Discover 10 key insights from 14 days wearing the Dexcom Stelo CGM, revealing how real-time glucose data can transform diabetes management for long-term success.
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As someone on a journey to better manage and potentially reverse diabetes, I decided to try the STELO Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) for two weeks. It’s been insightful, to say the least, and eye-opening in more ways than one! The real-time data from STELO helped me understand my glucose levels in ways I never anticipated, and here are my top takeaways from those 14 days:
1. Exercise and Glucose: A Surprisingly Complex Relationship
I thought exercise was always supposed to lower my blood sugar. Turns out, after exercising, my glucose spiked—something that surprised me at first. But as I learned, this happens because exercise causes your body to release glucose for energy. It’s not a bad thing, but it helped me see how timing exercise and meals better could smooth out those spikes.
2. Late-Night Eating = Early-Morning Spikes
If I ate dinner late and stayed up watching TV, my glucose levels were elevated throughout the night. The STELO CGM gave me the clearest proof yet that late-night eating combined with poor sleep leads to early morning spikes. This is your body’s way of signalling that it needs more carbs. Lesson learned: try to eat dinner earlier and aim for consistent sleep.
3. All Carbs Aren’t Created Equal
Some foods that I thought were “healthy” caused dramatic glucose spikes. STELO showed me that high-glycemic foods (looking at you, white bread!) shoot your glucose levels through the roof. The height of the graph shows how resistant your body is to handling certain foods. Managing this means being mindful of the quality of carbs you consume. Pro tip: veggies and whole grains won’t betray you like that surprise bowl of pasta.
4. Sleep Is More Important Than You Think
I used to underestimate sleep’s role in managing glucose. But after tracking my levels with STELO, I noticed a clear correlation: lack of sleep led to glucose spikes, even if my diet was on point. In short, bad sleep = bad glucose. Time to treat sleep like the powerful glucose regulator that it is.
5. There’s More Than Just Insulin at Play
Beyond glucose and insulin, I learned about other hormones that affect blood sugar, such as cortisol and glucagon. These hormones follow a circadian rhythm and play a key role in your glucose levels. For example, high cortisol levels from stress or poor sleep can cause glucose to rise. Now I know that managing stress and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is crucial for keeping my glucose in check.
6. The Data Isn’t Enough—You Need Help
As useful as the STELO CGM is, interpreting the data and making changes based on it is a team effort. The data shows you patterns, but figuring out the why behind those patterns (like why a certain food spiked my glucose or why I felt sluggish after a certain activity) takes some guidance. That’s why having human support—a nutritionist, a coach, or an endocrinologist—is so important.
7. Making Sense of Micronutrients
While STELO gave me insight into my glucose levels, I learned that understanding micronutrient deficiencies is just as important. Things like magnesium and vitamin D can affect how well your body handles glucose. Without a holistic view that includes blood tests and dietary adjustments, it’s easy to miss these underlying factors. STELO gives you the data, but understanding it requires deeper investigation.
8. Medication Timing is Critical
For those on medication, timing is everything. The STELO CGM made it clear that taking meds at the wrong time can lead to unexpected spikes or dips in glucose. It’s a balancing act that requires precision. Once I timed my meds correctly, I saw more stable glucose patterns. If you're on meds, talk to your doctor about how to sync your meds with your body’s natural rhythms.
9. FAD Diets Are Not the Answer
I’ve fallen for my share of FAD diets in the past—whether it was keto, intermittent fasting, or the latest cleanse touted by influencers. But wearing STELO showed me that what works for someone else might not work for me. The data helped me realise that my body responds uniquely to different foods, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Forget FADs—understanding your body is the real key.
10. Patience and Support Are Key
One thing the STELO CGM taught me is that change takes time. I didn’t get here overnight, and reversing the effects of poor lifestyle choices won’t happen overnight either. But with real-time feedback from STELO and ongoing support from experts, I’ve learned that progress is possible. You just need to stay patient, engaged, and supported.
An Apple a Day? More Like STELO a Month!
As goes the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” After wearing the STELO CGM for 14 days, I’d say “STELO a month keeps the doctor away!” This tool, combined with the right support from HEALDX, has given me the insight and confidence I need to take control of my health and reverse diabetes.
If you’re ready to see how STELO can transform your approach to managing (and reversing) diabetes, visit HEALDX and start your journey toward better health today!
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