Living with Diabetes

The Diabetes Gene

2007-02-01T11:14:00.000-08:00

Researchers at St.Louis University came to the conclusion that 50% of Americans may have a hereditary gene that can cause diabetes. The gene FABP2 determines how your body absorbs fat from food and has been the subject of research in determining whether heredity and genetics may play a role in your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. There are two versions of this gene known as Thr54 and Ala54. According to research, those with Thr54 had a higher rate of fat absorption than those with Ala54. Those with Thr54 also had a lower tolerance for glucose and a higher fasting glucose concentration.

According to the study, neither variation is more common than the other. What this means is that 50% of Americans have the Ala54 variation and run a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in their lifetime. Having the variant version of the gene does not guarantee that you will develop Type 2 diabetes as it is only one of many risk factors, however, compounding that with other risk factors can greatly increse your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes. By avoiding risk factors such as bad eating habits, a sedentary lifestyle, and obesity, even those with the variant gene can prevent the development of Type 2 diabetes.

Exercise Tips

2007-01-11T10:47:00.000-08:00

If you’re feeling tired and stagnant in the morning, simple exercise may be what you need. Simple stretches and exercises can strengthen bones, improve your mood, and help your body flush out accumulated toxins. Any movement at all will have healthful benefits. If you haven’t exercised in awhile, try something like a 30-minute walk every day to start.

Another good idea is to stretch for a couple minutes at the beginning of each day. Stretching will help your muscles and improve flexibility. Below are ten simple exercises you can do every morning. They can be performed at any time during the day but make for an especially great wake-up routine.

1) An Eye-Opener
Focus on things at various distances to relax your eyes. Alternate between near and far objects or simply follow your finger. Do a few sets and then take a couple long blinks.

2) Neck, Side-to-Side
Relax your shoulders and lean your head to one side, hold it for about 5 seconds, and comfortably lean your head to the other shoulder. Repeat this a few times on each side.

3) Neck, Front-to-Back
Lower your chin to your chest and then tilt your head comfortably back. Repeat this several times.

4) Touch Your Toes
Gently lower your arms and reach towards your toes by bending at the waist.

5) Back Stretch
Sit up straight, place your hands on your waist, and lean back slightly. Stretch from your waist. Take a deep breath and relax between each rep.

6) Trunk Twist
Extend your arm across your chest and twist at the hips in that direction. Use the back of your chair for leverage.

7) Upper-Torso Stretch
Lift your arms to shoulder height and move them like you were rowing a boat. Spread your fingers as you row forward and tighten them into a fist as you pull back. Don’t let your arms drop. Repeat this a couple times.

8) Shoulder Stretch
Extend one arm across your chest and use your other arm to extend the stretch by pulling your forearm closer to your body. Hold it for 5 seconds and switch sides.

9) Arm Stretch
Put your hands together in front of you and flex your wrists at a 90-degree angle with your fingers pointing upward. Raise your arms while pushing your palms together until your elbows are near your ears. Exhale as you lower your arms back down. Repeat a few times.

10) Ankle Stretch
This is similar to riding a bike. Bend your knee and raise your foot, flexing so that your toes are pointing down. Flex your ankle in the opposite direction and push your leg forward as if you were pedaling. Repeat this a few times then switch legs.

FDA Updates Nationwide Class 1 Recall Alert on Counterfeit One Touch Blood Glucose Test Strips

2006-12-20T09:55:00.000-08:00

December 2006: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (or FDA) has updated it’s notifications on October 13, and October 23, 2006, which alerted the public to counterfeit blood glucose test strips, for use with various LifeScan, Inc., One Touch Brand Blood Glucose Monitors, being sold in the U.S.

The recall is being classified as a Class 1 by the FDA because the counterfeit test strips have a significantly dangerous alteration in performance. These counterfeit test strips can potentially give a false reading of blood glucose levels which may result in a patient taking an incorrect dosage of insulin leading to serious injury or death.

The concerned products are counterfeit and as such are not being marketed or distributed by LifeScan. LifeScan is not responsible for the recall, however, companies or firms that are distributing these counterfeit products are responsible for the recall and corrective measures developed by LifeScan, with input from the FDA. The FDA is continuing it’s on-going efforts with LifeScan and the distributors of these counterfeit products to ensure that they are all removed from the market.

The counterfeit test strips are as follows:

· One Touch® Basic®/Profile® (lot #272894A, 2619932, 2606340, 2615211 (added October 23, 2006) and 227078A (new lot)) test strips, and

· One Touch® Ultra® (lot #2691191 and 2691261 (added October 23, 2006) test strips.

LifeScan, Inc. made the FDA aware of the new lot of counterfeit products. The FDA has been investigating this issue and whether or not there have been any adverse events that have transpired due to the counterfeit products.

Any consumer who has received these counterfeit test strips should immediately discontinue use, contact their physician, and replace the strips as soon as possible. If you have received one of the counterfeit products and have any questions, you can contact LifeScan, Inc. at 1-866-621-4855.

For a comprehensive guide on how to identify if your product is counterfeit, visit LifeScan’s web site at: www.lifescan.com/company/about/press/counterfeit/

These characteristics may help you identify the counterfeit strips:

Counterfeit One Touch Basic/Profile Test Strips, lot numbers 272894A, 2619932, and 2606340

Lot Numbers 272894A, 2619932, or 2606340 appears on the outer carton and on the inside container (vial).
The outer carton is written in Multiple Languages including English, Greek and Portuguese.
The outer carton is labeled as 50-Count One Touch (Basic/Profile)Test Strip packages
The bottom of the outer carton does not include an NDC number.

Counterfeit One Touch Basic/Profile Test Strips, lot numbers 2615211 and (227078A (new lot))

Lot Numbers 2615211 or 227078A appear on the outer carton and on the inside container (vial).
The outer carton is written in English.
The outer carton is labeled as 50-Count One Touch (Basic/Profile) Test Strip packages.
A picture of a hand appears on the test strip displayed on the outer carton.
The inside container (vial) is labeled as "plasma calibrated"
The bottom of the outer carton does not include an NDC number.

Counterfeit One Touch Ultra Test Strips, lot numbers 2691191 and 2691261

The lot numbers 2691191 or 2691261 appears on the outer carton and on the inside container (vial).
The outer carton and inside container (vial) is written in both English and French.
The outer carton is labeled as 50-Count One Touch Ultra Test Strip packages.
The bottom of the outer carton does not include an NDC number.

Any problems experienced with the use of this product, and/or quality problems should also be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Program by phone at 1-800-FDA-1088, by Fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, by mail at MedWatch, HF-2, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or on the MedWatch website at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Top 6 Risk Factors for Developing Type 2 Diabetes

2006-12-15T13:32:00.000-08:00

There are numerous risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes. Factors such as hamily history and genetics are going to be with us always, however, there are many other risk factors that can be prevented and put you at a lower risk. We will go over these risks and what we can do to prevent them.

1) Obesity

This is the number one risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Higher weight puts you at higher risk of insulin resistance because fat will impair the body's ability to use the insulin it is creating. The National Center for Health Statistics has stated that 30 percent of adults are obese and the number of overweight kids has tripled since 1980. This means that over 60 million adults and children are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

2) Sedentary Lifestyle

The Surgeons General's Report on Physical Actiity and Health, published in 1996, stated "a sedentary lifestyle is damaging to health and bears responsibility for the growing obesity problems". Obesity and inactivity greatly increse your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Muscle cells have many more insulin receptors than fat cells, meaning that you can decrease insulin resistance by exercising regularly. Being active and exercising also lowers your blood sugar levels by making insulin more efficient.

3) Unhealthy Eating habits

90% of people who are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are overweight. The number one cause of obesity is unhealthy eating habits. Eating too much fat and simple carbohydrates without enough fiber can contribute greatly to a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. A more healthy diet can help you prevent Type 2 diabetes.

4) Increased Age

As our age increases, so does our risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Even if an elderly person is in good shape, their risk for Type 2 will still be greater. Scientists believe that this is due to an aging pancreas that is not as efficient as when we were younger. Our cells age as well and become more resistant to insulin.

5) High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol

These two factors are large risk factors for many diseases and conditions, including Type 2 diabetes. They are two key factors of Metabolic syndrome which is a group of symptoms including obesity, a high fat diet, and lack of exercise. Metabolic syndrome can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

6) History of Gestational Diabetes

This condition affects about 4% of pregnant women. It occurs when the placenta hormones make the mother's cells more resisntant to insulin. Many of these women will be at risk for developing type 2 diabetes later on in life. Also, their babies will have an elevated risk of developing diabetes.

Diabetes Medication May Slow Thickening of Artery Walls

2006-12-12T13:55:00.000-08:00

A medication that is being prescribed to patients with diabetes appears to not only increase their body’s sensitivity to insulin, but also slow the thickening of their artery walls. A study posted online by JAMA confirms these results and will be presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Session.

It has already been proven that people with diabetes suffer from an increased risk of heart attack Controlling cholesterol (LDL) and blood pressure has been shown to lower some of this excess risk. “However, even with optimal control of these potent cardiovascular risk factors, incremental risk for cardiovascular events remains high compared with individuals without diabetes,” the authors say. “New approaches are, therefore, needed to further reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes.”

Theodore Mazzone, M.D., of the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, and his colleagues studied a drug called pioglitazone to see if it may help to reduce the excess risk of heart attack in patients with diabetes. The studied included 462 adults with type 2 diabetes in the Chicago area from 2003 to 2006. The average age of the group was 60 years and included 289 men and 173 women. These participants were randomly assigned to take either 15 to 45 milligrams of pioglitazone or 1 to 4 milligrams of glimepiride, another medication with the same effects but through different mechanisms. At the beginning of the study, an ultrasound was used to measure the thickness of the carotid arteries. A measure of glucose control, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol levels were also monitored throughout the study.

In total, 158 patients using pioglitazone and 165 patients using glimepiride completed the entire 72 week trial. At the beginning of the study, the two groups had comparable artery wall thickness. At the end of the study, the glimeperide groups average artery wall thickness increased by .012 millimeters while the pioglitazone groups average dropped by .001. “A pre-specified subgroup analysis based on age, sex, systoloc blood pressure, duration of type 2 diabetes mellitus, body mass index, hbA1c value and statin use showed a uniform beneficial effect of the pioglitazone treatment,” the authors write.

Over the course of the study, blood pressure remained very similar between both groups. By week 48, however, the pioglitazone group was significantly lower than the glimeperide group. HDL, or “good” cholesterol increased in the pioglitazone group and remained higher throughout the remainder of the study. These measurements represent that pioglitazone can reduce artery wall thickness.

"Additional data will be needed to determine the clinical significance of these findings; specifically, whether a strategy of routine use of pioglitazone instead of glimepiride substantially reduces major cardiovascular events," they concluded.

Job Burnout May Increase Risk of Developing Diabetes

2006-12-12T13:54:00.000-08:00

A recent Israeli study suggests that job burnout may increase your risk of developing a form of diabetes.

This study, which is the first of its kind, does not confirm that there is a link between work related stress and diabetes. However, the research suggests that job burnout could increase your risk of illness by a “magnitude similar to other risk factors, such as high body mass index, smoking, and lack of physical exercise,” according to the studies lead author Samuel Melamed, an associate professor at the Tel Aviv University in Israel.

Researchers followed 677 Israeli workers from 1998 to 2003. Close to 77 percent of the workers were men with an average age of 43 years.

Of the 677 workers, 17 of them developed type 2 diabetes during the research period. The researchers concluded that people experiencing job burnout were 1.84 times more likely to develop diabetes, even when factors such as obesity, age and sex were taken into account.

The researchers also looked at a smaller sample of 507 workers and tried to eliminate the possibility of blood pressure levels having an effect. They concluded that workers were more than 4.32 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

Melamed states that job burnout may only be a part of the picture. “It is possible that these people are prone to diabetes because they can’t handle stress very well,” says Melamed. “Their coping resources may have been depleted not only due to job stress but also life stresses, such as stressful life events and daily hassles.”

Stress can, indeed, disrupt the bodies ability to process glucose especially in those who are genetically prone to a diabetes vulnerability, according to Richard Surwit, chief of the Division of Medical Psychology at Duke University medical Center.

Surwit suggests that the researchers use a much larger sample to get a better result. He states that the research author “needs to look at hundreds of thousands of people to see if he gets the same thing.”

Fighting the Flu

2006-11-24T10:22:00.000-08:00

Every year, up to twenty percent of Americans will get the flu virus and 200,000 or more are hospitalized because of it. The flu vaccines are in short supply again this year so you should look at some additional ways to help protect yourself form the flu.

Protein is very important in the body’s immune system. The antibodies and other elements of the immune system are all composed of protein. Therefore, when your body lacks protein, you are more susceptible to getting sick. Most Americans receive enough protein in their diets but elderly and poor people may not be getting enough protein because of the cost of meat, chewing difficulties, or the hassle of preparing it. Fortunately, these people can get enough protein through alternative foods such as dried beans, tofu, nuts and eggs.

Folate, zinc, iron and vitamins C, E, B6 and B12 also work with protein to keep your immune system working well. It has been proven that an iron deficiency or excessive levels of iron will make your immune system less functional than that of someone who receives the recommended Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) levels.

Zinc has been receiving quite a bit of attention as a possible way to boost your immune systems functionality. The Institute of Medicine recommends that you receive 8 to 11 milligrams per day of zinc, and most U.S. adults meet this recommendation, however, there are many that are mildly deficient. Also, excessive levels of zinc can actually suppress the immune systems functionality as well. Research has found that up to 40 milligrams of zinc per day from foods and supplements is safe. You can find zinc in seafood, meats, dairy products, eggs, whole grains and multivitamins.

Diet and lifestyle seem to be the key factors of maintaining a healthy immune system. A diet that has a lot of fat in it will decrease your immune function, while a very low-fat diet will also lower a persons immune system functionality. Also, a lack of carbohydrates can disrupt your immune system. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, recommends that you regularly exercise to keep your immune system healthy. However, excessive amounts of exercise can actually increase your risk of infection. Drinking enough fluids and getting enough sleep will help your body fight off infections.

Many herbal products and remedies made from echinacea have been said to raise the effectiveness of your body’s immune system. However, studies have concluded that these products are effective as a short-term treatment but do not show any long-term benefit from regular use of the products. While echinacea herbal products may increase your immune systems activity for a time, it does not seem to prevent you from infection later on. People with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis should avoid these products since they increase your immune systems activity.

Products containing live bacteria, known as probiotics, are being studied to see if they might help improve the immune systems function. Probiotics are foods like yogurt or cultured milk that have live bacteria in them. In most cases, immune function tends to decline as a person gets older, however, in one study, seniors age 60 to 83 saw greater levels of immunity after six weeks of daily probiotic intake.

The last bit of advice would be to maintain good hygiene as well. Washing your hands thoroughly and regularly will help keep you from infection. It is also recommended that you avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth even if you wash your hands regularly because bacteria can enter the body from any of these places. Exercising, getting enough sleep and maintaining a balanced diet will help keep you healthy during this flu season.

Inflammation Linked to Disease

2006-11-21T14:01:00.000-08:00

A big topic in the medical world right now is how certain types of inflammation might affect your risk of stroke, diabetes, heart attack and cancer. In most cases, inflammation is a sign of your immune system working properly, but not every kind of inflammation is good and it’s the invisible kind that happens in our cells that is causing the problem.

There is an enzyme in our body called COX-2 that boosts the production of inflammatory substances. Most of the time, these proteins and other hormone-like substances are produced without a problem. However, in certain cases, they might help cancer cells multiply and spread throughout the body. This is why testing is underway for types of anti-inflammatory drugs, labeled COX-2 inhibitors, that may play a role in preventing or treating certain types of cancer, including: cancer of the colon, uterus, breast, prostate and other tissues.

Also, scientists are studying whether or not the way we eat could affect chronic inflammation that could cause cancer risk or other health problems. Researchers around the globe are examining different aspects of the issue to see if they can come up with an answer to the problem.

Some researchers are examining how two families of polyunsaturated fats may be able to work together to play a protective role. Omega-3 fats are found in fatty fish, flaxseeds or flaxseed oil, walnuts and canola oil. Omega-6 fats are found in vegetable oils. All of these are considered to be healthy for your heart because they do not raise your blood cholesterol. The problem right now is that when you have more omega-6 fats than omega-3 fats, your body increases your COX-2 levels and produces more of the hormones that cause inflammation. However, when omega-3 and omega-6 fats are more balanced in your diet, your body produces less of the hormones that promote inflammation.

It is because of this that scientists believe that boosting omega-3 fats with regular consumption of the foods containing omega-6 fats (such as fish or flax), an reduce our over consumption of vegetable oils, the COX-2 in our bodies will become less active and decrease the production of inflammatory hormones.

Another group of scientists are trying to determine whether or not inflammation is a main reason why obesity has been linked with a higher risk of cancer. Research has suggested tat fat cells produce cytokines, which promote low-grade inflammation, and that distribution of our body fat could play a role. A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association has shown that inflammation increased by more than 50 percent in obese women who had fat stored mainly in their hips and thighs, and by over 400 percent in women with more waistline fat.

Studies have also shown that regular exercise may lower the levels of inflammatory proteins by strengthening the immune system. This could explain why regular exercise has been linked to lower cancer risk.

Other scientists are investigating how a plant-based diet may keep inflammation levels down. Antioxidants and phytochemicals found in fruits and vegetables can protect cell DNA from damage that can lead to cancer. Also, these antioxidants and phytochemicals may also lower the production of the inflammation causing hormones. Currently, a large variety of fruits and vegetables are being examined to see if they may be able to lower the effects of COX-2.

All of the evidence that is currently linking diet to inflammation and cancer risk is still very preliminary, and it would be a little early to adjust our diets accordingly, but this is not the only reason that making these adjustments would be beneficial. It has been proven that eating more fruits and vegetables along with regular exercise can lower your cancer risk by up to 40 percent. It is already proven that these methods work – this new information will just give us a batter understanding of how and why.

Healthy Eating May Save Your Eyes

2006-11-21T13:59:00.000-08:00

Recent studies have suggested that healthy eating habits that are recommended to lower your risk of cancer may also lower your risk of irreversible blindness. Currently, age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is not understood but experts are saying it may stem from oxidation reactions causing the damage. A study has shown that high doses of antioxidant supplements may slow the progression of AMD. However, this research does not suggest that high-dose supplements for AMD prevention are safe.

The study that tested the antioxidants and their ability to fight the progression of AMD was the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, or AREDS. Supplements of five to 13 times the recommended dosage of beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, and Zinc, were given to patients who had Early or Late-stage AMD.

Supplement usage was directly linked to a 25 percent decrease in the progression from early to late-stage AMD after five years or regular use. These studies do not show any benefit of early supplementation in preventing AMD, so researchers suggest lifestyle changes to lower your risk of developing AMD. A balanced diet containing a variety of vegetables, hats and UV protective sunglasses to reduce damage to the eyes from sunlight are some of the best ways to prevent AMD.

A new large study supports that a diet containing many foods with antioxidant nutrients used in AREDS can lower your risk of developing AMD. The study sampled men and women ages 55 and older who had no AMD at the beginning of the study. After eight years time, the people whose diets ranked in the top half for Vitamins C and E, zinc beta-carotene were 35 percent less likely to develop AMD. When people who used dietary supplements were eliminated from the study, the results were unchanged.

In recent studies, 400 IU (International Units) of vitamin E was associated with health risks, however, the levels of vitamin E linked to AMD protection was only at 20 to 30 IU. The research in this study also concluded that having a diet rich in several antioxidants is better at lowering your risk of AMD than having a high amount of one type of antioxidant.

To lower your risk of AMD by receiving the correct levels of vitamins C and E, beta-carotene and zinc, it is recommended that you eat these foods as part of a balanced diet: at least 6 servings of fruit and vegetables; at least 3 servings of whole grains; 4 to 6 ounces of poultry, seafood or meat (or an equivalent of beans); 5 to 7 teaspoons of olive, canola, or other similar oils; and an ounce of nuts.

Other large studies have suggested that eating fish two or more times a week may significantly lower your risk of AMD. However, polyunsaturated fat, which is found in fish, can increase your risk of AMD because of the fat’s chemical structure which is vulnerable to oxidation reactions.

In a recent study, women who chose to eat foods with a higher glycemic index had more than double the rate of early AMD. The diets these women chose tended to be higher in refined grains and sweets than in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

According to these studies, there is a definite correlation between their diets and AMD, even though the researchers took into account the amount of fat and little amount of antioxidant nutrients in the diets. It is very possible that refined carbohydrates can actually cause inflammation and tissue damage leading to AMD. Also, the lack of nutrients and phytochemicals could explain the added AMD risk.

When you are sick with Diabetes

2006-11-20T14:18:00.000-08:00

When you are sick, your blood glucose levels can become elevated without even knowing it. It is recommended that you do the following while you are sick:

Consistently check your blood glucose level every 4 hours and keep track of your results.
Maintain taking your insulin and diabetes pills regardless of whether or not you can keep food down. Consult your doctor to see if you should change your dosage.
Drink at least 8 ounces of anything that is calorie and caffeine free every hour before sleeping, such as water.
Try crackers, soup, or drinking juice if you are until to eat your regular foods.
If you are unable to eat, drink clear liquids. Eat or drink something containing sugar if you are unable to keep other foods down.
Perform a urine test for ketones if your blood glucose is over 240, or you can’t keep food or liquids down.
Continue to take your insulin regardless if you’ve been throwing up.
Consult your doctor about whether or not you should change your dosage based on your blood glucose test results.
If you do not use insulin: Continue to take your diabetes pills regardless if you’ve been throwing up.
Get in touch with your health care provider if any of the following apply to you:
1) Your blood glucose is over 240 for longer than 24 hours.
2) You have a high amount of ketones in your urine
3) You are more tired than normal
4) Trouble breathing
5) Inability to think clearly
6) Throwing up multiple times
7) Diarrhea for more than 6 hours

Large Fast Food Portions May Have More Calories Than You Think.

2006-11-15T12:31:00.000-08:00

Brian Wansink, professor of consumer behavior at Cornell University conducted a study on people who eat at fast food restaurants and determined that people eating at fast food restaurants underestimate the calories in their meals by 12 to 41 percent. According to him, large portions seem to be the problem.

According to one of his latest studies, the more you eat, the more likely you are to underestimate the calories. Overall, it was determined that people under-estimated the meals calories by 23 percent. People who ordered smaller meals, however, had a smaller margin of error. It seems that the bigger the meal, the more people misjudged the calorie content. For example, people who ordered meals containing 1,100 to 1,260 calories were under-estimating their meals calorie content by38 percent.

In a different study, 40 college students were asked to estimate the calories of 15 fast food meals that consisted of the same foods but different portions. The students could correctly guess the calories of the smaller meals, however, they underestimated the larger portioned meals by 22 percent.

Experts are suggesting that large portions are becoming more and more normal which is making it harder for us to recognize when we are eating too much. In a related study, people were misjudging their meal portions by up to 20 percent. When asked to bring in a "medium" bagel, muffin, fruit, cookie, etc, almost everyone brough in an item that exceeded the definition of a medium item based on nutritional recommendations.

Some people suggest that making nutritional value more obvious and available would help solve this problem but that doesn't seem to be the case, according to another study by Wansink. Researchers compared 250 Subway customers, who can find their nutritional information very easily on napkins and signs in the restaurant, and 250 McDonald's customers who do not have easy access to their foods nutritional information.

The McDonald's customers were eating higher calorie meals but they were only underestimating their meals calorie content by about 12 percent. However, the Subway customers were eating smaller calorie meals but were underestimating their meals calories by roughly 41 percent.

Wansink contributes the error to what he calls the "halo effect." What he means is that when people are told that their food is healthy, they assume that everything is low calorie and forget about added calories from things like drinks, chips, cheese, mayo, and other similar things. Wansink suggests that you try to estimate the calories of items individually and assume that a large meal probably has about twice the calories you think it does.

Pre-Diabetes.

2006-11-15T12:28:00.000-08:00

Newswise, November 2006 – The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has reported that fifty-four million Americans, which is one out of six of us, have pre-diabetes and are unaware of it. What this means is that you may have elevated blood glucose levels and could one day have high enough blood glucose levels that you will be diagnosed with diabetes. The medical director of the Penn Rodebaugh Diabetes Center suggests that patients who may be at risk consult their doctor about getting a blood test to check for pre-diabetes,

According to Mike Schutta, MD, if you have pre-diabetes there is a 75% probability that diabetes will develop within 30 years. Schutta also says that if you are born in the U.S., your chances of developing diabetes is one out of three. The reason that so many people are developing diabetes, according to Schutta, is that diabetes has no symptoms in its early stages. “f you knew you had pre-diabetes, you could still prevent getting diabetes through changes in diet and exercise. There are many health benefits to knowing you have pre-diabetes and "heading it off." If you wait until you have diabetes, the vascular damage to your body may already be done.", he adds.

If any of these apply to you, a blood test for pre-diabetes is recommended:

You have a known family history of diabetes.
You are African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American or Pacific Islander.
While pregnant, you developed gestational diabetes.
You delivered a baby who weighed more than nine pounds.
You have high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, are overweight.

There are two types of test you can request to test for pre-diabetes. One is a fasting plasma glucose test, which tests your blood glucose levels after a period of not eating. The other is called an oral glucose tolerance test. This test will put glucose into your system and test to see if you are producing insulin properly.

Of course, having pre-diabetes does not necessarily mean that you will develop diabetes. It can be prevented with exercise and the proper changes to your diet.

Medicare Web site features new tools for drug plans

2006-10-18T13:46:00.000-07:00

www.medicare.gov has recently added new tools to its website that will let you compare drug plans based on deductibles, monthly premiums, monthly or yearly costs, and drugs that are covered.

November 15th through December 13th will be the enrollment period for the prescription-drug program.

When the program started in January, names couldn’t be found and people were paying more than they expected in co-pays and deductibles. With these new features and some experience under their belt, Medicare and Medicaid anticipate a much smoother enrollment this November.

This month, Medicare will be sending out books detailing options as well as a letter from the beneficiary’s current plan that will explain if any changes are being made to their coverage. Also, some plans are not going to be available this year in which case, a letter will be sent informing the beneficiary and a new plan will have to be chosen. The website will be most useful for those that must choose a new plan due to a discontinuation of their current one.

The site is now easier to read and has more features to help you compare and choose a plan that is right for you. For example, the site allows you to sort drug plans based on different categories such as premiums, and the site also features a cost estimator that will give you better information on what you can expect to be paying and how much it may cost you if you hit a gap in coverage. Also, the site will now let you create and ID and password that will store prescription information saving you time and trouble.

With these new improvements, Medicare and Medicaid should be able to better assist their customers through their website.

Source: Article by Suzanne Hoholik - Columbus Dispatch

Walk to Cure Diabetes 2006

2006-10-04T21:18:00.000-07:00

The 12th annual JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes was held this past Sunday OCt 1 at the OSU football Stadium in Columbus Ohio. The event built off last year's success, in which the mid-Ohio Chapter managed to raise $721,000 to fund diabetes reseach. Shop4diabetics was more than happy to be a sponsor at this years 5k Walk, which kicked off at 10:30 am followed by great entertainment including live music by The Staplers, and great food from Kroger and Trader Joe's, as well as face painting, jugglers and games for the kids. We look forward to attending next year!

Types of Diabetes

2006-09-28T15:44:00.000-07:00

This post is for educational purposes and not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for specific advice relating to your personal medical condition.

TYPE 1 DIABETES

Type 1 diabetes occurs because the insulin-producing cells (called beta cells) of the pancreas are damaged. People with type 1 diabetes produce little or no insulin, so sugar cannot get into the body's cells for use as energy. This causes blood glucose to rise. People with type 1 diabetes MUST use insulin injections to control their blood glucose.
The damage to insulinproducing cells in type 1 diabetes occurs over a period of years. However, the symptoms of type 1 diabetes may occur over a period of days to weeks. Type 1 is the most common form of diabetes in people less than 20 years old, but it can occur at any age.

TYPE 2 DIABETES

Unlike people with type 1 diabetes, people with type 2 diabetes produce insulin. However, the insulin produced is either not enough or doesn't work properly in the body. When there is not enough insulin or the insulin is not used as it should be, glucose cannot get into the body's cells for use as energy. This causes blood glucose to rise.
Type 2 diabetes is most common in people over age 40 who are overweight. Some people with type 2 diabetes can manage it by controlling their weight, watching their diet and exercising regularly. Others may also need to take an oral glucose-lowering medication or insulin injections.

GESTATIONAL DIABETES

Gestational diabetes is a high blood glucose level that is discovered during pregnancy. As pregnancy progresses, the developing baby has an increased need for glucose. Hormone changes during pregnancy also affect the action of insulin, resulting in high blood glucose levels.
Pregnant women who have an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes are those who are over 25 years old, are above their normal body weight, have a family history of diabetes and are either Hispanic, African-American, Native American or Asian.
Usually, blood glucose levels return to normal after childbirth. However, women who have had gestational diabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Diabetes Risk Factors

Although the causes of diabetes are unknown, the following risk factors may increase your chance of developing diabetes:

A family history of diabetes: If a parent or sibling in your family has diabetes, your risk of developing diabetes increases.
Race or ethnic background: The risk of diabetes is increased in Hispanics, African-Americans, Native Americans and Asians.
Being overweight: If you are 20 percent or more over your desired body weight, you increase the risk of developing diabetes.

What is Diabetes?

2006-09-26T13:15:00.000-07:00

This post is for educational purposes and not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for specific advice relating to your personal medical condition.

Diabetes Mellitus is a disease that prevents your body from properly using the energy from the food
you eat.

Diabetes occurs when either:

The pancreas (an organ behind your stomach) produces little insulin or no insulin at all.

-Or-

The pancreas makes insulin, but the insulin made does not work as it should. This condition is called insulin resistance.

Insulin is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas that helps the body use glucose for energy.

To understand diabetes better, it helps to know more about how the body uses food for energy. Your body is made up of millions of cells. To make energy, the cells need food in a very simple form. When you eat or drink, much of your food is broken down into a simple sugar called glucose. Glucose (sugar) provides the energy your body needs for daily activities.

The blood vessels and blood are the highways that transport glucose from where it is either taken in (the stomach) or manufactured (in the liver) to the cells where it is used (muscles) or where it is stored (fat). Glucose cannot go into the cells by itself. The pancreas releases a substance called insulin into the blood, which serves as the helper
or the "key"- that lets glucose into the cells for use as energy.

When glucose leaves the bloodstream and enters the cells, the blood glucose level is lowered.

Compare the human body to a car. To start a car you must turn the key to move the gas to the engine. Without insulin, or the "key," glucose cannot get into the body's cells for use as energy. This causes glucose to rise. Too much glucose in the blood is called "high blood sugar" or diabetes.

Recipes: Broiled Shrimp with Chili Sauce Barra Vieja

2006-09-25T16:32:00.000-07:00

SERVING SIZE: 1/6 of recipe, SERVES: 6

Chili Sauce

6 dried New Mexico chilis
1/2 tsp ground cumin 3 ancho chilis
1/2 tsp dried marjoram
3 cloves garlic, peeled, bashed
1/2 tsp dried oregano and chopped
1/8 tsp ground cloves
2/3 cup chopped onion
1/4 tsp salt
4 Italian plum tomatoes, such as 1 Tbsp white distilled vinegar Roma, quartered
1 Tbsp molasses

Yogurt Mayonnaise

1/2 cup yogurt cheese (page 475)
1 pinch of powdered saffron
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1/4 tsp salt

Other Ingredients

24 cherry tomatoes
6 medium shrimp (about 2 ounces or 55 g each)
1 bunch watercress, thoroughly washed

Garnish

1 tsp mild chili powder
6 corn tortillas
1 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

Vegetarian Option

12 oz baby carrots (2 1/4 inch apiece)

Replace the shrimp with baby carrots (you could call them "garden prawns"), steamed for 6 to 8 minutes, or until tender but still crisp. Coat the carrots with 1/2 cup of the chili sauce and serve over watercress and tomatoes.

1. To prepare the New Mexico and ancho chilis, remove the stems and slice the chilis open lengthwise. Remove the seeds and pulp with the tip of a knife blade or a small spoon. Put the chilis in a saucepan with 1 cup of water and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat, cover, and let soak for 10 minutes.

2. While the chilis are soaking, make the yogurt mayonnaise. Whisk together the yogurt cheese, lime juice, saffron, and salt. Cover and set aside.

3. To finish the chili sauce, strain the soaked chilis, reserving the liquid. Transfer the chilis to a food processor or blender. Add the garlic, onion, tomatoes, cumin, marjoram, oregano, cloves, salt, vinegar, and molasses. Pulse, then blend until smooth, about 4 minutes. Transfer the sauce to a small saucepan. Rinse the processor bowl or blender jar with 1 cup of the pepper-soaking liquid and stir into the sauce. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, warm a medium frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook the cherry tomatoes until lightly browned on the outside. Transfer the tomatoes to a plate and gently mash with a fork. Remove most of the seeds.

5. Preheat the broiler.

6. Peel the shrimp, leaving the tail shell attached. Slit each shrimp lengthwise down the center, being careful not to cut all the way through. Remove the sand-filled vein and open the shrimp out flat, like a butterfly. Weave a toothpick through the thickest part of the meat, so that the two halves of the shrimp remain flat. Brush each shrimp generously on both sides with the chili sauce. Place the shrimp on a broiler pan and broil for 3 minutes on each side. Serve immediately.

7. To serve, divide the watercress among small salad plates. Arrange
3 crushed tomatoes and one shrimp on top of the watercress. Spoon a little chili sauce over each shrimp and top with a dollop of yogurt mayonnaise. Dust with mild chili powder and garnish with the chopped cilantro and hot tortillas.

Per serving: 172 calories, 2 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0% of calories from saturated fat, 23 g carbohydrate, 3 g dietary fiber
Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Very Lean Meat, 2 Vegetable

Vegetarian
Per serving: 135 calories, I g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0% of calories from saturated fat, 27 g carbohydrate, 4 g dietary fiber
Exchanges: 1 Starch, 3 Vegetable

Exercise guidelines for Diabetics

2006-09-24T20:44:00.000-07:00

Exercise is very important in managing diabetes. Combining diet, exercise and medication (when prescribed) will help control your weight and blood glucose levels.

Benefits of exercise

Improves your body's use of insulin
Helps burn excess body fat, helping to decrease and control weight
Improves muscle strength
Increases bone density and strength
Decreases blood pressure
Helps protect against heart and blood vessel disease (by lowering cholesterol)
Improves circulation and reduces your risk of a heart attack
Increases energy level and enhances work capacity
Reduces stress, promotes relaxation, and releases tension and anxiety
Improves physical appearance
May raise HDL or 'good' cholesterol

How exercise Affects Blood Glucose Levels

Insulin is released when the concentration of glucose in the body increases, such as after eating. Insulin stimulates muscle and fat cells to absorb the glucose they use as fuel for their activities.

Muscles store excess glucose in the form of a starch called glycogen. During exercise, muscles use stored glycogen as the first source of energy. Your body burns glycogen for energy during short bursts of exercise, such as a quick sprint to catch the bus. As the exercise continues, your muscles take up glucose at almost 20 times the normal rate.

In a person whose blood glucose is controlled, exercise may lower blood glucose levels. In the person whose blood glucose is poorly controlled (particularity for people with type 1 diabetes) exercise may increase glucose levels.

Is Blood Glucose Ever Too High to Exercise?

Yes. In some cases, you should hold off on exercising if your blood glucose is very high. The American Diabetes Association offers this basic guideline: if you find that your blood glucose level is high8 just before exercise [300 mg/dl (milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood) or higher], you should consult with your health care team and wait until your blood glucose is under control before exercising.

General Exercise Guidelines and Precautions

Check with your doctor before you begin an exercise program. Tell your doctor what kind of exercise you want to do so adjustments can be made to your medication schedule or meal plan, if necessary.
Start slowly and gradually increase your endurance.
Choose an activity that you enjoy-you'll be more likely to stick with a program if you enjoy the activity. Make exercise a lifetime commitment.
Exercise at least three to four times per week for 20-40 minutes each session. Ideally, you should exercise every day.
Wear good shoes and practice good foot care.
Consider a water exercise program. Some other exercise options include walking, riding a stationary bicycle, swimming or muscle stretching.
A good exercise program should include a 5-10 minute warmup and 15 to 30 minutes of continuous aerobic exercise (walking, biking) or muscle stretching exercises, followed by a 5-minute cool down.
To reduce the risk for hypoglycemia, the best time to exercise is ½ to 1 hour after eating.
Follow a regular routine of exercising, eating your meals and taking your medications at the same time each day.
Prolonged or strenuous exercise can stimulate the production of adrenaline and other hormones that ca counteract the effects of insulin and cause blood glucose to rise. If you are participation in strenuous exercise (exercising at your maximum capacity) or prolonged exercise (lasting for several hours or more), your insulin and/or oral diabetic medication may need to be changed. Talk to your health care provider about how to adjust your medication.
Be careful exercising when your medication is reaching its peak effect.
Do not ignore pain-discontinue any exercise that causes unexpected pain. If you continue to perform the activity while you are in pain, you mayu cause unnecessary stress or damage to your joints.
Drink water before, during, and after exercise to prevent dehydration.
Test your blood glucose before and after you exercise. If your blood glucose is 120 mg/dl or higher before exercising, do not exercise.
If you are taking insulin or an oral diabetes medication, always carry a sugar source with you while exercising.
Exercise with someone who knows what to do if you have a low blood glucose reaction.
Wear a medical identification tag or carry an identification card that states you have diabetes.