Continuous Glucose Monitors: Hidden Perks and Why Non-Diabetics Should Consider Using
Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) have emerged as a revolutionary biosensor primarily designed for individuals with diabetes enabling them to monitor their glucose levels. However, the benefits of CGMs extend beyond the diabetic community and have become commonplace for athletes as well as anyone seeking to optimize their health and well-being. From personalized dietary choices to optimizing physical performance and managing stress, CGMs give users a greater ability to take control of their health. Here are a few points to consider:
Sample of your daily glucose data
1. Insights into Dietary Impact:
One of the primary advantages of wearing a CGM for non-diabetics is the ability to gain real-time insights into the impact of different foods on blood glucose levels. By tracking the response to various meals and snacks, individuals can identify how their bodies respond metabolically to carbohydrate loads. This information enables them to make informed dietary choices, helping to maintain stable energy levels and prevent the notorious post-meal energy crashes.
Research supports the idea that understanding blood glucose response can benefit overall health. A study published in the journal Cell Metabolism (Zeevi et al., 2015) demonstrated the significant inter-individual variability in blood glucose responses to identical meals. This highlights the importance of personalized dietary choices, which can be better informed through CGM data.
2. Optimizing Physical Performance:
For fitness enthusiasts and athletes, CGMs can provide valuable data on how different types and intensities of exercise impact blood glucose levels. By fine-tuning workout routines based on this information, individuals can enhance their performance and recovery. Supersapiens is a brand that’s leading the way in research and is working to optimize athletes' use of CGMs. Levels is another brand that’s making it easier for non-diabetics to gain access to monitoring glucose as well. Research from the American Diabetes Association (Colberg et al., 2016), suggests that understanding glucose response to exercise is crucial for optimizing physical activity and preventing undesired fluctuations.
3. Stress and Lifestyle Management:
CGMs offer a unique window into the relationship between stress levels and blood glucose fluctuations. Non-diabetic individuals can use this information to identify patterns and triggers for stress-induced changes in glucose levels. Managing stress is essential for overall health, and CGMs provide an additional tool for individuals to adopt healthier lifestyle practices.
While Continuous Glucose Monitors were initially designed to support individuals managing diabetes, their potential benefits for non-diabetic individuals are significant. Reach out to us if you’re interested in learning more and would like help getting started with a CGM.
*Sources:*
1. Zeevi, D., Korem, T., Zmora, N., et al. (2015). Personalized Nutrition by Prediction of Glycemic Responses. Cell Metabolism, 22(3), 427–436.
2. Colberg, S. R., Sigal, R. J., Fernhall, B., et al. (2016). Exercise and Type 2 Diabetes: The American College of Sports Medicine and the American Diabetes Association: Joint Position Statement. Diabetes Care, 39(11), 2065–2079.
Live well,
Joe