Tech-savvy trendsetters are slapping stickers on their arms. CGMs are the new must-have accessory for wellness fanatics looking to fine-tune their health.
These nifty gadgets are no longer just for diabetes management. More and more people are using CGMs as undercover allies in their quest for optimal health and fitness.
Today, we’ll talk all about CGMs and whether they’re right for you.
What is a Continuous Glucose Monitor?
A continuous glucose monitor (or CGM) is a small medical device designed to track and monitor blood glucose levels in real-time throughout the day and night. It’s especially helpful for people with diabetes. Today, though, people are realizing its benefits for health and weight loss.
Most continuous glucose monitors have six key features:
- Sensor: A CGM system includes a small sensor that is typically inserted just under the skin, often on the abdomen. Today, they’re made to discreetly slide under the sleeve of your t-shirt. This sensor contains a tiny electrode that measures glucose levels in the interstitial fluid (that’s the fluid that surrounds the cells) under the skin.
- Transmitter: The sensor is connected to a transmitter and attached to your skin, which wirelessly sends the glucose data to your phone or, for someone who’s diabetic, an insulin pump.
- Display Device: You can watch your real-time glucose data on a display device or through an app on your phone.
- Continuous Monitoring: While traditional glucose monitoring methods involve multiple fingerstick tests, CGMs keep track of your blood glucose levels continuously all day and night. You’ll be able to see how your levels change over 24 hours and find trends and patterns.
- Alerts: Most CGMs can also notify you if glucose levels rise too high or fall too low.
- Data Analysis: CGMs store your data so that you and your healthcare provider can analyze any trends and adjust medication, diet, or lifestyle habits for better blood sugar balance.
Why Tracking Blood Sugar Matters
We all need sugar in our blood. It provides our cells with the energy they need to function. When blood sugar is too high for too long, however, all sorts of long-term and serious health problems follow.
Heart disease, strokes, vision loss, nerve problems, and kidney disease are just a few to name. Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) can also damage the vessels that supply blood to vital organs.
Blood sugar also hugely affects body weight. Insulin is a key hormone involved in fat storage and weight gain. When insulin levels are elevated, it impairs our body’s ability to burn fat for energy.
Insulin levels tend to mirror glucose levels. If your blood sugar level rises, insulin soon follows. Balanced blood sugar can help you lower your insulin levels and enter a fat-burning state.
Can a CGM Help Me Lose Weight?
Let’s get down to the real question: Will a CGM make me slimmer? Healthy lifestyle habits that you can stick with long-term are key to successful weight management. CGMs can make the job a lot easier. Here are four reasons why:
1. Outsmart Your Snacking
When you eat, your cells take the glucose from the food and use it for energy. To do this, your body has to release insulin. The higher your blood sugar rises, the more insulin you need to process it.
When your body has more sugar than it’s used to, it rapidly produces insulin in an attempt to keep the levels consistent. This causes blood glucose to decrease, which results in a sudden drop in energy levels—the sugar crash.
A CGM can help you minimize blood sugar spikes and crashes by helping you see, in real-time, how certain foods affect your blood sugar. You can stick with the food that keeps your blood sugar stable so you don’t crash and crave high-calorie snacks between meals.
2. Soften the Effects of Stress
Stress and weight loss make terrible bedfellows. With a CGM, you can track how stress affects your glucose levels and then use stress-management strategies to keep stress in check. A serene mind and balanced blood sugar are a dynamic duo for shedding extra pounds.
3. Fine-Tune Your Food Choices
There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all diet. We’re all physically unique, and CGMs offer a personalized approach to nutrition. You can watch how your body responds to carbs, protein, and fat. This information can help you create a menu that fuels your body efficiently and promotes weight loss.
4. Get Wiser During Workouts
When we’re active, our body uses glucose to fuel muscles. Most professional athletes, therefore, use carbs as the primary source of energy before their training and after to restore glycogen deposits.
The number of carbs people eat before and after training is usually estimated based on how many calories they burned, their macro needs, and how they feel. But a CGM can help here. Having a clear and continuous tracking of blood glucose levels in real-time, you can make more accurate decisions regarding carb intake around training and maximize your performance without compromising your health.
Is a CGM Right for Me?
A continuous glucose monitor can be a game-changer for weight loss. By providing real-time insights into how your body responds to food, exercise, and stress, CGMs help you make informed decisions and understand the impact of different macronutrients on your blood glucose levels. They allow you to time your meals effectively and tailor your exercise routine for maximum fat burn.
Try a trusted brand, like Nutrisense, for smarter, more sustainable weight loss.
A Personal Approach to Blood Sugar Balance
Continuous glucose monitors aren’t just for diabetics. These little tools can empower and inform you on your health journey. CGMs get rid of the guesswork. By providing real-time insights into your body’s responses to food, exercise, and stress, CGMs can help you reach your weight loss goals more easily.
