Cercacor, makers of Ember® – the world’s first non-invasive hemoglobin tracker for endurance athletes, today announced that users can now also measure and monitor the dyshemoglobins carboxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin. Dyshemoglobins are known to reduce the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity.
No other consumer device non-invasively measures these dyshemoglobins.
Many athletes are unaware of factors that minimize their blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity, such as the presence of dyshemoglobins in their blood. While many may measure their oxygen saturation, they are only getting part of the story. The level of dyshemoglobins that may be present can negatively impact their bloods’ ability to efficiently carry oxygen. Ember now enables athletes and their trainers to non-invasively measure nine parameters without drawing blood. These parameters include: hemoglobin, oxygen saturation, oxygen content, pleth variability index, perfusion index, pulse rate, respiration rate and now carboxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin.
Ember now enables athletes and their trainers to non-invasively measure nine parameters without drawing blood. These parameters include: hemoglobin, oxygen saturation, oxygen content, pleth variability index, perfusion index, pulse rate, respiration rate and now carboxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin.
Dyshemoglobins are a form of hemoglobin that cannot bind to oxygen properly. The greater the concentration of dyshemoglobins in the blood, the less oxygen that can bind to hemoglobin – and thus, less oxygen available for delivery to tissues such as muscles.
Carboxyhemoglobin forms when carbon monoxide (CO) binds to hemoglobin. Not only does CO bind to hemoglobin at an affinity 200 times greater than oxygen, but once CO binds to a hemoglobin molecule, the hemoglobin molecule no longer properly carries oxygen. CO is caused by incomplete combustion, such as from improperly adjusted appliances that burn natural gas or other combustion fuels.
Methemoglobin is a chemically altered type of hemoglobin that also does not carry oxygen. It is formed when hemoglobin is exposed to certain chemicals or oxidative stress.
- Air pollution, particularly in urban areas with heavy use of combustion engines, can increase carboxyhemoglobin. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine concluded that carboxyhemoglobin levels of 4-5% cause a significant reduction in maximal exercise time and can be routinely found in those athletes training in urban settings.
- Indoor environments with space heaters using gas, oil, or kerosene can cause a rise in carboxyhemoglobin.
- Intense exercise causing oxidative stress can cause a rise in methemoglobin. Recent studies have shown an increase of methemoglobins (due to oxidative stress) in athletes one hour after cycling or running at 75% of their peak oxygen intake.
- Food containing nitrates such as processed and cured meats can increase methemoglobin.
- Also drugs and pesticides can increase methemoglobin, such as (using) Lidocaine, and Dapsone.
By knowing their carboxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin levels, athletes may be able to change their environment, diet, and exercise intensity to impact and improve their measurements – and thus their general well being.
"Bringing the ability to measure carboxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin to the athlete is a big deal,” explained Johnathan Edwards, M.D. – an anesthesiologist, former team doctor to several pro cycling teams, and also an avid cyclist. “Anything that impacts an athlete’s ability to carry and use oxygen is crucial to endurance and performance. Being able to measure dyshemoglobins should help a lot of athletes and their trainers.”
“Making carboxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin data available to athletes is part of Cercacor’s commitment to make Ember an extremely valuable and integral element of elite athletes’ training regimen,” stated Cercacor’s Founder & CEO Joe Kiani. “This is also part of our mission to deliver innovative solutions that help people gain unique insights about themselves.”
- All new Ember Sport and Premium Ember units sold will be shipped with an all-new mini-sensor, capable of measuring carboxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin
- All current Ember Sport customers can make an in-app purchase of the dyshemoglobin bundle for a limited time for $200. This includes a free upgrade to the new mini-sensor
- All current Premium Ember customers will receive the dyshemoglobin bundle, including the new mini-sensor, for a limited time upon request at no charge.
About Cercacor:
Cercacor is an innovator of non-invasive, easy-to-use monitoring technologies. The company helps people access key health indicators – empowering them to better understand their bodies, enhance their fitness levels and reach their full potential. Cercacor is passionate about finding better ways to help endurance athletes and everyday people achieve the extraordinary. Ember is not for medical use
Media contact:
Jason Sherman, 312-577-7650, Jason@shermancm.com
SHERMAN communications & marketing, www.shermancm.com
