Signos, but I learned a lot about how my body responds to my diet, sleep, exercise, and stress. The CGM is like a little window into what goes on beneath the skin, and I think it's easy to see why it's a valuable tool. After just one month of use, I have a deeper understanding of why I feel sleepy, lethargic, or energized.

I may revisit CGM systems at various points in my life to gain a deeper understanding of my response to nutrition and the environment.