As constantly evolving human beings, we are wired to look at what’s next. From exploring the potential of AI to imagining life on another planet, our progress as a civilization is shaped by our desire to chase the horizon, to look beyond what is, towards what can be.

This also drives innovation in the most important sphere of all: health. Scientific advancement has led to the emergence of monitoring devices and innovations that track, predict, and optimize our wellbeing like never before.

So, what’s next in this journey of healthcare evolution?

Personalized health data is transforming how we approach nutrition and lifestyle, especially for managing chronic conditions like diabetes.

As technology evolves, the meaning of health itself is pivoting — no longer are we simply reacting to something that ‘does not feel right.’ We are aiming to optimize wellbeing to maximize longevity and quality of life.

Next-generation digital tools, like wearable biosensors, that track key health parameters in real time, are the mainstay of this proactive, personalized pursuit of health.

Personalized Wellness: “Is it healthy” vs. “Is it healthy for me?”

Biowearables, like continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, pair a biosensor with a smartphone app to give us a window into our health. These devices measure glucose round the clock, capturing its dynamic movement to demonstrate how blood sugar is influenced by food, physical activity, stress and medication.

These glucose trends help us identify what works best for our unique needs, highlighting our time in range — the amount of time we spend in the target (normal) glucose range. This helps us see how our lifestyle choices impact our health.  How should you balance resistance training with cardiovascular exercise to minimize blood sugar fluctuations? How many hours of sleep do you require to maintain your glucose and energy levels through a busy workday?

These considerations become the foundation for a more targeted health management plan, backed by personalized CGM insights.

Innovations in technology to better understand our health give us the knowledge to take informed action. Consider how biosensors influence our approach to food:

Nutrition is the bedrock of wellbeing; it provides the building blocks essential for each of our metabolic functions. With biowearables that can show us how our health is affected by what we eat, the amount of food, and the sequence in which we consume it, we can choose what kind of nutrition works best for our body. Glucose monitoring devices can help us see the invisible cues – a glucose spike from a slice of breakfast toast could mean you need to eat protein or fiber before the toast (carbohydrates), to maintain a steadier glucose graph.

For those who are on guided health journeys, the conversation around protein has gained immense importance. While it is recommended that we consume 0.8 gm of protein per kg of our body weight, a biosensor can give you an idea of how much protein you need, to support your specific lifestyle, and keep your glucose level steady. 

How your body responds to these changes can be better understood by monitoring glucose trends over a period of time.

Digital technology, thus, lays the groundwork for smarter health decisions and ensures that every choice we make is best suited for our wellbeing.

The ability to simplify decision-making is evident in the realm of diagnostics, too. Advanced assays and diagnostic techniques rapidly assess what’s going on inside the body. From mild traumatic brain injury to specific infectious diseases, they are quick to detect abnormalities, and give much needed timely, accurate answers, reducing crucial time between the test and treatment.

Pathbreaking innovation in technology can deliver on its promises only if it reaches far and beyond, integrated with the rest of our systems.

With digital tools integrated with healthcare systems, seamless connect across healthcare providers, patients and caregivers through continuous flow of data makes way for immediate, real-time feedback. Your CGM chart can be a significant health motivator, encouraging a sense of ownership towards your own health. Doctors, too, can lean on these personalized health trends to let patients discover how their lifestyle affects their health. This can enhance adherence and encourage people to build more wholesome, long-term habits.

Why We Love Innovation: It Fuels Curiosity

Digital health tools serve our innate curiosity about how our body works. Technology is, thus, at the heart of the future of wellness. By integrating data from biowearables with medical protocols, we are elevating our understanding of health to unlock deeper insights into our bodies. This convergence of technology and health has brought us to the brink of a promising new era in health and wellness, and we’re only getting started.

Disclaimer: The information mentioned in this document is only suggestive /for patient education and shall not be considered as a substitute for doctor’s advice or recommendations from Abbott. Please consult your doctor for more information.