Continuous glucose monitors, knowns as CGM's were originally developed to help diabetics track their blood glucose levels.
The Nutrisense GGM is now available for everyone, you don't need to have diabetes to use it, and in this article, we will focus on why a CGM monitor can be beneficial for everyone - even if it is just for one month.
So, if you're trying to lose weight, optimize, energy, improve athletic performance, or brain function then a CGM monitor can help you to see how your blood sugar levels are affecting your performance.
Being diabetic requires frequent blood glucose monitoring, and using a glucose meter was the only way to do this. Doing it the old way, you needed to prick your finger to check your glucose levels using a glucose meter.
In reality, however, using a glucose meter isn't that great. In fact, it's painful. And when you have to use it every single day, the process can be traumatizing.
This is where wearable devices that offer real-time glucose tracking like a continuous glucose monitor or CGM can not only make this process easier, but also more accurate as they track 24/7
...... and there is no need for a referral from your doctor.
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About The Nutrisense Continuous Glucose Monitor
The Nutrisense CGM is one of the latest blood glucose monitors to get people's attention- and it's for good reasons. Now, before we get to the pros, it's a good idea to get a deeper understanding of the device first.
At first glance, you'd find nothing special about Nutrisense's CGM. It's a small, non-invasive device that you attach to the back of your arm to monitor your glucose levels for around two weeks. It offers a non-invasive way of keeping track of your glucose levels 24 hours a day, 7 days away.
Now, here's where it becomes different.
Instead of just monitoring your blood glucose level, and trying to work out what all the numbers mean, Nutrisense combines it with expert guidance.
You won't just know your glucose values, but you'll also have the guidance of registered dietitian support to work with you one on one, to analyze your numbers.
Whether weight loss, is your goal, preventing chronic disease, or just improving energy levels, your dietitian will help you make sense of the glucose readings and help you with a personalized nutrition plan.
Track Blood Glucose Levels With Nutrisense CGM
What's interesting about Nutrisense CGM is that it doesn't just offer real-time glucose tracking. With the app (which we'll talk more about later), you can also get a better understanding of your meal composition, habits and routines, stress, sleep, and even physical activities.
Meal Tracking With The Nutrisense CGM
Let's start with your food intake and eating plan.
If you have been monitoring your blood sugar level, you probably already know that the food you eat has a direct impact on your blood glucose. Increasing your intake of rice, fruits, bread, and drinks can cause a glucose spike.
With Nutrisense CGM, you'll be able to understand which food items you should stay away from. This gives you a chance to modify your diet and understand your peak glucose, average glucose, and baseline glucose levels before and after eating your favourite meals.
The results can be surprising, foods that may spike your blood glucose may be fine for someone else, but everyone is different.
Activity Tracking
According to experts, physical activity can make your body more sensitive to insulin. This can cause your blood sugar to become lower after you finished your workout.
Using a device that can track both your glucose level and physical activity can help you understand if your current workout routine and activity plan are working for you.
Also just going for a walk after eating a high carb meal will keep you glucose lower, for some people this is all they need to do to stop spikes in their glucose, it is not just about the glycemic variability in food.
This is why the Nutrisense CGM is great, it is not a device you have to wear forever and even just using it for a month can help to understand how foods and activities affect your glucose response.
Sleep tracking
Not having enough sleep can increase your insulin resistance. This translates to increased blood glucose score.
And here's another thing:
When you're sleep deprived, your appetite gets an instant boost. This can cause you to eat more than you should, triggering weight gain and increasing your risk of diabetes and obesity.
A drop in blood glucose during the night can cause a surge in cortisol, this will lead you to waking up in the middle of the night, often feeling wide awake and taking a while to fall back to sleep.
The Nutrisense CGM will help you to track your night time glucose levels and see if this is contributing to poor sleep quality.
Stress tracking
It's hard to avoid stress these days. Whether you're at home or at work, you're bound to experience some form of stress.
Monitoring your stress levels and seeing how your glucose fluctuates in response can help you know what to do to keep the levels within the normal range.
The are many things you can do that will help you to minimize stress, from meditation to breathing exercises such as the 4-7-8 breathing technique.
A CGM monitor can help you see how controlling stress can also help with glucose control.
How To Get Started To Track Your Blood Sugar Levels
Applying the Sensor
After unboxing your unit, the next thing you have to do is look at the back of your arm. Find a portion where you can feel the most fat.
Ideally, you should switch arms between sensors.
Once you're able to pick the best spot, get an alcohol wipe and clean the area. Consider exfoliating if you notice your arm is oily. This helps ensure better attachment.
The test kit will come with step-by-step instructions.
Take the actual sensor pack and peel it off. Next, twist the sensor applicator. When you connect the applicator to the sensor pack, make sure to line up the dark marks.
If you are having a hard time connecting the pieces, pushing them down against a hard surface helps. Keep pushing until you hear a click.
Now, take the sensor and firmly push it against your arm. This part shouldn't make you feel too uncomfortable. Feeling a tiny pinch is normal.
To reduce the risk of accidental removal, it's a good idea to use the adhesive bandage that comes with the pack. It helps protect the sensor too.
In case you have a really active lifestyle, you can use extra skin adhesive wipes.
Take note that each unit lasts for just 14 days or 2 weeks. After such time, you'll receive a notification that your CGM sensor is about to expire.
Using the Nutrisense CGM App
The NutriSense app is quite easy to use.
To start, you'll need to download the app from the Apple or Google Play Store. After downloading, you'll be able to register using your email address and password.
For a smoother process, remember to turn on the NFC option. You'll find it in the Settings menu.
During the first couple of days, it's a good idea to continue your usual routine. If you see a peak glucose reading that's higher than 140 mg/dL, take note of it.
In the second week, you can start tweaking your exercise routine or the diet you are eating based on your CGM data.
You can alter the meal timing or exercise or even switch up ingredients. For example experiment with adding more protein to a high-carb meal, or try adding more fats and checking the effects on your glucose levels.
This can help you get a better understanding of how certain meals and food combinations affect your blood sugar.
You can continue making changes in your daily activities and observing your glucose levels and blood glucose spikes, depending on your program and health goals.
Now, here's the fun part.
NutriSense CGM is more than just a continuous glucose monitoring app. It comes with registered dietitians who are trained in helping people experience better metabolic health and avoid certain health issues. They can help break down your numbers and give you insights on how to improve them.
The nice thing about this type of support is that it's free for the first month. This gives you a chance to fully understand what you're signing up for. If you're happy with the service, you can continue by just paying $50 per month.
I also work one on one with clients to help them understand what their results mean and how to optimize them, but getting the first month of dietitian support is a bonus as they know the ins and outs of this CGM device.
How do you use the service?
Well, the app comes with an in-app chat feature. All you need to do is initiate a chat with your assigned dietitian and you can expect a response within the same day if it's a weekday.
The Programs
Picking the right NutriSense CGM program for you isn't that difficult. Basically, you'll just choose the subscription length and the amount of money you're comfortable paying upfront. The subscription price ranges from $199 to $350. As for the program length, you can choose from 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.
To help you make the right decision in picking programs, you'll be asked to answer a health questionnaire. This allows you to get a program that fits your needs.
If you just want to optimize your diet and activity levels maybe one month is enough for you, or if you have chronic health issues or type 2 diabetes then tracking for 3 months or longer maybe a better option for you.
Nutrisense CGM Review - Final Thoughts
NutriSense's continuous monitoring device shows real time glucose data and this is the major feature. Whether you're keeping your blood sugar levels within normal range or you're just curious to know how your glucose levels react to your routines and habits, you'll find it useful in your health journey.
Your standard blood test with your doctor only gives you fasting glucose levels and not how you respond to food, and this is not great for assessing your insulin sensitivity.
The reports and numbers are easy to understand. And if you still struggle to determine what they mean, you can access its in-app chat feature to talk to a dietitian. The first month is free, and that's a good thing considering the price you have to pay for one appointment with your local nutritionist.
In addition to that, the programs are also affordable. Apart from the features you'll get to enjoy after signing up, you will also receive new CGM and sensors for each month you're subscribed.
The downside?
You'll need a prescription before you can sign up and order the NutriSense CGM. Fortunately, you can easily get one through a medical consult they offer, and this is included in the price.
A CGM only measures blood glucose levels and does not monitor blood Ketones, so while it is still good to do on a ketogenic diet, it won't monitor your Ketone levels.
Using a CGM monitor is a great way to optimize your health potential, currently it is only offered in the U.S, but I am looking forward to this being available worldwide.
A CGM device is available in most countries but you usually have to have diabetes to get a prescription, and it is not offered to people just trying to optimize their overall health.