A Guide for People without Diabetes

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are devices that were initially developed for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes to help them identify swings in blood sugar before they cause complications. They have since gained popularity among health-conscious people who use them to help maintain steady fuel levels or avoid extreme glucose spikes that have been linked to a higher risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, some cancers, and death from any cause. Continuous glucose monitors track an individual’s blood sugar levels in real time via skin-piercing filaments that attach to the upper arm. They offer a more complete picture of blood sugar levels than conventional measures of blood sugar do, which only measure fasting glucose or the average blood sugar levels over the previous three months. Continuous glucose monitors measure postprandial glucose levels and provide data on how high an individual’s blood sugar rises after a meal.

Measuring postprandial glucose is essential to understanding how an individual’s body responds to carbohydrates as postprandial glucose levels are linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Continuous glucose monitors also offer objective information, serving as a kick in the pants to someone who aspires to exercise more or eat better. A 2021 study found that fitness trackers motivate inactive people to move more. However, CGMs are different from fitness trackers in two important respects: they are attached to the body and designed to be used for short periods through Bluetooth connectivity. The novelty effect of the technology may wear off after a while, but that does not negate its benefits.

While continuous glucose monitors may be beneficial in helping an individual make better food choices by identifying the foods that cause the largest spikes in blood glucose, research may be far behind practice in some key areas when it comes to monitoring every rise and fall in blood glucose. There is no evidence that normal glucose fluctuations are dangerous, so measuring every rise and fall in blood glucose may not be necessary. Additionally, while continuous glucose monitoring devices may have provided objective information, that information doesn’t mean much if individuals do not use it to improve their health outcomes. The cost of continuous glucose monitoring devices may also be prohibitive. Consequently, whether healthy individuals with no underlying conditions should use CGMs is a question that remains open.

In conclusion, while continuous glucose monitors may be useful in helping people maintain steady fuel levels or avoid extreme glucose spikes, they may not be suitable for everyone, and research may be far behind practice in some key areas. People without underlying conditions may not derive much benefit from CGMs, and the high cost may be prohibitive. Additionally, there is no evidence that normal glucose fluctuations are dangerous, so measuring every rise and fall in blood glucose may not be necessary. Finally, while CGMs may offer objective information, the information does not mean much if individuals do not use it to improve their health outcomes.



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