Let's take a moment to appreciate this wonder. It is
now possible to see, in close to real time, one's glucose reading.
Different from a medical test from actual blood by 10%
at most. The technology to do this is from Dexcom, based in San Diego
California.
The test mechanism, on the person's arm, sends the data to an app
on the iphone. An app on the Applewatch receives, and shows it.
It is a trend line. A tap on the watch and there it is.
Apple has been promising direct reading of glucose from the watch itself,
without invasive procedures. It is a much awaited feature, and the company has
apparently taken a patent on a technology to do this, already. I do see, however,
how there might be some apprehension about moving ahead with this:
fitness is one thing, and medical treatment another. Could this feature lead to frivolous
uses, or endanger some patients. I would hope not.
In fact, I would see this as a very useful development. Take the pizza problem, as it
confronts someone with diabetes1. Pizza is a carbohydrate food, and requires an insulin
injection before ingestion. All fine and good. But then, hours later glucose readings go up
again, and who knows what is going on. Pizza also contains fat from the cheese.
I would expect that with many 'vanity' users using this feature, we woud soon
find out.
It takes a few hours for fats to leave the stomach for the small intestine. What happens
next will depend on whether your body is trying to find quick energy, seeking to restore
glycogen in muscle for easy access, or willing to send it to long-term storage. As someone
who goes out in sub-zero tempratures for a quick shop, I have some ingtuitive grasp
on how my diet helps or hinders my activities. I just know I could get really good at
gauging what is going with me as a function of diet and activity.
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