The Primal Shift 98: This Is SPIKING Your Blood Sugar | Levels App + Dexcom G7 Findings
It's easy to assume that food affects everyone the same way. But when my wife Kathy and I wore continuous glucose monitors for two weeks, we learned just how different our responses actually are.
For example, a bowl of curry or a few slices of sourdough bread would send her blood sugar soaring while barely impacting mine, and vice versa.
We weren't just tracking data: we were uncovering real-time insight into how our individual metabolisms, hormones, stress, and even muscle mass shape our daily health outcomes.
The experiment revealed a few surprising truths. For Kathy, sourdough and rice were consistent triggers, even when paired with protein and fat. Her blood sugar spiked above 200 mg/dL and stayed elevated for hours — a clear sign that not all "healthy carbs" are created equal.
For me, the biggest spike didn't come from food at all. It came from intense physical activity — proof that exercise-induced glucose changes are an entirely different metabolic story than post-meal crashes.
The differences went deeper than food. Kathy's menstrual cycle impacted her insulin sensitivity, and my lean muscle mass gave me an edge when it came to buffering glucose. We also saw how stress, sleep and cold plunging could subtly (and sometimes dramatically) influence blood sugar trends, even in the absence of a single bite of food.
None of this was about fearmongering over carbs or obsessing over numbers. Wearing a CGM isn't a lifestyle; it's a short-term lens into how your body actually works. And once you connect the data to how you feel — sluggish after rice, energized after steak, restless after a late-night spike — that's when you unlock real change.
If you're serious about optimizing your health, I highly recommend trying a CGM for just a few weeks. Learn what your body thrives on. Understand what derails you. And then build your habits accordingly. Because personalized data beats generic diet advice every time.
Learn more:
Try the Levels Health app and get 2 months free when you sign up for an annual membership with my affiliate link: levels.link/MK How Continuous Glucose Monitoring Can Improve Your Health and Fitness:https://michaelkummer.com/continuous-glucose-monitoring/ 44: Why You Should Wear a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM): https://www.primalshiftpodcast.com/44-why-you-should-wear-a-continuous-glucose-monitor-cgm/ Thank you to this episode's sponsor, OneSkin!
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In this episode: 00:00 - Introduction: Blood Sugar Spikes
00:48 - Experiment Setup and Initial Findings
02:15 - Sourdough Experiment: A Surprising Spike
04:53 - Top Blood Sugar Triggers
07:17 - Personal Blood Sugar Responses
10:31 - Factors Influencing Blood Sugar
13:41 - Managing Blood Sugar Spikes
21:53 - Conclusion: Is a CGM Worth It?
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[Medical Disclaimer]
The information shared on this video is for educational purposes only, is not a substitute for the advice of medical doctors or registered dietitians (which I am not) and should not be used to prevent, diagnose, or treat any condition. Consult with a physician before starting a fitness regimen, adding supplements to your diet, or making other changes that may affect your medications, treatment plan, or overall health.
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I earn affiliate commissions from some of the brands and products I review on this channel. While that doesn't change my editorial integrity, it helps make this channel happen. If you'd like to support me, please use my affiliate links or discount code.
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