Unlocking Metabolic Health

By Dr Melinda Whitfield

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) have traditionally been a vital tool for individuals managing Type 1 and 2 diabetes, allowing them to closely monitor their blood sugar levels without the need for daily finger pricks. Increasingly, however, people without diabetes are discovering the value of CGMs to gain insights into their metabolic health and how their bodies respond to different foods and lifestyle factors.

Equipped with this insight, you can make personalised dietary adjustments that not only balance your energy levels, but may also reduce chronic inflammation, supporting long-term health and reducing the risks associated with issues like heart disease and cognitive decline.

Personalised Insights into Blood Sugar

One of the most significant benefits of using a CGM is the personalised information it provides about how specific foods, daily activities, and stressors affect your blood sugar. Unlike broad dietary guidelines, CGMs give you a real-time view of how your body responds to what you eat, offering valuable insights that can help you feel more energised, focused, and motivated to make healthier food choices.

Supporting Midlife Health and Hormonal Balance

Women moving into the peri and menopausal periods of their lives may experience metabolic changes related to their shifting hormone levels and struggle with symptoms like fatigue, difficulty losing weight, and cravings. CGMs can be especially useful in this context. By wearing a CGM, women can see how their food choices are impacting their sugar levels, allowing them to make choices that minimise spikes and support better weight management. These adjustments can also help reduce fatigue, cravings, and mood swings that often accompany hormonal changes.

Uncovering Hidden Causes of Anxiety and Mood Swings

Many people don’t realise that symptoms like anxiety, irritability, and fatigue can be closely related to blood sugar dips. If your diet includes quick-digesting carbohydrates or you go for long periods without eating, you may experience these fluctuations more acutely. With a CGM, you might begin noticing that feelings of stress or anxiety often correlate with low blood sugar readings. Recognising this can be transformative, as it shows how adjusting your eating habits can help prevent mood swings and boost your sense of well-being.

Motivating Healthy Choices and Lifestyle Changes

Seeing your blood sugar levels in real-time is a powerful motivator. For example, if a certain food spikes your blood sugar, you may be more inclined to replace it with a lower-glycemic option. These changes, accumulated over time, lead to significant improvements in metabolic health, enhanced energy levels, better sleep, and more balanced moods. This data-driven approach helps turn healthy choices into sustainable habits.

How the CGM Works: Practical and Accessible Technology

Available for online purchase and easy self-application, CGMs offer a wealth of data to empower anyone to make informed choices for a healthier lifestyle.

Continuous glucose monitors are easy to use and apply at home. The device, worn on the back of the upper arm, involves a simple one-time prick during application to insert a small sensor just beneath the skin. This sensor measures glucose levels in the interstitial fluid - an area between cells - offering continuous readings of your blood sugar for up to 14 days. Most CGM devices then allow you to track and review your glucose data using a free app on your smartphone, where real-time readings and historical trends provide valuable insights into how your body responds to specific foods, exercise, and even stress. Additionally, the data collected by your CGM can be downloaded and shared with your dietician or medical doctor for further insights and expert advice.

Important Considerations

While CGMs are covered by many medical aids for Type 1 diabetics, others seeking to use CGMs for wellness purposes generally pay out of pocket, with costs around R900 for a device that lasts 14 days. Given the benefits to metabolic health, mental clarity, and overall well-being, many people find CGMs to be a worthwhile investment for optimising their health.

With the detailed insights CGMs provide, more and more people are discovering that understanding blood sugar isn't just for those with diabetes - it’s a valuable tool for anyone aiming to achieve a healthier, more balanced life.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr Melinda Whitfield is a family GP, and co-owner of Health with Heart - a holistic wellness solution that includes a warm-hearted practice in Sandton; bespoke corporate wellness programmes; unique retreats and medical travel experiences; an educational podcast and portal; and a community outreach initiative. For more information or to get in touch, follow @health_w_heart on Instagram or @HealthwithHeartDoctors on Facebook, or visit www.healthwithheart.co.za.

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