The technology giant Google is currently working on a contact lens which will enable type 2 diabetes patients to monitor their blood glucose levels by using specially-designed contact lenses. The lenses will be capable of monitoring blood glucose levels in real time, giving the wearer more up-to-date information to help manage their type 2 diabetes. |
This “smart lens” will consist of a glucose sensor and a tiny antenna embedded within the soft walls of the contact lens. The glucose sensor will take measurements from the aqueous humor, the thin, watery fluid that fills the space between the cornea and the iris. This bodily fluid contains traces of glucose, making it an appealing location for glucose testing. The antenna will transmit data via Wi-Fi to a smart phone, allowing the wearer to receive regular and automated measurements of their blood glucose levels throughout the day. The current system for testing your blood glucose via a finger prick test can only ascertain your blood glucose levels at certain times throughout the day. Blood glucose levels fluctuate through the day when you eat, change your activity levels, undertake exercise, and so forth. This new technology is exciting because it may give type 2 diabetes patients access to more information about just how much their glucose levels fluctuate, which may help them make changes to achieve greater control of their blood sugars throughout the course of a day. Whilst this technology is in its early phases of development, as Exercise Physiologists we expect this to have significantly positive benefits for the health of our clients with type 2 diabetes. Each individual’s glucose level responds differently to different food and activity variables, so giving sufferers of Type 2 diabetes a means to constantly measure their glucose levels will enable them to make even better choices about managing their diabetes. As type 2 diabetes is treatable and manageable through health and lifestyle modifications, technology such as the Google contact lenses will enhance our ability to demonstrate the positive role that exercise and nutrition changes make to the lives of type 2 diabetes sufferers. In Australia, the diabetes statistics demonstrate that this chronic disease is growing every year, and the number of deaths directly linked to this disease is rising exponentially. Combined with structured exercise dietary advice provided by Accredited Exercise Physiologists, the longer term health outcomes for type 2 diabetes patients can be drastically improved. Call us today about our Diabetes Management Program for those already diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, or if you want to prevent the onset of diabetes, call us on 9857 3007 to discuss our Diabetes Prevention Program. Written by Brendan Rigby, Accredited Exercise Physiologist.
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Millions of Australians are living with diabetes, with more and more people diagnosed each year. However, diabetes is not only treatable with tailored exercise programs and appropriate lifestyle modifications, but it is often preventable with healthy habits. We've compiled some key diabetes facts and statistics into an infographic, to illustrate how widespread the diabetes epidemic really is, and to outline how diabetes can be effectively prevented and treated through exercise and diet.
Click the image below to view the diabetes infographic.
Low GI foods are more desirable due to their slower rate of absorption into the blood, which is associated with maintaining blood glucose control and weight loss. In regards to diabetes, slowing the rate at which sugar enters the bloodstream is of particular importance as it can lower insulin resistance and can reduce insulin levels. For people with type 2 diabetes, including a Low GI source to each meal is imperative for maintaining consistent and stable blood sugar levels. An additional benefit of including Low GI sources of carbohydrates is reducing your consumption of High GI foods, such as soft drinks and lollies which include highly processed sugars.
But this raises some important questions:
Even if the polyphenol coating does remain intact throughout the digestive process, and sugar can in fact be modified to become Low GI, does that actually make it “better for you”? Does it really give you “longer lasting energy”, as the product claims to do? Don’t be fooled: sugar is sugar is sugar. However, creative marketing is leading people to believe that GI, the very system created to rate sugar, can be manipulated. Continued technological advancements in food processing will lead to a greater amount of confusion amongst shoppers when we have claims that a near-pure sugar product is low GI. For weight loss, diabetes management, and general health, my recommendation is to avoid high amounts of sugar. Avoiding processed foods is also important, and avoiding processed sugars is a non-negotiable. Written by Rory Scott, Accredited Exercise Physiologist.
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