While blood glucose monitors were originally designed for those with diabetes, they can be extremely useful for people who want to optimise their metabolic health. Learn about CGMs, how they work and why they are useful.

Key takeaways

• CGM devices continuously measure blood glucose levels, providing valuable insights into an individual's health, with benefits extending to non-diabetic individuals as well.
• Non-diabetic individuals can use CGMs for improved nutritional awareness, enhanced athletic performance, weight management, and metabolic health monitoring.
• While CGM devices offer valuable information, their readings may differ from standard blood glucose meters, and users should consult their healthcare team for guidance on interpreting data and making informed decisions about their health.

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices have long been known to provide critical health benefits for individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. However, recent evidence suggests that even people without diabetes can benefit from using a CGM device. In this blog, we'll explore what a CGM is, how it works, and how non-diabetic individuals can use them to optimise their health.

What is a CGM device?

A CGM is a type of medical equipment that measures blood glucose levels continuously throughout the day. These small sensors are inserted under the skin (usually on the back of the upper arm) and wirelessly transmit data to a mobile app. By providing real-time blood glucose readings, CGMs offer invaluable insights into an individual's health and overall wellbeing.

Benefits of CGMs for non-diabetic individuals

While CGM systems were originally designed for diabetes management, non-diabetic individuals can also use them to monitor their blood sugar levels and make informed lifestyle choices. Some benefits of using a CGM device for non-diabetic health management include:

• Improved nutritional awareness: by tracking glucose levels, individuals can better understand how different foods impact their blood sugar and make healthier food choices
• Enhanced athletic performance: athletes can use CGMs to monitor their glucose levels during exercise, optimising their performance by ensuring proper fueling and avoiding blood sugar crashes.
• Weight management: a CGM can help identify patterns of blood sugar fluctuations related to weight gain or loss, allowing users to make necessary adjustments to their diet and exercise routines.
• Metabolic health monitoring: regular glucose monitoring can provide early warning signs of metabolic health issues, such as insulin resistance, before they become more serious.

Types of CGM devices

There are two main types of CGM devices:

• Glucose-only CGMs: These devices measure blood glucose levels exclusively, providing real-time data for users to track and analyse.
• Multi-parameter CGMs: These devices measure additional health parameters, such as ketones, lipids, and haemoglobin A1c, offering a more comprehensive picture of an individual's overall health.

A popular CGM device, such as the FreeStyle Libre 2, allows you to monitor your glucose levels by scanning your sensor with your phone. This continuous monitoring allows users and their healthcare providers to make informed decisions regarding diet, exercise, and overall health management.

Accuracy of CGM devices

While continuous glucose monitoring devices provide valuable information, it's important to note that their readings may differ from a standard blood glucose meter. However, researchers and healthcare professionals are continuously working to improve CGM accuracy and reduce the need for finger prick comparisons.

It is important to note that CGMs and finger pricks are different in the way they measure glucose levels. CGMs measure glucose levels in interstitial fluid, which is the fluid surrounding cells in the body's tissues. Finger pricks involve taking a small blood sample, usually from the fingertip, to measure glucose levels directly in the blood. While both methods provide valuable information, there may be a slight lag between interstitial fluid and blood glucose levels.

Who can benefit from using a CGM device?

Although CGMs are most commonly prescribed for diabetes care, non-diabetic individuals can also benefit from using these devices for health optimisation. People who are particularly interested in monitoring their glucose levels for athletic performance, weight management, or metabolic health may find CGMs to be an invaluable tool.

How to get started with a CGM sensor

If you're interested in using a blood glucose monitor for health management and optimisation are aren't sure if it's suitable for you, it's essential to consult with your healthcare team first. They can recommend the best product for your needs and educate you on how to interpret the data and make informed decisions about your health.

Vively is an innovative metabolic health app that integrates with CGMs to provide people with the tools and support to optimise their lifestyle and metabolic health long-term.