Explore the benefits of Vively's continuous glucose monitors (CGM) for metabolic health and preventative care. Learn how the Vively app integrates with CGMs and supports a healthier lifestyle.

Key takeaways

• CGM sensors provide real-time glucose readings, assisting diabetes patients and helping those without diabetes maintain metabolic health.
• Vively membership includes FreeStyle Libre sensors, CGM patches, and access to insights, an accredited dietitian (if you opt in), and metabolic health-related resources.
• The Vively app helps track meals, exercise, and sleep while integrating with your wearable devices for comprehensive data.

Patients with diabetes have used continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for decades, which has been shown to be effective in diabetes care. Many patients actually prefer it to finger pricks and blood glucose meters. But that isn't the only reason it has become many people's preferred blood glucose monitoring system.

CGM devices provide glucose readings in real-time. This is why it’s becoming common for those without diabetes to use it as a form of preventative care to maintain their metabolic health and lower their risk of developing a metabolic condition like type 2 diabetes.

This article discusses Vively, how the Vively app integrates with CGMs and how they can help you understand how your diet, physical activity, sleep and stress levels affect your blood sugar patterns.

What are the benefits of CGM systems?

Continuous monitors for glucose are important for many people with diabetes but can be highly beneficial for those who don't have it. For people without diabetes, wearing a CGM allows you to see the effects of your food choices, exercise, sleep or stress on your glucose levels in real-time. This can help you to tailor your lifestyle to suit your unique body and health goals.

CGM-derived glucose readings can have a significant impact on your health, allowing you to make informed decisions about your lifestyle habits. If your blood sugar levels rose above 8 mmol/L after lunch, it's likely that something you ate caused the spike. You can then use that real-time data to work with your Vively dietitian to make dietary changes.

You’ll also be able to notice the effects of your exercise sessions, as well as your sleep and stress levels on your metabolic health. It can be really motivating to help you implement healthy lifestyle habits, and also help you find what kind of lifestyle really suits you and your body. This makes achieving your health goals easier.

How do they work?

CGMs, unlike finger pricks, are neither painful nor time-consuming. You simply apply the small glucose sensor to your upper arm. Once in place and calibrated, it will begin sending glucose readings to your mobile phone each time you scan.

It’s important to note each CGM that Vively uses lasts for 14 days, and that the readings are taken from your interstitial fluid (the fluid between your cells), not directly from your blood. This means readings may be slightly different compared to finger prick glucose measurements.

The Vively app offers you a constant stream of information to provide a better understanding of the impact that food, exercise, sleep and stress, among other factors, has on your blood sugar control.

What is included in a Vively membership?

A Vively membership has many wonderful benefits for your metabolic health. Each membership comes with one or several (depending on your plan) FreeStyle Libre sensors for monitoring your glucose levels as well as a CGM patch to cover and secure it. Your sensor will be sent to you once you’ve subscribed. Each sensor lasts for 14 days.

Within the Vively app you will have access to your CGM insights and will be supported in interpreting what they mean.

Outside of the CGM, you can use the app to track your meals, exercise, and the number of hours you've slept. The app integrates with your wearable devices, as well as Google Fit and Apple Health to allow this data to feed into the Vively app. This gives you a detailed understanding of how your body reacts to food and other activities throughout the day.

You can choose to add on our Nutrition Coaching Program onto your membership plan. This provides you with access to an accredited practising dietitian. You can text them at any time through the app and ask your nutrition or glucose-related questions. They are extremely knowledgeable and are there to support you on your journey to optimal health.

Along with your dietitian, this continuous glucose monitoring app contains a plethora of evidence-based lifestyle and metabolic health-related information and activities for you to do to help you reach your goals.

How can you use Vively to receive personalised health care?

Firstly, it’s essential to note that Vively is not a diagnostic tool and does not provide treatment for health conditions. Vively should be used to help you improve your lifestyle habits alongside your doctor and other health professionals, not instead of. If you’re unsure whether Vively will suit you, please speak to your healthcare professional before signing up.

Using Vively, you can see how your diet, physical activity, and other lifestyle choices affect your blood sugar levels, motivating you to make healthier choices. It's important to discuss your CGM data with your primary care provider, any other health professionals you may be connected with, and your Vively dietitian, to find a personalised approach to taking back control of your health.

A transformational tool like Vively can help you create new healthy habits and assist you in reaching your health goals in a sustainable, supported way.