Understanding the Influence of Technology on Metabolism and Eating Habits
This is Optimizer, a weekly newsletter sent every Friday from Verge senior reviewer Victoria Song that dissects and discusses the latest phones, smartwatches, apps, and other gizmos that swear they’re going to change your life. Optimizer arrives in our subscribers’ inboxes at 10AM ET. Opt in for Optimizer here.
Rising Trends in Metabolism Optimization
In recent years, the wellness and fitness industry has exploded with influencers promoting various methods to “optimize” metabolism. This often includes promoting supplements like Foodology’s Coleology Cutting Jelly, NAD+ pills, and other products that claim to enhance insulin sensitivity and balance hormones. Currently, social media platforms, particularly TikTok, are ablaze with discussions around the Korean Switch-On diet—a regimen that incorporates intermittent fasting and protein shakes in an attempt to “reset” metabolisms, designed purportedly by an obesity researcher.
While it’s easy to overlook these diet fads, the language surrounding them raises questions. What does it mean to “optimize” your metabolism, and what are the implications of such trends? My apprehensions heightened upon encountering content about using continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) for this purpose, particularly from social media influencers.
The Utility and Risks of Continuous Glucose Monitors
Continuous glucose monitors are compact wearable devices that track glucose levels in the interstitial fluid beneath the skin. They serve as essential tools for diabetics, providing crucial data that can help manage their condition. With their growing availability at retail outlets, prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes patients benefit significantly from their use.
However, it raises a larger question: What tangible benefits do CGMs offer individuals who are neither diabetic nor prediabetic? This question has been a focal point of my investigation. My experience wearing a CGM over the past year highlighted the adverse effects it could have on one’s relationship with food.
The Personal Toll of Data-Driven Eating
As someone who often preoccupies themselves with food choices, I’ve found that my anxiety intensifies during holiday seasons. Instead of enjoying culinary delights, I obsess over what I can “allow” myself to eat, ultimately leading to a cycle of guilt associated with these choices. During Thanksgiving dinner last year, aware of the CGM readings hovering in the background, I found myself avoiding numerous beloved dishes due to potential glucose spikes.
While my relatives offered supportive curiosity, my approach to the feast felt more constrained than celebratory. Instead of indulging in my favorite traditional foods, I stuck to a modest plate predominantly filled with salads and limited my wine intake. The internal conflict of checking my glucose levels during dinner became exhausting, ultimately overshadowing the joy of family and festivity.
The Need for Balanced Perspectives on Health Tech
Reflecting on the past year, I realize that my stringent focus on glucose metrics left precious little room to enjoy time with loved ones or appreciate the effort put into home-cooked meals. Although I managed to lose weight initially, my relationship with food soured, leading to disordered eating patterns that I thought I had overcome.
CGMs have shown to be useful tools for many, but their implementation doesn’t guarantee positive outcomes across the board. Acknowledging their scientific basis is essential, yet we must recognize the complexities surrounding their use, especially among non-diabetics. Misguidedly approaching wearables as blanket solutions may lead to adverse health implications for some individuals.
Final Thoughts
As the holiday season approaches this year, I intend to forgo the CGM. Though I anticipate challenges in how I build my plate, my goal is to enjoy holiday favorites without the underlying pressure of glucose monitoring. The focus should be on cultivating gratifying experiences rather than succumbing to compulsive calorie counting or stress-induced behaviors.
To explore more about the role of technology in health and its implications on our well-being, read the full article here.
Image Credit: www.theverge.com
