Tracking Blood Sugar

Tracking blood sugar might sound like something only diabetics need to do, but I’m here to tell you it can offer valuable insights for everyone! My first experience with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) left me humbled as I discovered the powerful connection between glucose levels and overall health. Over the past few weeks, I've been using the Lingo CGM by Abbott, a key player in diabetes care, and I believe monitoring glucose may soon become essential for people beyond just diabetics.

What is Lingo and How Does it Work?

Abbott's Lingo is a compact, circular biosensor that adheres to the back of the arm, offering real-time glucose tracking through a tiny sensor that reads levels in interstitial fluid. This has been a game changer since it allows consumers access to technology previously reserved for medical prescriptions. While companies like Dexcom have been competing in this space, Abbott’s push for consumer technology marks an important shift, making glucose tracking accessible to anyone looking to understand their health better.

Research indicates that glucose levels play a significant role in metabolic health, influencing not just diabetes risk, but also energy use, weight management, and overall wellness. High glucose levels can indicate an array of issues, including insulin resistance and stress-related health problems.

Understanding the Importance of Blood Sugar Monitoring

When we eat, our bodies convert food into usable energy—primarily glucose. A spike in glucose after meals is normal, but prolonged elevated levels can trigger serious health issues, making monitoring crucial. CGMs, like Lingo, provide a continuous stream of data, allowing us to make informed lifestyle changes, such as adjusting our diet and activity levels to keep our glucose in check.

For instance, I've noticed that simple practices like taking a walk post-meal or incorporating protein before carbohydrates can stabilize blood sugar spikes. This newfound awareness comes with the support of valuable insights offered by the Lingo app.

Getting Started with Lingo

Launching at CES 2022, Lingo has quickly gained popularity for its ease of use and affordability. A biosensor costs $49, providing two weeks of data. For ongoing monitoring, a subscription for three months is available for $249. However, notably, Lingo currently caters only to iPhone users, leaving Android users to turn to competitors like Dexcom’s Stelo CGM.

Setting up was straightforward—download the app, create an account, clean the application site, and apply the sensor. The Lingo app offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to see glucose levels in real-time and access tips for maintaining optimal glucose levels.

Pros and Cons of the Lingo App

The Lingo app stands out with its transparent glucose goals and educational resources. It outlines what constitutes a healthy range (70-140 mg/dL) and explains how to interpret glucose spikes. However, some features, like the 'Lingo Count,' which tracks daily glucose spikes, feel unnecessary and could be clearer. While the motivational messages aim to encourage healthier choices, they can come off as patronizing.

One amusing suggestion from the app was to do 20 squats after a coffee spike—it's all in good fun, but perhaps a bit overly directive.

Comparing Lingo and Stelo

Having previously used the Stelo CGM by Dexcom, I felt better prepared for the Lingo experience. I appreciated how the Lingo app clearly distinguished between normal and concerning glucose levels while providing a comprehensible graphing system documenting glucose trends over time. Importantly, those with diagnosed diabetes should prefer Stelo for its broader glucose range, making it more applicable for medical evaluations.

Despite my blood sugar being consistently lower with Lingo, occasional dips raised questions. Upon investigating feelings of fatigue in the afternoons, I correlated them with my food choices, finding that inadequate protein and poor sleep contributed to energy crashes. Addressing these factors may prevent such occurrences.

Who Should Consider Using Lingo?

I believe tracking glucose levels with a CGM like Lingo is beneficial for everyone. A yearly check-in can help gauge how your body is handling sugar and provide insights into your general health. While diabetes and prediabetes patients should monitor their levels more closely, anyone can take advantage of the health insights provided by continuous monitoring.

In a world saturated with diet trends and wellness hype, Lingo provides direct feedback, helping users make informed decisions about their health. It could be the tool you need to optimize your daily routine and make meaningful health changes.

As for me, after experiencing both Lingo and Stelo, I plan to acquire another Lingo biosensor in a year to reassess my blood sugar patterns. With ongoing improvements to understanding and managing health, monitoring blood sugar may soon become a standard practice for everyone who wants to unlock their potential for a healthier life.