I am obsessed with my continuous glucose monitor. Managing insulin release is everything in the prevention of many chronic diseases and this thing allows me to approximate that release really well. Enjoy my story!
If you have ever had blood sugar problems you understand the agony involved in having to prick your finger to assess your status. Those days are over.
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) feels like the future. It feels like you are a cyborg when you wear it. The computer (that stores 8 hours worth of data) is now are part of you and you of it. You must travel through the day as one avoiding carbs at all costs.
When you are hooked up you can’t stand the thought of your graph going the wrong way. You avoid carbs. Period.
The best way to describe the impact this monitor has had on me is to think about Fitbits and step counting. You think achieving 10,000 steps in one day is motivating? How about trying to eat so low carb that your blood sugar doesn’t rise above 6.0 (Canadian units)? It is fun, exciting and rewarding.
But, where is the benefit?
The benefit is for keeping insulin low. This is really helpful in weight loss as insulin is the main driver of weight gain.
The main use of the CGM is to help type 1 diabetics to manage exogenous (prescription) insulin requirements. In my clinic we use it to help type 2 diabetics reduce their need for medications.
Here’s how it goes:
- patient starts CGM
- they eat normally for 2 weeks
- they come back to the office, we plug the machine into my computer and review the data
- where ever we had major blood sugar swings consistently we make subtle diet changes
- blood sugar control improves
This facilitates a proper dietary solution to type 2 diabetes recovery. It works, people like it, it is motivating and makes eating healthy fun.
Since posting this video I accidentally knocked my monitor off by hitting it on my desk. My new one will arrive any day. I am looking forward to trying new foods and exercise plans to see how my glucose control is impacted.
Until then,
Dr. David Duizer ND