Influencers Discover New Wellness Trend Originally Designed for Diabetics

It seems like influencers have latched onto yet another wellness craze — but it’s worth noting that this one’s been a staple for diabetics for quite some time.

First, there were GLP-1 drugs. Now, social media figures are turning to a different tool that’s been aiding those with diabetes for decades, touting its ability to enhance diet, exercise, and overall longevity.

The latest hot item? Continuous glucose monitors, or CGMs. These small wearable sensors keep tabs on blood sugar levels around the clock.

Initially intended for diabetics, CGMs are usually worn on the back of the arm or the abdomen. The device has a tiny needle that places a slim filament under the skin, which continuously gauges glucose levels and transmits data to an app or another device.

For those managing diabetes, this technology can be transformative; it supports decisions regarding insulin dosing, meal choices, and exercise routines while also minimizing the risk of dangerously low blood sugar levels.

Now, CGMs have become a trendy accessory in the wellness realm.

Last year, the FDA approved the first over-the-counter CGM, Stelo, making it accessible to millions of non-diabetics looking to buy one.

Dexcom, the company behind the product, claims it allows users to “track glucose 24/7 to become a healthier you” and has even allied with Oura to give users combined data for sleep, recovery, and activity.

Since then, health-conscious consumers have gravitated towards these sensors, attracted by promises that tracking blood sugar can enhance metabolic health, aid in weight loss, improve athletic performance, and even help prevent illnesses by revealing the effects of food, stress, and exercise on the body.

Jessie Inchauspé, popularly known as Glucose Goddess, shared her experience applying a Stelo sensor in a sponsored Instagram Reel aimed at her six-plus million followers. With a background in biochemistry, she has built a significant following around “simple tools” for managing blood sugar spikes without adhering to restrictive diets.

Dr. Jennifer Ashton, an OB-GYN and former ABC News medical correspondent, conducted a month-long CGM “wellness experiment” to show her nearly 700,000 followers how different foods impacted her glucose. Notably, both Ashton and Inchauspé do not have diabetes.

High-profile endorsements from celebrities like Nick Jonas and Lance Bass, both of whom have diabetes, have sparked interest among fans, regardless of their own health status.

However, some medical professionals express skepticism about the enthusiasm surrounding CGMs for those without diabetes.

Interpreting Blood Glucose Levels

Blood glucose serves as the body’s main energy source and naturally rises after eating before subsiding to normal levels. These fluctuations are part of regular metabolism, particularly post carbohydrate-rich meals. Repeated significant spikes over time can lead to various health problems, such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney issues, and weight gain.

For diabetics using insulin, CGMs are crucial in preventing hypoglycemia — low blood sugar — and enhancing glucose control through informed insulin dosing, meal preparation, and physical activity.

For others, though, the advantages remain less clear.

Researchers are still determining if monitoring glucose levels in healthy individuals yields better long-term health outcomes or significantly reduces disease risk. There’s also a concern that constant data monitoring might do more harm than good.

Endocrinologist Dr. Ayushi Dixit pointed out that for non-diabetics, using a continuous glucose monitor might lead to anxiety about natural glucose fluctuations. She attributes the trend to today’s data-driven wellness culture, where people often seek more numbers and metrics to optimize health.

While Dixit views CGMs as revolutionary for diabetics — a benefit backed by numerous clinical studies — she worries they might simply become “another number to fixate on” for healthy users.

Dr. Sadie Elisseou, a general internist, noted the rising popularity of CGMs among healthy individuals reflects the convergence of two prominent wellness trends: technology and longevity.

She mentioned that although these devices provide substantial data, there’s no solid evidence proving they enhance long-term health in those without diabetes. “Just because we can assess something doesn’t mean we should; more data isn’t always beneficial,” she stated.

A 2022 review found scant evidence that CGMs lead to improved health outcomes for non-diabetics. However, it predicted their integration into wellness and elite sports would continue as more consumers embraced personalized health tracking.

Elisseou’s viewpoint has developed over time. Initially dismissive of this trend as another instance of expensive medical technology filtering into mainstream wellness, she now recognizes the complexity involved.

She noted that insurance companies don’t widely prescribe CGMs for non-insulin-dependent people since they are often not deemed medically necessary. Still, she believes some healthy individuals could still derive benefits if they approach the technology with balanced expectations.

If someone is genuinely interested in understanding how particular meals, exercises, or lifestyle choices impact their blood sugar, they could gain valuable insights — as long as normal variances aren’t misinterpreted as health issues.

In her view, “If a non-diabetic wears a CGM for two weeks and consequently revamps their lifestyle to become healthier and extend their life, that’s medically worthwhile.”

“It’s a new world, and CGMs are a part of that.”