Why You Should Monitor Your Glucose Even If You Don't Have Diabetes

I often hear the question: "Why should I monitor my blood glucose?"

This is an excellent question because blood glucose monitoring is typically associated with conditions like diabetes. However, the significance of tracking your blood glucose goes far beyond diabetic concerns. It provides valuable insights into your diet, nutrition, sleep, and hormones.

Before we explore the reasons for monitoring blood glucose, let's set the stage. It's crucial to understand that a significant portion of the population is dealing with poor metabolic health. Public health data reveals a concerning decline in metabolic health over the past decade, with over 800 million people worldwide grappling with obesity. This decline in metabolic health is closely linked to an increased risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and is also associated with inflammation, fatty liver disease, PCOS in women, and insulin resistance.

The Main Issue

Our current healthcare system primarily focuses on treating individuals once they've become pre-diabetic or diabetic. Most of us visit the doctor for a yearly check-up and receive routine blood tests. However, unless our cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, or fasting blood glucose levels cross the threshold of abnormality, we remain unaware of any changes in our metabolic health. Clinical care is often reactive, rather than preventive, contributing to the decline in our metabolic health, while we mistakenly believe we are perfectly healthy.

A Spectrum of Health

Metabolic health is not a binary state of either being healthy or unhealthy; it's a spectrum. Understanding where you stand on this spectrum is the first step toward safeguarding your health and preventing chronic conditions down the line.

Hidden Decline

Metabolic health often deteriorates without obvious symptoms. It's subtle and might go unnoticed until it becomes a severe problem. Furthermore, many people are unaware of the tools available to address it before it becomes a significant concern.

Weight Isn't Everything

Contrary to common belief, an overweight or obese BMI doesn't necessarily indicate metabolic unhealthiness. Many individuals classified as obese based on BMI are metabolically healthy, while some with a normal BMI are metabolically unhealthy.

The Significance of Glucose Variability

Glucose variability matters as much, if not more, than average glucose and fasting glucose levels. When we consistently consume highly processed foods, neglect exercise, lack sleep, and experience high stress levels, our body's ability to regulate blood glucose effectively begins to decline. This deterioration contributes to metabolic dysfunction, leading to heart disease, oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and obesity.

Measuring for Management

We can't manage what isn't measured. Monitoring your blood glucose provides both immediate and long-term data points directly linked to your health. Lifestyle interventions, including exercise and dietary changes, can be powerful tools in preventing chronic conditions. Importantly, these issues are preventable, and by taking action through monitoring glucose and adjusting your lifestyle, you may extend your lifespan.

So, how can you monitor your blood glucose? There are various methods, but not all offer the same insights:

• Hemoglobin A1C Test: This test provides a 3-month average of blood glucose but doesn't capture glucose variability or offer comprehensive insights.
• Glucose Tolerance Test: It's a diagnostic test that doesn't indicate your position on the metabolic health spectrum.
• Glucometer: Provides immediate results but may be painful and doesn't offer long-term insights.
• CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor): This method provides real-time glucose data, offering valuable insights into your body's responses to lifestyle factors.

In addition to these monitoring methods, I include a comprehensive online assessment that takes a holistic view of your diet, symptoms, health history, and lifestyle to help you understand and improve your overall health. It also explores potential health conditions and nutrient deficiencies that might be contributing to your symptoms, offering insights into how your habits affect your health. This information empowers you to take an active role in your health long before problems arise.

In conclusion, metabolic health is interconnected with various health issues, but by monitoring and making lifestyle adjustments, you can take steps to prevent these conditions.

Getting healthy doesn't have to be complicated; use your biological data as your guide toward an improved and protected future.

 Take the next step in understanding your metabolic health: book a Metabolic Health Evaluation

This comprehensive assessment, combined with a one-hour consultation, will provide you with a priority roadmap which can help explain whats effecting your day-to-day health concerns and energy levels. This includes thyroid function, hormone levels, nutrient deficiencies and blood sugar.