Remarkable Benefits of CGM for Glucose Management and Dietary Adjustments

A continuous glucose monitoring device can be invaluable for finding an optimal eating regimen and managing blood glucose non-invasively for patients.

Ancient wisdom and science emphasize the profound connection between nutrition and health. Specifically, the foods we consume, such as excessive carbohydrates, adversely influence blood sugar levels, causing undesirable health consequences. In contrast, proteins and healthy fats have less impact on blood sugar.

We now know that the bloodstream can effectively manage only a teaspoon of sugar at any given moment. When the sugar level exceeds this limit, the body promptly distributes it to muscle and fat cells. I wrote several articles about these processes, so I don’t go into detail here.

In short, if these cells cannot correctly accept glucose, severe issues like insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, prediabetes, and, ultimately, diabetes may arise.

Untreated and advanced type II diabetes can potentially lead to more severe complications, including kidney problems, vision loss, heart disease, dementia, and even the need for amputation.

In our toolkit for maintaining good health, there’s a crucial tool that we must use wisely and timely. It is called Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM).

While anyone can benefit from continuous blood glucose monitoring as a proactive health measure, its importance is particularly pronounced for people with diabetes or prediabetes. I will summarize its significance by exploring its mechanisms, impacts, and implications.

We might not need CGM for a lifetime, but it is critical initially to comprehend how different foods might impact blood sugar levels, identify those that cause an increase, and remove them from our diets. Through daily monitoring, CGM becomes a valuable tool in choosing and consuming the right foods and managing blood glucose proactively.

Possibly, you hear about The Hawthorne Effect. It refers to the phenomenon where people modify their behavior when they are aware that they are being observed. So, CGM might be like another person watching us.

In the context of monitoring blood sugar levels, the awareness of being observed can lead to conscious efforts to make healthier food choices and manage food consumption more effectively. This heightened awareness helps people choose better dietary options and regulate their food intake.

As studies indicate, the higher the blood glucose, the higher the death. For example, as documented in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, Several studies over the last decade have linked hyperglycemia on hospital admission with subsequent mortality risk. The evidence is strongest for patients with myocardial infarction or acute coronary syndromes.

As documented in this 2021 review by the American Diabetes Association, “The availability of reliable continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems has proven to be a major innovation in diabetes management and research. Most current CGM systems are approved for 7- to 14-day use and use a wire-tipped glucose oxidase sensor inserted in subcutaneous tissue to monitor glucose concentrations in interstitial fluid.”

These researchers informed that, to the best of their knowledge, there were no published data on the historical and recent use of CGM in clinical trials of pharmacological agents used to treat diabetes. They analyzed 2,032 clinical trials of 40 antihyperglycemic therapies currently on the market with a study start date between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2019.

Additionally, CGM proves beneficial in identifying insulin resistance, offering more meaningful insights than A1C when practitioners assess overall trends and averages.

This can be an invaluable tool for family physicians to support their clients as a preventative measure for diabetes management.

Given the significant benefits and minimal risks associated with CGM for these patients, I anticipate that clinical trials will be conducted soon. In my view, it’s a straightforward decision, but we need to champion it as a society. Every meaningful voice matters to make progress.

Presently, CGM is accessible solely through a prescription, and in my circles, some diabetic patients have never heard about it; therefore, I wrote this critical piece, hoping to create awareness for my readers. Please share it with those struggling with metabolic issues and type II diabetes. I firmly believe that type II diabetes is reversible with personal responsibility and professional help.

However, reversing chronic disorders like diabetes is not easy. The mechanisms underlying the reversibility of type II diabetes are complex and multifactorial and require significant investment. It requires substantial effort from patients, professionals, and caregivers. Rejuvenating cells, tissues, organs, and systems also takes time.

The earlier we identify the problems, the better they can be treated. As informed by the CDC, “90% of 88 million Americans might have pre-diabetes not knowingly”. Thus, we must prioritize our blood sugar management and create awareness for our loved ones, friends, colleagues, and community members.

What is CGM, and why do we need it?

As documented in this NIH book, CGM is becoming more widely established as evidence supporting its use has accumulated.

The data available through CGM can permit significantly more fine-tuned adjustments in insulin dosing and other therapies than spot testing from self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) can provide.

I’d like to summarize the key points of the book, my research in the field, and my experience with these technologies. Using this device helped me and my loved ones to find an ideal diet by trial and error.

For example, I am carb-intolerant as devices helped me to detect it, so a little carb instantly rises my blood sugar, but my wife can consume at least three times more carbs than me with less impact on her blood sugar.

CGM technologies for the automatic collection of data have spurred interest in noninvasive glucose monitoring as an additional tool for obtaining information about glucose levels.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) is a device that keeps track of our glucose (sugar) levels regularly. It has three parts: a display monitor (which can be our smartphone), a sensor placed under the skin, and a transmitter sending data to the monitor.

In the past, these devices were only used alongside traditional fingerstick glucose monitoring. But in July 2016, the FDA approved one CGM, Dexcom G5, to be used independently.

Newer versions don’t need calibration with fingerstick glucose. CGM helps by showing both past and real-time glucose data, helping spot low or high sugar levels, predicting possible low sugar, and noting fluctuations in glucose levels.

CGM brands like The Dexcom G6 and Medtronic Guardian Connect are extensively used. Research indicates that people using these devices encounter enhanced time within the target glucose range and fewer instances of hypoglycemia.

It can be a valuable tool for patients and doctors to adjust medication and lifestyle for better sugar control. There’s ongoing progress in connecting CGM with automated insulin delivery for an artificial pancreas.

CGM comes in two types: professional (used in clinics for data analysis) and personal (owned by patients for real-time glucose monitoring data).

These approaches translate to an improved quality of life and a lowered risk of immediate complications. For example, users of CGM have reported achieving better glycemic control and a decreased fear of hypoglycemia.

So, using CGM devices contributes to heightened patient confidence in managing diabetes and preventative measures for healthy people.

Five Remarkable Benefits and Use Cases of CGM

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) is pivotal in diabetes management, proven to enhance time in range, reduce hypoglycemia, improve quality of life, and optimize glycemic control — a recognized and valuable tool for healthcare professionals and patients.

1 — Real-time Monitoring

CGM devices offer uninterrupted glucose level measurements day and night. This real-time data provides a comprehensive understanding of glucose fluctuations, enabling timely adjustments to treatment plans and ultimately leading to improved glucose control.

2 — Alerts for Hypo and Hyperglycemia

CGM devices can promptly alert users to low or high glucose levels, aiding in the early detection and preventing severe complications. This feature minimizes the risk of hypoglycemic events or hyperglycemic crises.

3 — Insulin Dosing Optimization

CGM facilitates a nuanced understanding of how various factors impact glucose levels, allowing for personalized adjustments to insulin dosing. This precision reduces the likelihood of insulin overdosing or underdosing.

4 — Improved Glycemic Control

CGM maintains glucose levels within the target range, mitigating the risk of long-term complications such as cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, and retinopathy.

5 — Enhanced Quality of Life and Prevention of Acute Complications

Continuous monitoring alleviates the burden of frequent fingerstick tests, improving overall well-being by minimizing the impact of diabetes management on daily activities.

Timely alerts are crucial in preventing severe hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, potentially reducing hospitalizations and emergency room visits, thereby enhancing overall health outcomes.

Conclusions

The pivotal role of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) in diabetes management is undeniable. Studies consistently highlight its positive impact on time in range, reduced hypoglycemia, enhanced quality of life, and improved glycemic control. This acknowledgment positions CGM as a valuable tool for healthcare professionals and patients with diabetes.

With the proven benefits of CGM and its minimal risks, it is reasonable to anticipate future clinical trials exploring its broader applications. The rich real-time data CGM devices provide can potentially revolutionize diabetes care and contribute to preventive health measures. This opens avenues for innovation and further integration into holistic healthcare strategies.

While recognizing the promising aspects of CGM, as of now, accessibility is limited to prescription. Ensuring wider availability and exploring ways to streamline the prescription process can be instrumental in making this technology more accessible to those who stand to benefit from its potential. This careful consideration aligns with the broader goal of advancing diabetes care to improve our health and well-being.

One of CGM’s standout features is its ability to create personalized treatment plans by analyzing individual glucose patterns. This marks a significant stride in personalized medicine, offering more effective and targeted diabetes management.

CGM’s role extends beyond personalization; it contributes to cost-effective diabetes care. By enabling early intervention and preventing complications, CGM not only improves individual health outcomes but also holds the potential to reduce healthcare costs significantly.

CGM is indispensable for patients with diabetes or prediabetes. The amalgamation of its mechanisms, positive impacts on glycemic control and quality of life, and implications for personalized medicine and cost-effective healthcare, supported by real-world case studies, make CGM a cornerstone in modern diabetes care.

For those who have no metabolic condition, CGM serves as an invaluable tool for guiding dietary choices. We can start a personalized trial-and-error approach by closely monitoring how different foods influence blood sugar levels.

For a few weeks, this experiential approach provides a nuanced understanding of nutritional biochemistry, empowering us to make informed and optimal food choices for our overall well-being.

Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.

To inform my new readers, I wrote numerous articles that might inform and inspire you. Some topics I cover are brain and cognitive function, significant health conditions, valuable nutrients, ketogenic lifestyle, self-healing, weight management, writing/reading, and humor.

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