Unveiling the Power of Continuous Glucose Monitoring: A Personal Journey
A Personal Exploration of Continuous Glucose Monitoring's Impact on Health and Wellness.
Welcome back to our ongoing exploration of the incredible world within us! I am Dr.Paul Manhas, MD, Dad (x2), Husband, and co-owner of Manhas Health Co.
I'm thrilled to introduce a new series of topics that will offer a deep dive into the world of personalized health and wellness insights. We'll embark on a journey together to explore the latest advancements in health technology, lifestyle optimization, and evidence-based practices for enhancing your well-being.
Today, I'm excited to kick off our series with a foundational topic: Glucose Monitoring. Glucose, the body's primary fuel source, plays a crucial role in our overall health and well-being. By understanding how our bodies respond to different foods, activities, and lifestyle factors, we can unlock valuable insights into our metabolic health and make informed decisions to optimize our well-being.
So, what exactly is Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)? Essentially, its a device that tracks your glucose levels 24/7, providing real-time feedback on how your diet,exercise, and lifestyle choices are impacting your blood sugar levels. The data is seamlessly synced to your phone, allowing you to monitor your glucose levels anytime, anywhere.
Now, you might be wondering: Why should I bother with CGM if I don't have diabetes? Well, let me tell you, even for someone like me who doesn't have any glucose-related issues, CGM has been a game-changer.
I recently wore a CGM sensor for 1 month to help learn how my habits were impacting my blood glucose. I checked my blood panel semi-regularly and I have a good idea of what my hemoglobin A1C averages (Hemoglobin A1C is an average estimate of what you blood glucose has been for the past 3 months).
Here are my prior Hemoglobin A1C levels with dates:
April 9th 2023 - 5.1
November 22nd 2022- 5.0
May 27th 2022 - 5.2
Dec 16th 2019 - 5.2
For reference, I personally consider hemoglobin A1C to be:
Normal from 4.7 to 5.3
Early evidence of impairment between 5.4 to 5.6
Pre-diabetes to range between 5.7 to 6.4 and
Diabetes is a hemoglobin A1C of 6.5 and higher.
I firmly believe that as medical professionals, we are too late to intervene when it comes to blood glucose and insulin resistance. Most physicians may warn patients that their blood glucose is nearing diabetes, or that they are in the pre-diabetes range when the hemoglobin A1C is above 6.0.
If you are in British Columbia, you'll even notice that Lifelabs only shows hemoglobin A1C as abnormal above 6.0. The problem is, the later we intervene, the more difficult it is to reverse insulin resistance. This is why I think it is important to be proactive and aware of what our blood glucose is doing. During my month-long self-experiment, I learned a lot about my body.
Here are some key insights I've gleaned from my experience:
Personalized Insights: CGM provides invaluable insights into how different foods, activities, and stress levels affect your blood sugar in real time. By analyzing the data, you can identify patterns and make informed decisions to optimize your health.
Behavioural Changes: Armed with real-time glucose data, I've made subtle yet impactful changes to my lifestyle. Whether it's adjusting my meal timing, choosing lower glycemic index foods, or incorporating more physical activity, CGM has empowered me to take control of my health proactively.
Prevention is Key: They say prevention is better than cure, and CGM is a powerfultool for early intervention. By identifying glucose fluctuations before they escalate intofull-blown metabolic issues, you can take proactive steps to prevent diabetes,obesity, and other metabolic disorders.
Holistic Health Approach: CGM encourages a holistic approach to health by emphasizing the interconnectedness of diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management. By optimizing these lifestyle factors, you can achieve not only better glucose control but also improved overall well-being. Whether you're managing diabetes, striving for optimal health, or simply curiousabout your body's metabolic responses, CGM offers valuable insights and opportunities for growth. If you're intrigued by the idea, I highly encourage you to explore CGM and unlock the power of personalized health monitoring.
In the newsletters that follow, we'll analyze specific results I obtained from using theglucose monitoring device and interpret each of them fully. From fluctuations in blood sugar levels to the impact of different dietary choices and exercise routines, we'll explore how these insights can empower you to make positive changes in your life.
I am excited to share this data with all of you. My hope is that you can learn from my personal experience and make positive changes to your own routines. Stay tuned for our first deep dive into glucose monitoring and its impact on metabolic health.
Until then, keep exploring, stay curious, and remember that your health is your greatest asset.
With gratitude and warmth,
Dr. Paul Manhas, MD. CCFP
Founder & Director of Performance Services at Manhas Health Co. Clinical Instructor, UBC Faculty of Medicine
Follow me on Instagram for more insights and Q&A: @drpaulmanhas