Health and Beauty

Useful for weight loss?

Have you ever heard of glucose sensors for weight loss? If you're like me, always on the lookout for the latest health and wellness trends, you've probably seen this idea pop up on social media. From health influencers to heated discussions in health forums, the use of glucose sensors like Abbott's FreeStyle Libre, traditionally intended for measuring blood sugar levels in diabetics, has become a hot topic. But is this really a good idea? Above all, is it safe? This is what we will discover together in this article.

What is a glucose sensor?

The glucose sensor is medical device Which allows you to measure blood sugar in real time. It is generally used by people with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their treatment accordingly.

These sensors are also called glucose sensors or… Blood sugar measuring devicesgenerally consisting of two parts: a sensor that is inserted under the skin to measure the sugar level in the interstitial fluid (the fluid that surrounds the body's cells), and a reader or portable device that displays the results.

Glucose sensors and weight loss

The idea behind using glucose sensors for weight loss is simple: by closely monitoring your blood sugar, you can better control your diet and insulin spikes and thus lose weight. This is because high blood glucose levels can lead to weight gain because the body stores excess glucose as fat. On the other hand, low blood sugar can cause food cravings and overconsumption. So, by keeping your blood sugar within the normal range, you can theoretically control your appetite and weight. That's the idea behind Jesse Enchausby's Glucose Revolution Diet.

On this topic in a study(1) Published in 2022 and covering 40 overweight young people, the authors declared: “This study reveals the feasibility of the rtCGM (real-time continuous glucose monitor, editor's note). Young people with overweight, obesity, and non-diabetes can Take advantage of this device and use it as a tool for managing overweight and obesity but also as a primary prevention tool for type 2 diabetes, as it provides real-time and personalized information on physiological changes.

However, using these sensors for weight loss can lead to an unhealthy obsession with blood sugar monitoring, which in turn can lead to eating disorders and misinterpretation of data.

Controversy and concerns

Misusing glucose sensors for weight loss also has consequences for diabetics. In fact, the popularity of this practice has led to… loss Of these medical devices on the market, making their availability almost non-existent for people who actually need them.

Finally, there is the problem of misinformation. Many social media influencers promote glucose sensors for weight loss without having the knowledge to understand how they work and their potential risks. This misinformation can lead to inappropriate use of glucose sensors and health risks.

National Assembly's reaction

these Misuse It was denounced by many political figures, incl Natalie Basir, Member of Parliament for Reunion. According to her, the use of these sensors by people who do not have diabetes could have harmful consequences for their health. In addition, it could help normalize the use of these devices, which are above all medical tools aimed at helping diabetics manage their disease.

In the face of this situation, the use of these sensors has recently become the subject of Discussion in the National Assembly during which Nathalie Basir was remembered “The promotion of medical devices and medications that are not reimbursed by Social Security, such as continuous glucose sensors, used for personal convenience by some influencers (and therefore) runs the risk of supply disruption.” Although these products are essential for the health of diabetics.

On June 9, a law was finally passed aimed at regulating commercial influence and combating the abuse of influencers on social media platforms.

This legislation aims to better monitor and prevent various problematic practices, such as the promotion of unsafe diets, plastic surgery, excessive betting, as well as the promotion of counterfeit products, as the government explains on the website. vie-publique.fr.

What to remember

Although using glucose sensors for weight loss may seem attractive, it is important to remember that they are primarily medical devices intended to help diabetics monitor their blood sugar levels. Remember, the best way to lose those extra pounds is to follow a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular physical activity.

Useful for weight loss?

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