A growing number of Americans, including those without diabetes, are utilizing continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to track their blood sugar levels. These individuals are interested in understanding how various factors such as diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices impact their blood sugar levels and overall health. But are CGMs truly beneficial or just another passing health trend? Hone Health takes a closer look.
A recent randomized controlled trial published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed that individuals may experience varied blood sugar responses to the same meal. This suggests that CGMs may not consistently identify the foods that cause blood sugar spikes. Despite this, some experts argue that CGMs can provide valuable insights, even for non-diabetic individuals. So, who can benefit from using CGMs, and what advantages can be gained?
Monitoring Blood Sugar for Non-Diabetics: Is It Necessary?
For individuals without diabetes, routine blood sugar monitoring is generally unnecessary unless there is an elevated risk of developing prediabetes or diabetes. However, many non-diabetics opt to monitor their blood sugar levels out of personal interest.
Dr. Ari Eckman, an endocrinologist specializing in diabetes and metabolism, notes that real-time monitoring of blood sugar levels can help individuals attempting to manage their weight make informed dietary choices based on their body’s responses to food.
While postprandial blood sugar spikes are normal, frequent and excessively high spikes can contribute to oxidative stress, inflammation, and various health complications. These spikes can impair blood vessels, promote arterial plaque formation, increase insulin resistance, and elevate the risk of developing diabetes. Additionally, significant drops in blood sugar following spikes can trigger hunger, overeating, and weight gain.
Benefits of Blood Sugar Monitoring:
For non-diabetics, the primary objective of blood sugar monitoring is to collect data, recognize patterns, and adjust dietary, exercise, and lifestyle habits accordingly. Blood sugar levels can fluctuate daily for various reasons, not only in response to carbohydrate-rich meals. Factors such as inadequate hydration, specific medications, stress, illness, hormonal changes, and exercise can all impact blood sugar levels.
By utilizing CGMs, individuals can observe real-time changes in their blood sugar levels after consuming different foods or beverages. Dr. Bob Arnot, a former chief medical correspondent for NBC News, shares his experience of using a CGM despite not having diabetes and notes how specific foods can significantly affect blood sugar readings.
Furthermore, CGMs can illustrate how different types of physical activity influence blood sugar levels. While aerobic exercises typically lead to a gradual decline in blood sugar levels as muscles utilize glucose for energy, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and strength training can prompt the release of stress hormones that stimulate glucose production. CGMs can help users identify these spikes during and after workouts.
Further research is necessary to explore how CGMs can provide exercise-related insights to non-diabetic individuals. Studies suggest that CGMs may assist athletes in monitoring their nutritional needs and optimizing
Are you curious about how to manage your energy intake, prevent energy crashes during training and competitions, or perhaps interested in whether you need a prescription for a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)? Most CGMs typically require a prescription, but the FDA has recently given the green light to the first over-the-counter CGM available for purchase without a prescription – the Dexcom Stelo.
When considering the costs, if you opt for a CGM like the Dexcom Stelo, be prepared to allocate around $50 to $150 for sensors every two weeks. Specifically, the Dexcom Stelo can be purchased for $99 for a one-time acquisition of two sensors, $89 for a monthly subscription, and $252 for a three-month supply. While it may seem pricey, some insurance plans may cover CGMs even for individuals without diabetes, and they are also eligible for FSA/HSA coverage.
How does a CGM actually work? The CGM entails a small sensor that is inserted beneath the skin and affixed with adhesive to either your arm or stomach. Subsequently, a transmitter conveys the gathered data to a smartphone app or another receiver. Individuals with diabetes often set alarms to alert them if their blood sugar levels are either too high or too low. However, if you do not have diabetes, you may likely not need to utilize these alarms.
Keep in mind that CGMs measure glucose in the interstitial fluid surrounding the cells in your body, showcasing the direction and rate of change of your glucose levels and calculating the percentage of time they remain within a target range. Despite the benefits, there are some drawbacks to monitoring your blood sugar levels through a CGM. According to Arnot, a CGM is merely a tool and not a magical fix for your diet or health. It necessitates effort, self-reflection, and a willingness to embrace changes.
Although a CGM provides a wealth of information, sometimes the abundance of data can be overwhelming, especially since research primarily focuses on the diabetic population rather than individuals without diabetes. Interpreting data accurately is crucial, so experts recommend that non-diabetics using a CGM work closely with their physician to comprehend the information being collected and determine appropriate actions based on the data.
Research has shown that CGMs can reveal different blood sugar reactions to the same foods from meal to meal, and glucose levels can fluctuate daily for reasons unrelated to food and exercise. Misinterpreting normal glucose fluctuations could lead to unnecessary anxiety or unhealthy dietary restrictions, underscoring the importance of proper guidance when utilizing a CGM.
Regarding hypoglycemia, while some studies suggest that a CGM could potentially aid individuals in detecting dangerously low blood sugar levels, manufacturer websites explicitly state that their sensors are not intended for use by individuals at risk for or experiencing hypoglycemia.
This comprehensive information on Continuous Glucose Monitors was provided by Hone Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
