AI Wearables & CGMs: From Fashion to a "Health Compass"
Hello, dear readers. This time, I'd like to introduce you to a device that we're familiar with and is becoming increasingly popular among health-conscious individuals. Having gained firsthand experience caring for dozens of patients, I believe it's beneficial to share this information.
In the financial world, we are familiar with the term... Real-time data Because timely and accurate data is key to investment decision-making, the same is true in today's healthcare world. Real-time biological data from... AI Wearables Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) We are shifting our role from a “lifestyle device” to a “preventive medicine tool” with serious medical evidence support. From the time smartwatches only counted steps, today we are entering an era… Bio-Digital Integration Now that our bodies are connected to AI 24/7, this isn't just a fad, but a "health compass" that truly helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
This is the first device I've been using to monitor patients' blood sugar for many years. Previously, these devices weren't sold in Thailand. I saw foreign patients using them to manage their injectable diabetes medication. But now, in addition to managing diabetes, the CGM device is also used to monitor nutritional balance and weight management. Let's learn more about this device.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Originally used in patients with type 1 diabetes, it is now being used by people who want to manage their metabolism, with medical evidence. Research published in the journal Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics reports that CGM helps increase values... Time in Range (During periods when blood sugar levels are within the normal range) This is more effective than traditional finger-prick testing, and several studies have found that seeing real-time blood sugar graphs helps users significantly improve their eating habits.
For doctors, CGM transforms the process from looking in the "rearview mirror" and noticing spikes in blood sugar, to a "heads-up display" that provides warnings 60-120 minutes in advance via an AI predictive model.
The results found in research after use in individuals who want to control their blood sugar are:
- Reduce glycemic variability (fluctuations in blood sugar).
- Reduce insulin resistance.
- Supports weight management.
- Reduce the risk of Metabolic Syndrome in the long term.
From a preventive medicine perspective, CGM is a tool of... Precision Nutrition truly
The second device that patients and doctors use as supplementary clinical information is Smart Rings, with many brands competing to develop them. This has made smart rings a global trend between 2025 and 2026. The reason isn't just aesthetics, but "accuracy," supported by medical evidence and a systematic literature review in the PubMed Central database.
- The heart rate measurement accuracy is very high (r² close to 1.0).
- HRV measurements are consistent with clinical-grade medical devices.
Many people ask why HRV is important? Doctors will explain that HRV (Heart Rate Variability) is an index that measures the "resilience of the autonomic nervous system." Chronically low HRV is associated with accumulated stress, chronic inflammation, and an increased risk of heart disease. In preventive medicine and wellness, we place great importance on this.
Several studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic found that wearables can detect changes in HRV and skin temperature 2-3 days before the onset of infection. This is a significant step in predictive health monitoring, which we can use to assess risk in advance.
The third and most widely used type is the Multi-Sensor Smartwatch. From a regular watch, it offers advanced alert systems such as fall warnings and detection of irregular heartbeats, as well as real-time blood pressure measurement. These newer models don't just monitor heart rate; they integrate data from multiple systems simultaneously.
- Heart Rate (HR)
- Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
- SpO₂ (Peripheral Oxygen Saturation) is the level of oxygen saturation in the peripheral blood, or the level of oxygen in the blood.
- Skin Temperature
- Sleep Stages (e.g., light sleep, deep sleep, REM sleep)
- Activity Pattern refers to patterns of body movement or daily activity behavior, supported by systematic evidence.
- Step Count (Number of steps)
- Distance Traveled (The distance walked or run)
- Energy Expenditure / Calories Burned
Some models have...
- Blood Pressure (Measuring Blood Pressure)
- ECG single-lead (Electrocardiogram 1 lead)
- Atrial Fibrillation Detection
Large-scale population studies involving tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of people have found that continuously monitoring HRV and temperature can detect inflammation and illness days to weeks in advance. Regarding sleep, AI Sleep Staging is continuously improving in accuracy and is being used to screen for sleep apnea in its early stages. Sleep apnea is not just about snoring; it's linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and dementia in the long term. As an investment in your health, this is a worthwhile way to reduce future risks.
Therefore, in this AI era, doctors often tell their patients that... “Data is power, but insight is wisdom.” AI helps with processing, but doctors help "interpret the information within the context of the patient's life and design treatment at their level of expertise," which AI cannot yet do with the same level of detail. A common example encountered in clinics is persistently low HRV, which may be due to overtraining, micronutrient deficiency, or emotional stress. Further history taking, physical examination, and lab tests are required to obtain complete information so that the wearable can provide a "signal," but the doctor can help develop a "care strategy."
References
- Raj R., Mishra R., Jha N., et al. (2022). Time in range, as measured by continuous glucose monitor, as a predictor of microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes: a systematic review. BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, 10:e002573.
- Basson-Shleymovich Y., Yahalom-Peri T., Azmon M., Cukierman-Yaffe T. (2024). The association between time in range and physical health agility status indices. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(23):7089.
- Fiore M. (2024). “The Use of Smart Rings in Health Monitoring: A Systematic Review.” Applied sciences.
- Jafleh EA. (2024). “Wearable Devices in Chronic Disease Monitoring.” PMC
- Yoo JH. (2020). “Time in Range from Continuous Glucose Monitoring.” Diabetes & Metabolism Journal.
- van Doorn WPTM (2021). “Machine learning-based glucose prediction with CGM and accelerometry data.” PLOS One.
Dr. Kobkarn Chunhasawatdikun
Specialist in preventive medicine with 22 years of experience in integrative medicine, health promotion, and lifestyle modification. Expert in many disciplines of alternative medicine working with multidisciplinary specialists including Chinese medicine, Thai medicine, homeopathy, massage therapy, art therapy, music therapy, sports science, and physical therapy, as well as a lecturer in food as medicine, nutrition and wellness, teaching chefs how to make healthy food.
Work Experience
ปัจจุบัน : Medical Director MedPark Well-Healing (One Bangkok)
2566 - 2568
Head of Wellness Business Development, Vimut Hospital Holding Co., Ltd., a preventive medicine specialist
Founder of BALAVI, a center for integrative medicine and lifestyle modification, specializing in cancer and chronic disease care.
Training
- Training in advanced life support operations Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital
- Training from Boromarajonani National Institute for Drug Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation
- Course for Senior Executives in Public Health (NSS), Mahidol
- THON's Executive Program THG SASIN Chulalongkorn University
- Completed hospital management course CEO48, Mahidol University.
- Micro MBA, Chula Business Administration & Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy, Chulalongkorn University
- Advance training course in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, China, 2006 The American Board Certified in Nutrition Wellness, (CNW), USA, 2017
- Training in Anthroposophy Training (IPMT program) course from Switzerland, 2010-2019
- Pressel Massage training, 2014
- Regenerative medicine: new approach in hormonal treatment Symposium (WOSAAM), 2016
- Advanced Nutrition for wellness, IFNW, Thailand, 2017
- Integrative Functional Nutrition/Functional Foods for Chronic Disease Module 2, USA
- Integrative Functional Nutrition/Functional Foods for Chronic Disease Module 1, USA, 2018
- Thai Traditional Therapeutic Massage and Thai Traditional Pharmacy Accredited and Certified by The Union of Thai Traditional Medicine Society, Ministry of Public Health
