Pump Wear: do you wear an insulin pump and are never quite sure where to put it for convenience and safety's sake? Here is two companies that manufacture a clothing line specifically for holding the pump. Check out www.pumpwearinc.com (1-866-470-pump) for a children's line of clothing or Kangaroo Pump Pockets at www.mykpp.com for some children's or adult varieties. July 23, 2010 Diabetes
Information Source: Suzy Cohen, RPh (registered pharmacist)
Avocado Oil: Benefits or A Killer
It has been passed around for many years that avoiding the avocado is the best scenario for your health. This is because it is always stated how high in fats this delicious fruit is in its natural state.
But it turns out avocado's actually are good for you and your diabetic diet. It is even stated that you should be using it consistently on your salads or even for cooking.
This is because with continuous use, the avocado is a powerful liver and pancreas cleanser which can actually aid you in preventing your diabetes from getting worse.
Add some fresh avocado to your diet every day for one more defense against your fight with diabetes.
July 20,2010
Information Source: Personal Opinion
How Do I Determine Cooking Methods
Determining cooking methods just happens to be one of the most important aspects of controlling your blood sugars and retaining diabetic health.
Take a chicken and let's prepare it.
Fried chicken is cooked swimming in grease and oil. Generally it is also coated first with a breading mix or flour-based mixture before cooking. The additional calories from the breading mix and the high fats content added because of the cooking oil all make this one of the worst methods of preparation.
That same chicken saute'd in a skillet with non-stick cooking spray, 1 T. olive oil and a tomato based mixture with garlic, oregano, basil and any other spices of your choice yields an exceptional final result. When serving, remove the skin to reduce the fat content. Even better yet, refrigerate the finished dish first, scrape off any congealed fats (from the skin of the chicken which is generated by the heat during cooking) , reheat and serve -again without the skin- and you now have a low calorie, lowfat, low cholesterol, and low sodium (check the tomatoes label if using canned) version of chicken which is much better for your health.
July 14, 2010 Diabetes
Information Source: ADA (American Diabetes Assn) and National Highway Traffic Safety Commission
Mandatory Daily Checking Of Your Blood Sugar
If You Are A Diabetic
The ADA and the traffic highway commission have issued advisories reminding any individual which is diabetic to please be sure to check their blood sugars levels EVERYTIME before you get behind the wheel of a car. Hypogylcemia, or low blood sugars, are a deep threat for any diabetic, especially any type 1 diabetic and any type 2 on insulin. Do not assume you know where and what your sugars are. You can not always tell.
Many people do not show any symptoms if they are going low until they are actually below the threshold of danger, around 70 mg/dl. Having low blood sugars increases the symptoms of dizziness, your capability to think clearly and even fainting. Any of these behind the wheel of a car is a recipe for disaster.
Current laws in the case of an accident resulting in injury can mean automatic removal of your license and it is very difficult to get it back. If the investigation yields you did not check your sugars and a severe injury or death does occur to another individual, you can be brought up on criminal charges.
Play it safe and check your blood sugars before getting behind a moving automobile for your own protection and somebody else's.
July 6,2010 Allergies
Information Source: David Gutierrez, staff writer for Truth Publishing
Taste #5 Or Umami: A new name for MSG
MSG has long been considered a detriment to many people's health according to many several in the medical community. On the flip side, there is also much opposition to this thinking and very many doctor's feel it is safe and necessary as an ingredient in our processed food industry.
All the while, many people state they seem to have an allergy or intolerance with foods which contain the additive MSG.
Many foods do have glutamate, the chemical name for MSG, naturally-occuring within them. Many meats, dairy products and sauces such as soy sauce or worcestershire sauce are high in naturally occuring levels. The man-made version though was synthesized and is now commonly used as an additive in many processed food items. Over the many years, MSG has actually earned a poor universal rating because of the continuous controversy back and forth regarding its safety or lack of safety.
Now synthesized MSG has been re-named and is starting to show up on ingredient labels as Taste No.5 or umami.
If you have a pattern of difficulty with MSG, try to avoid any product which states Taste No 5 or umami on the label until you can verify your safety.
July 1,2010 Diabetes
Information Source: Esther Krug, M.D., professor at Johns Hopkins University and staff doctor at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Md.
Can Low Levels of Vitamin D Affect Your Blood Sugar Control?
During a recent 6 year sudy by Dr. Krug and her team, patients records were studied and tabulated Greater than 90% of the cases showed patients with high or inconsistent blood sugar control also showed very low levels of Vitamin D in their systems.
Vitamin D is nicknamed the "sunshine vitamin". This is because our bodies do have the capability of producing its own just by having 10-15 minutes a day with exposure on uncovered areas of the skin.
Typically, most doctors of today are not even aware of this correlation so no one is even looking or treating for this condition.
For your own health and protection, make time for yourself to get out in the daily sunshine for at least one quarter hour daily.
June 27,2010 Diabetes
Information Source: Healthy Day News
Are You On Avandia?
Avandia, a prescription medication which is used to help control the blood sugars on many type 2 diabetics, has come under fire because further testing has shown this medication has the capabilities of increasing the risks of heart attacks, heart failure and strokes in the over 65 year old population. All of these conditions, because of the increased risk from diabetes alone, are now being compromised further by use of the drug Avandia.Suggestions for this difficulty arose in 2007 and research to date has shown that it may be true. It seems the company of origin may have already known of the difficulties but pushed for entry into the selling market anyway.
If you are on this drug, please make an appointment with your doctor and have a heart-to-heart talk about your safety and its possible drawbacks.
June 15,2010 Allergies
Information Source: Truth Publishing, staff writer Ethan Huff
Sunflower Lecithin: A New Alternative For Manufacturing
One of the biggest problems for the soy allergic community it seems is if it is a food product and it went through a manufacturing process almost anywhere, then that item is off limits for the soy allergic. This is because almost every food product uses some form of soy lecithin as an emulsifier in the manufacturing process.An emulsifier is considered a necessary part of the manufacturing community. It gives the finished product a better consistency and texture for the satisfaction of the final inspector- the consumer. Almost every product on the market though does use soy lecithin though as its emulsification ingredient. This means all people with a soy allergy must avoid this product.
New on the playing field already having won the FDA stamp of approval though is sunflower lecithin. Keep your eyes and ears open because some manufacturers, especially the health food industry, has already converted their product lines over to this new ingredient.
June 20,2010 Diabetes
Information Source: Annals Of Internal Medicine periodical
A New Medication For Type 2 Diabetes?
Currently in use on the market, being used as a prescription for the relief of pain in different forms of arthritis, is a medication called Salsalate. This drug is from the genus of salicylates, commonly found in many fruits and vegetables already in the produce aisle of your grocery store.Salsalate seems to have the capabilities of reducing and maintaining a lower pain threshold in any condition which is affected by inflammation.
In controlled studies, a great percentage of people receiving this medication has shown a remarkable drop in their A1C levels.Other than the advantage of reducing blood sugar levels, it also shows the possibility some diabetics may have fluctuating levels of glucose because of high inflammation levels within their body.
It is too soon yet for doctors to be prescribing this medication for diabetes but the possibility does exist in future years one more possible route to stabilization may have been found for struggling diabetics.
June 15, 2010 Allergies/Diabetes
Information Source: Wikipedia and editor of Natural News
Organic Palm Sugar: An Up and Coming Sugar Replacement
An air-dried crystalline form of sugar, harvested and dried from the coconut tree, is the next form of sweetener which is hitting the market shelves.Palm sugar has all the advantages of being high in vitamins and minerals, it cooks, bakes, melts and acts like natural sugar when being used and it is all 100% natural. There is no refining process available.
This unfortunately is also its downfall because of slow production leads to limited availability which drives the price up very high.
June 10, 2010 Diabetes
Information Source: Dr. Magda Havas of Trent University in Canada
Type 3 Diabetes?--- No, We're Not Talking Gestational Diabetes
Has a new form of diabetes actually been found and identified?Over the years, as our society has become more and more dependant on any kind of electrical conveniences (televisions, cell phones, computers, treadmills, radio and on and on), it has been widely circulated that all of that electropollution can not possibly be helping the human body.
A Canadian research team has therefore effectively sponsored and concluded an effective and efficient double-blind study (the golden seal of approval in the medical world) of the effects of electrical over-stimulation to the human body.
The conclusive results: Type 3 diabetes is now being investigated as the over-stimulation of "dirty electricity" to any person highly sensitive to electrical pollution.
Results have shown many people have major problems with their heart rates and elevated blood sugar levels when in close contact with any device or power lines, power towers or just normal everyday household appliances and fixtures.
It has also been suggested that many type 2 diabetics may have been mistakenly diagnosed which is the reason for many of these people having difficulties maintaining good glucose control.
For more information on this topic, which is sure to spin quite a few heads in the months and years to come, check out the information here.
June 9, 2010 Diabetes
Information Source: ABC News and CNN News Broadcasts
GlaxoSmithKline Sued In California Courts For Releasing Dangerous Drugs To The Market
The pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline has been sued because of their intentional and willing marketing of the medication Avandia, a diabetes drug, which has been shown to increase the risk factors of heart disease.
It is stated that GSK knew of these risks and still marketed the medication anyway without any labeling or marketing explaining the possible side effects.
It is the right in this country (USA) for individuals to sue drug companies if there is proven inadequate labeling explaining any contra-indications of any drug released to the market.
If you presently are on this medication, please make an appointment with your doctor to have them verify your safety.
June 9,2010 Allergies
Information Source: Dr. Martin Gleixner, owner of the Moncton Naturopathic Medical Clinic in Moncton Canada
Understanding The Concept Of "Allergic Load"
Many people seem to feel much gastric distress and increased bathroom habits occasionally after eating certain types of foods. This gives a person the feeling that they have a intolerance to certain types of foods- many people even go so far as to believe it is an allergy.Then along comes the next time you have some and you feel fine after ingesting that same item(s). What's going on?
In many cases, this phenomenon can be attributed to the increase of the "allergic load" in your system.
Quite simply, this just means your body has reached a saturation point on some type of food group and your body says-"no more".
An example, if you notice you have adverse symptoms to milk products occasionally. For breakfast, you had a bowl of cereal, with milk of course and you felt fine. Lunch time comes around and how about fast food at the take-out with a creamy smooth milk shake - more milk in your shake and that slice of cheese is a milk product also on your burger. Now dinner comes around with lasagna or scalloped potatoes or whatever. Milk can sneak into your diet in many places. If you drink milk during the day as a beverage, add some ice cream for a snack and by evening to nightfall your body is complaining- no more milk. Now is when you notice the rumbling stomach with stomach pains and gas. You just over-loaded your system for that day on milk.
Whenever you notice these symptoms, think back to your diet that day and try to determine if you have over-taxed your digestive system on a single type of food group. Just remember, the foods don't have to be the same, it is the food group you are comparing. Therefore beef is beef. This is whether it is a hamburger, meat loaf, roast beef, beef bar-b-q, spareribs, beef stew and on and on.
Do a little bit of detective work and you may be able to figure out your digestive system's trigger foods.
May 12,2010 Diabetes
Information Source: Dr. Julian Whitaker, director of the Whitaker Wellness Institute
Is It Possible Cholesterol Does Not Really Matter?
Although it has not hit the air-waves yet, and most likely will not for a long time coming, current research is suggesting your cholesterol numbers have absolutely nothing to do with your susceptibility of having heart disease. High cholesterol numbers, since the 1950's, have always been an indicator of a possible pending heart attack according to the current medical protocol. But new research has shown many more people without high cholesterol are hospitalized with heart factors than the patients that do have high cholesterol. Unfortunately for the pharmaceutical industry, this can mean a $15 billion a year drug campaign can be put out of business. Cholesterol lowering statin drugs are very very big business.
May 10,2010 Diabetes
Information Source: National Diabetes Assn.
Artificial Pancreas-May Soon See The Light Of Day
A few more steps closer to being released to market is the "Artificial Pancreas", a new device which offers a solution to any type 1 diabetic incapable of producing enough insulin in their body for effective blood sugar control.The device was designed to offer a dose of insulin anytime an individual's blood sugars seem to be at an abnormally high level. The greatest advantages of this device is the diabetic is no longer dependent on checking their blood sugars continuously every day plus this device can help alleviate some of the concerns of extreme highs and lows common to the type 1 diabetic.
April 20,2010 Diabetes
Information Source: R&D Applications, Prepared Foods Trade Magazine
The Newest Natural Sweetener To Hit The Market
Keep a lookout for the newest natural sweetener that will be hitting the markets -and ingredient labels- sometime soon.
Fruit-Sweetness is the name of an all-natural, zero calorie made from actual fruit concentrate which has just recently received GRAS (generally regarded as safe) approval from the FDA for use in manufacturing and consumer sales.
Made from the actual monk fruit plant, Fruit-Sweetness is up to 300 times sweeter than actual table sugar. This means a very little can go a long way towards sweetening power wherever you need it. And yet, unlike many other artificial and natural sweeteners, Fruit-Sweetness does not have the bitter aftertastes of many other sweeteners.
April 18, 2010 Diabetes
Information Source: Everyday Health Corp. by Dennis Thompson Jr.
New Diabetic Condition On The Rise: Now Commonly Called Double Diabetes
As more and more children are being diagnosed with diabetes, the medical community has been reporting the anomaly that many of these kids seem to have a combination of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
While type i is commonly diagnosed as being insulin deficient and type 2 is generally insulin resistant, doctors are having a difficult time getting a viable treatment plan since these two conditions are treated differently.
To date, the most effective treatment is prevention. By following a continuous exercise program with an emphasis on losing or managing normal weight loss goals, this condition seems to be able to control itself.
April 19,2010 Diabetes
Information Source: M.A> Moylan, RD,LDN,CDE or a registered diabetic nutritionist and diabetes educator
How To Incorporate Citrus Fruits
Into Your Daily Meal Plan
Everyone hears the news crier proclaiming but most people just are not in the habit of sitting down and munching on an orange or drinking grapefruit juice as a snack. So for some easy ways to incorporate some "healthy" citrus fruits into your daily diet, try a few of the following simple tips:
- Combine orange or tangerine juice with seltzer water for a quick-and delicious- soda.
- Add grated orange or lemon peels when baking muffins, breads or cookies. These can also easily be added to pancake or waffle batter.
- If you enjoy homemade salad dressings, use lemon or lime juice instead of vinegar
- Stir lemon juice and 1 tsp. honey into a cup of tea. Or add a couple of slices of limes, lemons etc. to a glass of water for a refreshing drink.
- Use lemon juice instead of salt when cooking- it adds extra flavor with no calories and you lose all the disadvantages of too much sodium
- Enjoy a green salad with citrus wedges instead of bacon bits, croutons and shredded cheese
So most of these above are . You also have the advantage of fewer calories, they help you build and maintain a strong immune system and you reap the rewards of preventing tissue and cell damage because of the high antioxident content in all citrus fruits. All of these attributes add up to delaying the early symptoms of diabetes.
April 18,2010 Allergies
Information Source: Anna Mae Rose, family remedy used for years in their family
Lactose Intolerant:Can't Afford All That Special Medication And Special Milk From The Grocery Store
If you suddenly realize it seems every time you eat anything with milk and you have a grocery list of uncomfortable digestive symptoms, try relieving it with marshmallow tea.
Soak 2 tablespoons of marshmallow root in 1 qt. of cold water for 8-10 hours. Strain and drink this periodically during the day to reduce the inflammation and promote the healing of your intestinal wall.
April 18,2010 Allergies and Diabetics
Information Source: Journal Star, publication from Peoria, Il.
Local Physician Advocates A Change In Lifestyle And Food Choices For Better Health And Prevention Of Disease
Dr. Michele Couri has opted to return to school and be trained in the programs of Integrative Medicine.
Integrative Medicine is an up and coming new therapy program for many patients in this country(USA). This field is a cross between all of the standard training of conventional medicine plus nutritional therapy and research which is a part of training for many types of alternative medicine.
According to Couri, practitioners of Integrative Medicine must follow all of the research and scientific data which accompanies both conventional and alternative medicine. The difference though in her practice now is instead of handing out prescriptions continuously to mask a disease or symptom, a therapy program is devised which often just requires a few lifestyle changes. Prescriptions have been phased out and lifestyle changes replace them with emphasis on prevention and cure wherever possible.
Many of her patients have expressed the opinion that they have never felt better in their life.
April 15, 2010 Allergies
Information Source: Julian Whitaker M.D. Health and Wellness Director of the Whitaker Institute
Obesity, Asthma and Allergies Has A Direct Link In Symptoms
Obesity, asthma or allergy symptoms can all be exacerbated by the inactivity of this new generation.It has now been shown that the average American child spends a minimum of 8 hours a day in front of the TV, computer screen and playing video games. Add to this the amount of time sitting in a classroom and America's youth get no exercise. All of this inactivity leads to a greater prevalence of asthma and allergy symptoms plus extra weight which ultimately leads to early symptoms of diabetes.
April 15,2010 Allergies
Information Source: Wellness From Nature Naturally
Help From Nature For The Food Intolerant
Many people which lack, or have a shortage of, the digestive enzyme DAO have difficulty breaking down and processing foods high in naturally occuring histamines. Uncomfortable and often inconvenient symptoms such as headaches, skin rashes, diarrhea, flatulence and abdominal pain and cramping can occur from eating common foods such as coffee, sunflower seeds, chocolate, certain fruits, breads or grains plus many more.
Available now at the pharmacy in a box of tablets is the new medication Histame, which when used as directed, will decrease your sensitivity to histamine rich foods by supplying your body with a greater abundance of DAO enzymes which aid in processing any undigested foods high in histamines.
This product is not effective though for use for any diagnosed allergy such as peanut, wheat/gluten or any condition affected by the immune system.
April 15,2010 Diabetes
Information Source: Everyday Health Public Site (on the Internet)
FDA Approved Drug Shows Cancer Risks
Final approval of the new diabetes drug Victoza (liraglutide) has come under fire because of its reported risks of developing cancerous growths in laboratory studies in animals.With dosages at least eight times stronger than what is given to the human body, several testing procedures do suggest that a rare form of thyroid cancer may be possible.
Due to the over-dosing of the animals, the inconsistencies in some of the results and the fact none of the test subjects had any kind of related early deaths from the testing procedures, with controlled management, the FDA believes this new medication does have a place in today's treatment schedules for diabetes.
In a statement issued by an FDA spokesman, it was reported that all medications run the risk of some kind of adverse reactions, but Victoza does seem to bring benefits to the many patients using it during clinical trials.
April 12,2010 Diabetes
Information Source: Dr. A. Getaneh, guest speaker for Everyday Health Matters
Safe Dosage Schedule Before A Medical Exam
Many people whose blood glucose levels run very close to normal have been advised to carefully monitor their eating schedule because of the greater risk of having hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Without their meal at a pre-determined time, the consequences can actually become deadly.So what is a person supposed to do if your doctor has asked you to get some medical tests and he warns you must be fasting?
- Make sure everyone at the office understands you must have the first appointment in the morning. You can not fast all night and then wait all morning also.
- Check your blood glucose more frequently. The day before check at dinnertime and again at bedtime. On the day of the test, keep checking every one to two hours.
- Medications- some general guidelines:
Oral medicines: skip your morning dose completely unless your test is over by 12 Noon. Take your morning dose then after the test.- Short-Acting Insulin: skip it until you can have a meal and then take regular dose
- Long-Acting Insulin: take 1/2 your usual dose the night before the test
- Two Intermediate doses per day: take 1/2 your dose the night before the procedure and 1/2 the regular dose the morning of the procedure. Resume the normal dosage that evening after the test.
Drink plenty of clear liquids every few hours such as chicken or beef broth, clear carbonated beverages (not colored), Jello (no red or purple flavor varieties) or white grape juice or apple juice. Keep drinking this the day before your test up until midnight. This should prevent low blood sugars.
Keep checking your sugars though, even after the test when you have resumed eating and your meds, more often to make sure your blood sugars have stabilized.
Date: April 12, 2010 Diabetes
Information Source: American Diabetes Association
Low-Dose Aspirin Guidelines For The Diabetic
A recent change by the ADA has dropped the guidelines that all diabetic patients should be on a low-dose aspirin regimen for prevention of cardiovascular risk.New research findings point out that any female patient over 60 and any male over the age of 50 with any other major risk factor for cardiovascular disease are the only patients which need to be on this regimen. All younger adults with no risk factors do not receive any benefit from this regimen so the treatment program should be eliminated.
Date: April 12, 2010 Diabetes
Information Source: American Diabetes Assn.
The "Evil" Skin Prick Test
Your Body's Lifeline To A Long and Healthy Lifestyle
Many people make the mistake initially of having great intentions for their diabetes care. Unfortunately, this sounds great, but diabetes is not a "take special care now- go back to your original lifestyle later" type of program. Diabetes is a lifetime disease.That small glucose monitor that you were given during diagnosis is your lifeline to many years of good health. Use it!
Many people's good intentions at first slowly fade with time. The #1 excuse: "I am sick and tired of using my finger as a pincushion. I'm giving it a break".
Giving one of them fingers a break is fine but remember, you do have two hands and both of them are full of fingers. Learn to alternate fingers. There is seven days in a week,you have 8 fingers plus two thumbs. Multiple this by two because you can use both sides of your finger for testing purposes. Therefore you have a total of twenty locations to test from and only seven days in a week. You can therefore test for almost three weeks without ever using the same side of a finger for more than one day.
So letting one finger get sore because of repeated testing is just down right inconsiderate to that one finger. Spare it some pain and rotate!
Date: 04/11/10 Diabetes
Information Source: All About Diabetes, 107 Tips For Better Health and Diet
Oral Meds- Skipped Dose: What Should I Do?
We've all had it one time or another. You are either away at the right time for your medication, your simply forgot it, you slept through it and on and on. The excuses or reasons can be endless. Often, just plain old life gets in the way of our normal schedule. What should you do when you realize you missed a dose?This information is if you are a type 2 diabetic and are on pills only.
- If you are on 2 pills a day and it has been no more than 3 hours since your missed dose, go ahead and take it. If it is greater than 3 hours(when you should have taken it), wait until your next dose and resume normal dosages.
- If you are on 1 pill a day and it has been less than 12 hours since your missed dose, go ahead and take it. If it has been greater than 12 hours, just wait until your next scheduled time and resume normal dosage.
Date: April 11,2010 Diabetes
Information Source: What Is Diabetes, Prevention Books
Pre-Diabetes or Borderline Diabetic
If you've ever been notified by a doctor you have pre-diabetes, actually there is no such disease. What he is telling you though, the conditions are present that some changes need to be made for your health. Currently your blood sugar levels are still in the high-end normal range or they could be just slightly elevated over the high end normal range. You or your doctor should start checking your blood sugars occasionally to see what does develop.Some of the changes you should start incorporating into your life include:
- moderate weekly exercise at least 5 days a week
- a healthier diet (reduce the bad carbohydrates, excess fats and sugars)
- increase the good carbohydrates (fresh fruits and veges, whole grains, low-fat or non-fat dairy products and beans and legumes)
- moderate amounts of nuts and seeds
Date: April 11,2010 Diabetes
Information Source: Multiple sources from health care clinics, dental office and miscellaneous materials
Does Alcohol Affect Blood Sugar Levels
Alcohol has a tendency to lower blood sugar levels so if your levels are generally within the normal range, be sure to eat something while you drink. Without having a meal or heavy snack, usually within 6-30 hours you will notice an episode of low blood sugar.Therefore if you would prefer a drink, a moderate safe level for a diabetic equals 1 per day for a female and 2 per day for a male. These numbers include one 12 oz beer, 5 oz of wine or 1.5 oz of 80 proof distilled spirits as your one serving.
Dental Care And Cleanings
Good dental care and twice yearly minimum cleanings lead to greater control of your blood sugars. Poor dental care ALWAYS leads to uncontrolled blood sugars.Should I Quit Smoking
Smoking will always lead to an increased resistance to insulin. Your pancreas is already not producing enough or is unable to effectively use what is made- by smoking you are actually increasing the odds that you will have even greater problems with your insulin control--- effectively poor blood sugar control.
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This site is not intended to replace the advice and supervision of your professional medical treatment plan. Although all of the information is true and accurate to the best of our knowledge, we still recommend you carefully check all food labels before consuming any food product. We can not assume any legal responsibility for any illness obtained while following the advice contained on this site.
