CGM
Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs)
Optimizing blood sugar (glucose) levels is the cornerstone of metabolic health and a key factor in maximizing longevity. There are various methods of tracking metabolic health, but one of the tools we can use is the continuous glucose monitor (CGM).
What is a CGM?
CGMs are small implantable devices inserted over your triceps muscle.
They continuously monitor blood glucose and connect easily to an app on your phone, allowing you to track baseline glucose values and any changes over time.
Purpose of a CGM
CGMs are designed to provide gentle behavioral nudges toward improved health and dietary choices. They are not intended to create feelings of:
Obsession
Panic
Anxiety
Fear
Who Should NOT Use a CGM
Patients with a history of disordered eating
Patients who experience negative emotions or obsessions from using a CGM
Patients who simply prefer not to use one
Key Parameters to Focus On
For those who choose to use CGMs, we recommend monitoring and optimizing:
Fasting Glucose (ideally under 100mg/dL and even better, under 90 mg/dL)
Average Glucose
Spike Height
Additional Notes on CGM
Lifestyle factors such as sleep, exercise, and stress can significantly affect glucose readings:
Better sleep and less stress often lead to improved glucose values.
Exercise may temporarily raise or lower glucose, but the long-term benefits far outweigh any short-term spikes.