Short Wave Who Should Track Their Blood Sugar?
31 snips
Dec 1, 2025 Did you know that 1 in 3 people in the U.S. have prediabetes? With a recent FDA approval of over-the-counter continuous glucose monitors, many are now tracking their blood sugar. Diabetologist Dr. Sarah Kim explains how CGMs work and why our bodies need glucose as energy. Insights from personal experiences reveal how monitoring glucose can change eating habits and encourage exercise. Plus, learn about insulin resistance and its link to type 2 diabetes, and get tips for maintaining healthy habits during the holidays!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Personal CGM Experience
- Ping Huang tried an over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor and tracked spikes after carb-heavy meals.
- The CGM also motivated her to take post-meal walks and exercise more, which improved her glucose control.
Glucose Is The Body's Energy Currency
- Glucose comes from carbohydrates and is the body's main energy currency used to make ATP.
- The liver stores extra glucose as glycogen and releases it when you're not eating to keep levels steady.
Insulin Is The Key To Cell Access
- Insulin from the pancreas acts like a key that allows cells to take in glucose.
- In type 2 diabetes insulin resistance means more insulin is needed and insulin production can decline over time.