Epic Health –
www.epichealth.io – is a unique app that is currently undergoing clinical trials and has been in development for three years. It is fully backed by clinical, scientific evidence, with a board of leading doctors and professors. Two of the latest developments see a function that enables the user to determine their glucose levels without drawing any blood, as well as finding out whether or not they are pre-diabetic; allowing them to make lifestyle changes if needed to avoid Type 2 diabetes ever becoming a reality.
The app works by the user placing one fingertip over the camera lens of their smartphone. A series of close-up images are then taken which can accurately show information about the user’s blood flow; these are sent up to the cloud for analysis and can then provide feedback on all kinds of vitals, from heart rate, temperature and blood pressure to respiration rate and blood oxygen saturation.
The app will be able to measure blood glucose levels non-invasively, meaning no blood sample is needed. SMBG (self-monitored blood glucose) is recommended for all people with diabetes and the clinical benefits are widely accepted. The app will allow those with diabetes to measure their glucose levels without actually needing to prick their skin with a needle; all in less than a minute using their smartphone’s camera.
These functions will also allow a person to view how different food types affect their body; for example, whether a can of coke increases their heart rate or a plate of broccoli lowers their blood pressure, as well as monitoring how exercise or supplements affect vitals. This will be particularly important for those wanting to manage their weight more accurately also.
Almost all pre-existing glucose monitoring equipment is invasive, with Apple stating that a non-invasive way to measure blood glucose levels would be the “Holy Grail.”
Another development of the app means that users will be able to measure their Insulin Resistance levels in a completely non-invasive way, to determine if they are pre-diabetic; in a never-seen-before breakthrough which the developers hope will help greatly reduce the frequency of people being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, by allowing the public to view and alter their lifestyle if needed. Insulin Resistance is the first part of a suite of glucose-related metrics that Epic Health is currently developing to add to its unique health platform.
To measure this, the Epic app measures the variation in user’s pulse which is related to blood glucose concentration. It is far less complex and more accurate than other ways of monitoring.
Insulin Resistance is the body’s defence mechanism against glucose, which in excess levels is a toxic substance. It helps to keep levels in the blood below 100 mg/dl (milligrams per decilitre) and, with most people consuming around 124g of sugar daily, it’s vital to maintain good health. Consuming just half a teaspoon of sugar more than the body really needs, taken over a period of time, can lead to diabetes, nerve damage, heart disease, eye damage and inflammation.
Dominic Wood, CEO and founder of the Epic Health app, had the following to say about its capabilities to prevent the onset of Type 2 Diabetes:
“The app uses a simple protocol which prompts the user to take a non-invasive test and this allows us to capture the vital information in a systematic way which produces the most consistent results. We have established a simple protocol for a baseline value to be established and the best time to conduct that test is first thing in the morning before any food or drink is consumed. We focus our protocol on the “fasting” test to provide baseline data followed by a second test 2 hours after the first meal of the day – usually breakfast; this is known as a postprandial test.
This is a massive driver of prevention, as the first of our glucose products is targeting everyone yet to be diagnosed with or in the general risk of diabetes – when it’s still preventable. There is nothing like this anywhere and we’re incredibly proud to be able to offer this.”
The app is currently in clinical trials but will be available to download, free of charge, on Android smartphone devices and IOS in Q4 2017.
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