Five Ways You’re Sabotaging Your Blood Sugar

From diabetesselfmanagement.com

Diabetes management is a struggle for many people, and often wrought with frustration. Being a diabetes educator, I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve heard people say, “I’m doing everything I’m supposed to do, but my blood sugars are still too high/low.” Not being able to rein in your readings can leave you feeling powerless over your diabetes, and that’s not a good feeling to have. In many instances, the issue is your diabetes medicine. But in others, it could be due to some things in your day-to-day routine that you’re doing (or not doing) that wreak havoc with your blood sugar levels.

You might unintentionally be actually sabotaging your efforts to improve your diabetes control. Here’s how.

1. Skimping on sleep

Living in a world that never sleeps, it’s all too easy to be on the go, whether it’s working at your job, going to school, or taking care of a family. The price you may be paying for all of this is a lack of shut-eye. Busy people jokingly say, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” not realizing that not sleeping is a sure-fire way to poor health. Not getting enough sleep doesn’t help your diabetes any, either. Sleep-skimpers are more likely to have:
• A higher A1C level
• A higher BMI (body-mass index) due to weight gain
• A higher risk of heart disease
• Sleep apnea
• Restless legs syndrome
Uncontrolled blood sugars, in turn, can affect your sleep, causing you to wake up during the night to use the bathroom or to treat a low blood sugar. You may have neuropathy, which can cause pain in your feet or legs, and that can keep you up at night. Having diabetes also makes it more likely that you’ll develop sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome.

What you can do

First, do your best to get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep every night. Think about what changes are needed in your schedule to make this happen. Then, set your room up for peaceful slumber — pull down the shades, lower the thermostat, and turn off electronic devices two hours before you go to sleep. If you have trouble sleeping, talk with your doctor about other changes you can make, and possibly getting a sleep study done.

2. Dubious dental hygiene

Periodontal (gum) disease is an often-overlooked complication of diabetes. Yet, it’s the most common form of dental disease among people with diabetes, and, left untreated, it can lead to worsening of diabetes control, tooth loss, and a higher risk of other diabetes complications, such as eye and kidney disease. Symptoms of periodontal disease include:

• Red or purplish gums
• Swollen, tender gums
• Bleeding gums
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
• Larger spaces between the teeth
• Loose teeth
• Bad breath
• A change in your bite
Other factors can raise the risk of periodontal disease, including smoking, substance abuse, hormonal changes, certain medications, and conditions such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and HIV/AIDS. Periodontal disease is treated in a number of ways, depending on the severity: deep cleaning (scaling and root planing), medication, and even surgery may be used.

What you can do

Take the time to practice good oral hygiene – this will go a long way in preventing problems down the road. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush (keep a toothbrush and toothpaste at work, if necessary). If you wear dentures, clean them daily. Floss daily. Have dental check-ups and cleanings at least twice a year. And don’t smoke.

3. Cruising on caffeine

For many people, caffeine is a must-have to jump start the day. Others rely on coffee, tea, colas, and caffeinated energy drinks throughout the day (and night) to keep them alert and awake. While studies show that coffee and caffeine may actually help to lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes, overdoing the caffeine can lead to:
• Insomnia
• Rapid heartbeat
• Nervousness
• Anxiety
• Stomach aches
• Headache
• Diarrhoea
As if these symptoms weren’t enough, too much caffeine has been linked with insulin resistance and higher blood sugars, although for some people, blood sugars may level off over time.

What you can do

If you’re having a hard time pinpointing the cause of high blood sugars, try cutting back on caffeine and see if that makes a difference. Also, if sleep is something that eludes you, ease off on the coffee or diet cola, especially later in the day or in the evening. Don’t go cold turkey, however, as that may bring on headaches and fatigue. Start swapping some of your caffeinated drinks for decaf versions. And a cup of chamomile tea at bedtime may help you feel calm and sleep better, too.

4. Smoking like a chimney

Most people probably agree that smoking isn’t a healthy habit. Yet, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 17 percent of U.S. adults smoke. Thankfully, that’s down from about 21 percent in 2005. Why do people smoke? Nicotine is an addictive drug that, initially, gives you a buzz of pleasure and energy. Over time, you build up a tolerance to nicotine that leads you to smoke more and more. But, smoking is bad news, all around. Besides being a major contributor to lung cancer, heart disease and stroke, smoking can:
• Raise blood sugars
• Increase the risk of getting pneumonia
• Contribute to diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma
• Increase the risk of kidney disease
• Affect blood flow in the legs and feet, raising the risk of infections, ulcers, and amputation
Smokers are also 30 to 40 percent more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than non-smokers.

What you can do

If you smoke, stopping is a number one priority. Not only will your blood sugars (and your health) improve, you’ll feel better, look better…and smell better, too. Talk with your doctor about options for helping you quit.

5. Filling up on fatty foods

Fat’s bad rap has eased up over the years. Gone (thankfully) are the days of having to eat fat-free foods. While some fat is necessary for overall health, the motto of “everything in moderation” is still important to keep in mind. And when it comes to managing diabetes, keeping an eye on your saturated fat intake is a wise step to take. Saturated fat, found in red meat, whole-milk dairy foods, and many processed foods, can increase insulin resistance, and may possibly impair insulin secretion. End result? Higher blood sugars.

What you can do

Focus on choosing plant-based, heart-healthy fats whenever possible, including olive, peanut, and canola oils; avocado; nuts; and seeds. Try to avoid foods that contain trans fats, as well, which can spell trouble for your heart health. Look for “0 grams” of trans fat on Nutrition Facts labels.

https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/five-ways-sabotaging-blood-sugar/

Do You Ever Feel Ashamed About Having Diabetes?

From asweetlife.org

There’s stigma everywhere when it comes to diabetes, and we as a community are constantly on notice to correct misconceptions, stereotypes, and misinformation.  Yes, we can eat carbs if we choose to, even if it’s not the best choice.  No, your aunt’s special foot massage with essential oils won’t cure us.  Sure, we love hearing about your dog who has diabetes.  There are even statements from our national diabetes organizations about how language can feed stigma, and how we can stop it.  But in the general course of our days, we may encounter people who feed that shame and blame cycle. And diabetes is hard enough without judgement and criticism.
Which is why we took to our Facebook page, asking our readers, “Do you ever feel ashamed about having diabetes?”  We wanted to know if A Sweet Life readers were encountering stigma and misconceptions, and how they were handling it.
Responses, like our readership, were diverse.
“Not ashamed, but guilty, every single day, for the financial burdens T1 has placed on my family and me.”
“Hell no! How can you be ashamed of an autoimmune disease? I didn’t cause it. I have it and I work hard to manage it daily.”
“Not a bit! Not ashamed, not guilty, didn’t ask for it anymore than anyone asks for a disease. Been type 2 almost 33 years, not overweight, eat healthy and love riding my bike.  I have diabetes, it doesn’t define who I am!”
“NO. Never ever ever!  I’m type 1 and having this disease is not my fault! I feel like same about type 2 sometimes it’s genetic and just happens!!!”
“Sometimes other people try to make me feel ashamed, I think. At least, that is how I perceive it … when they half-smile, tilt their head/shake their head/nod their head … and bring up, ‘Maybe [you] shouldn’t have enjoyed so many snacks, pastries, desserts, wine, etc.’ Um, no.  Please don’t make me feel guilty or ashamed. I already feel enough burden just by LIVING with this diagnosis every second of every minute of every hour of every day-for the rest of my life. I really try to educate and inform as many people as I can about T1D. Nobody REALLY KNOWS about it, unless they have it, it seems. And typically folks are happy to learn something new.”
“No! Why would I? It chose me not the other way around!”
“I did when I was very young and had a bad experience in public. Now I cant imagine my life without my diabetes. I dare say, I sometimes use it as an excuse to get out of things, so it would be hypocritical to be ashamed of it.”
“No. Ashamed isn’t the word I would use. Tired would be the word I would use because every day is different.”
“No, but sometimes other people think I should feel ashamed.  There’s a lot of opportunity to educate others in that moment.”
Shame and guilt seem to be by-products of a diabetes diagnosis, becoming extra emotional burdens carried by people with diabetes.  But as a community, we can build each other up and work to change the diabetes narrative.  Feeling down about stigma?  Find your community and rise up.  We’re all in this together.
To revisit an excellent article by psychologist and fellow PWD Michelle Sorensen, “We can’t manage diabetes well when it is buried beneath layers of shame.  So we must externalize it, speak about it.  That is the way to combat shame: to say it loud and accept support from others.”

https://asweetlife.org/do-you-ever-feel-ashamed-about-having-diabetes/?utm_source=ASweetLife.org+List&utm_campaign=f024440e2d-ASweetLife+Weekly+Update++-+Nov.+14%2C+2017&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5125b14cf8-f024440e2d-413392997

Type 2 Diabetes - Can Cinnamon Help Lower Your Blood Sugar?

By Beverleigh H Piepers

There is no known single diet to help prevent the development of Type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, a lot is known about different foods and nutrients that raise or lower blood sugar levels and raise or lower your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. And there is evidence a standard food spice you have in your kitchen food cupboard could help regulate your blood sugar? According to the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center in Maryland, MD, cinnamon stimulates the production of enzymes that increase the effectiveness of insulin. Researchers say the cinnamon acts as an insulin substitute for people who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and helps the body to be less insulin-resistant.

So, as well as...

• avoiding foods that cause a dramatic rise in blood sugar which in turn generates large amounts of insulin to be produced and keeps the Type 2 diabetic's sugar levels high, and
• exercising regularly,

cinnamon is another natural treatment option that could help you lower your sugar readings naturally.


Organic cinnamon is available at most natural food stores, is inexpensive and has a great taste. If you wish to try cinnamon and use it to cut your fasting blood sugar levels by 18 to 29 percent, then it is suggested between one quarter to one teaspoon is used daily. You could add half this dose to your morning breakfast, and then use the remaining portion of the dose to your evening meal. Spacing your cinnamon intake out and building up slowly to the full amount would be the best approach to ensure you do not suffer any unwanted side effects, especially while your body becomes accustomed to the compounds called polyphenol polymers.

Always advise your health care provider about any changes you plan to make to your Type 2 diabetes treatment plan and this includes if you are considering adding cinnamon...

• so any allergies to the spice can be ruled out, and
• so they can ensure your blood sugar levels are responding positively to the spice.

Although cinnamon appears very safe to use, results will vary from person to person as we are all unique.

Also, to get a good gauge on how the cinnamon spice might be helping your blood sugar levels, daily testing is recommended especially in the beginning. Don't forget to document the results. Testing often and keeping records is the best way to see if, and by how much, the cinnamon is helping to normalize your blood sugar levels.

Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Type-2-Diabetes---Can-Cinnamon-Help-Lower-Your-Blood-Sugar?&id=9890653

Glucose monitor now available on the NHS is diabetes ‘game changer’

From theengineer.co.uk

Researchers who carried out an independent study on a new type of glucose monitor, which is now available on prescription in the UK, have hailed it as a major step in the fight against diabetes.

The FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitor attaches to the upper arm and can measure blood sugar for up to 14 days. When the sensor is applied, a thin, flexible and sterile fibre is inserted just under the skin and held in place with a small adhesive pad. The small disc is designed to replace the 4-10 finger pricks Type 1 diabetes patients need to self-administer daily.
Up to eight hours of glucose data can be stored locally on the waterproof sensor, with a specialised reader used to scan the information in just one second. This data then plugs into a software system that can generate detailed reports on glucose levels, helping users and medical professionals spot patterns of spikes and lows.
“Despite major progress in the care of people living with Type 1 diabetes, many fail to achieve their target blood sugar level – and that risks major complications,” said Dr Lalantha Leelarathna, a researcher from Manchester University and a consultant diabetologist at Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.
“Our review concludes that the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitor works well for both adults and children. The studies show it is accurate, comfortable and easy to use. It is associated with a reduction in low blood sugar levels, improvements in glycated haemoglobin levels and adverse events are low.
“Our assessment of the available evidence shows that for most patients, it is a game changer.”

The monitor, which was developed by healthcare company Abbot, has been available via the NHS since November 2017. Randomised trials carried out by the research team found FreeStyle Libre use was associated with a reduction in hypoglycaemia, and also found that its accuracy was comparable to currently available real-time continuous glucose monitors. But while the benefits of the device seem clear, getting it into the hands of patients has not been straightforward.
“The challenge in the UK is to now ensure that it reaches people living with diabetes,” said Dr Emma Wilmot from Derby Teaching Hospitals.
“We are delighted that this device became available on the NHS drug tariff in November 2017. However, it is clear from the Diabetes UK map of access that this does not necessarily mean that it will make it into the hands of those who might benefit. The development of a postcode lottery for access would further add to the variation in diabetes care across the country and may adversely impact on outcomes.”

https://www.theengineer.co.uk/glucose-monitor-nhs-diabetes/

Managing Diabetes with Another Life-Changing Condition

From floridahospital.com

You’ve been told you have diabetes. At that moment, you know your whole life has changed. Your family meals. Your activity. Your routines. Your social experiences. Your time spent at a doctor’s office. They will all be a bit different. But you adjust. And you stay strong.
Then, months later, your doctor sits you down to explain that you also have heart disease, even further adding to your lifestyle changes and medical management workload. And while you can live a very fulfilling life with the right medical and self-care, it’s just not easy.
In fact, studies have confirmed that patients with multiple chronic conditions have on average:

• Increased illnesses
• Reduced physical functioning and quality of life
• Greater likelihood of persistent depression
• Less reported social well-being

Diabetes and other chronic conditions often go hand-in-hand.

And this is a very real struggle for so many because diabetes is a risk factor for comorbid chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal diseases and mental diseases, in addition to diabetes-related complications such as neuropathy, kidney disease and eye disease, affirms Jennifer Hein, clinical project manager for Florida Hospital’s corporate diabetes care program.
In fact, according to the 2017 National Diabetes Statistics Report of 7.2 million hospital discharges that were reported with diabetes as any listed diagnosis among U.S. adults aged 18 years or older in 2014, 1.5 million also had the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease.
In another study, it was found that among patients over 64 years of age, common potentially diabetes- and nondiabetes-related illnesses, including heart diseases, rheumatologic conditions and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol).
Whether this hits home to you personally, or as someone who cares for or about a person with diabetes and other life-changing chronic conditions, Hein has some tips on how to improve quality of life and health — in body, mind and spirit.

Develop healthy coping strategies

No doubt, chronic conditions will bring challenges. But developing coping strategies is one way to take them in stride by learning ways to better cope with stress. And reducing and minimizing stress is incredibly important for someone with diabetes, emotionally and physically.
Hein explains, “Stress can cause blood sugar to go up and make it more difficult to reach your glucose target range.”
She adds that blood pressure can also be affected by chronic stress, which can also influence blood sugar control and risks of complications associated with diabetes, including heart disease.
“Coping strategies is one of the aspects of care that we focus on at the Florida Hospital Diabetes Institute; we help our patients learn how to identify their stressors and build their own skills and confidence to overcome them,” Hein advises.
It could be identifying a support person to come with you to doctor appointments, engaging family members in your meal planning and prep or doing some mindfulness training.
“Bringing a family member or support person with you during doctor appointments can help because the support person can play the role of note taker and gather information that can be forgotten or not heard when a lot is discussed by medical professionals at once,” says Hein. She adds, “Having support also helps people stay connected and positive.”
And staying positive with an optimistic attitude has been linked to better health outcomes and better decision making with health and lifestyle behaviours.

Focus on problem-solving

In addition to coping with stress, it’s crucial to collaborate with your medical team to problem solve. “We encourage our patients to work with their providers to understand and collaborate on their treatment plan and with their coaches or case managers to keep ahead and organized of medical appointments, and also work through any challenges that come up,” says Hein.
A case manager can assess your entire care plan and look for any gaps in care to help you get what you need quickly and efficiently. People with diabetes and other chronic conditions are often taking several medications, seeing several medical specialists and managing many daily medical management tasks at home. This can be hard for one person to manage on a day-to-day basis.
When you build problem-solving skills and your team of support behind you, you can focus on taking control of the challenge to find solutions.

Maintain normalcy of life

Diabetes is life-changing, but it doesn’t have to change you. “We encourage all of our patients to keep active in the things they love to do; be with family, travel, be active, engage in hobbies — whatever it is that makes them feel fulfilled,” notes Hein.
While some activities might have to be modified, it’s important to try to maintain as normal of a life as possible to boost the spirit and keep a positive outlook on life.

Develop a self-care routine

Routines help all of us. And for people that have a lot to manage in one day, routines are critical. Diabetes in addition to other chronic conditions likely requires multiple medications taken at very specific times multiple times per day.
“We recommend that patients use tools such as a seven-day pill box so that they stay organized and don’t miss their medications,” advises Hein.
She adds, “We also recommend that patients tie their medication and monitoring routines into something that they do every day, such as putting their meter out where they are eating at mealtime to check blood sugar, placing the glucose tablets or medication for low blood sugar in several convenient spots that can be grabbed right away, and using technology to set audible reminders.”
Exercise and meals are also an important part of a self-care routine. The more you build routines, the more you take ownership of managing your conditions and health.

Be proactive with health and learning

“Diabetes can seem like a part-time job, adding another chronic illness can intensify the complexity, so it’s helpful to think about how to simplify managing the illness, which is critical to your outcomes,” says Hein.
One of the ways you can be proactive about managing your health is using online portals to look at your labs and jot down any questions to ask your doctor at your next appointment.
And because diabetes and chronic conditions are often evolving, staying up-to-date with continuing education about your conditions is vital for your well-being.

https://www.floridahospital.com/blog/managing-diabetes-another-life-changing-condition

10 Easy Ways to Make Your Daily Routine Healthier

From asweetlife.org

Being active is a crucial part of diabetes management. Although a lot of us dread exercising, it’s one of the most effective ways to improve blood sugar control. And the good news is, it doesn’t have to be torturous. Here are ten tips from certified trainer, Rob Bloom, for living a healthy life and moving well.

1. Don’t get stuck

Allocate 10 minutes each day to run through a basic routine of full body mobility movements and stretches. This will ensure that through the years you don’t lose your range of motion in your joints.

2. Walk

Who said exercise has to be intense all the time? Spend as much time on your feet each day as you do sitting. Walk around the office, walk your commute, and even a bit of housework is enough to balance out your sedentary time.

3. Pay attention to your posture

Good postural alignment when sitting or standing enables you to move better, and prevents fatigue. When your posture is correct, you remove strain from your spine. While good posture isn’t necessarily as simple as standing or sitting up tall and elegantly, it’s a good start. Try to be aware of how much you slouch. Watch people passing in the street, or look across the room at your colleagues. If you’re constantly noticing the way others carry themselves, you’ll be more aware of yourself.

4. Control your breathing

Once you’re sitting and standing tall, begin breathing deep into your diaphragm while lifting your ribcage up and outwards (forwards). This will strengthen the important connection between breathing and posture.

5. Get a massage

There are many different techniques to relax your body and mind. While we sometimes need an elbow or hard ball to break up deep fascial adhesions, oftentimes all we need is the light touch of fingertips across the surface of our skin to help relive muscular tension.

6. Go slow

In order to build good habits, practice your movements slowly and in a controlled manner. With solid foundations you’ll be prepared for endurance and agility when it matters. Rushed movements can lead to injury.

7. Wear foot shaped shoes

Pay attention to your feet and check them for sores everyday. Foot care is one of the most important aspects of living well with diabetes and the wrong shoes can harm your feet and inhibit your movements. The excessive padding, distorted arch, and squashed toe shape of most shoes can contribute not only to foot ulcers, but to the weakening of all the muscles that support our ankles, control our arch, and aid our balance. For most people, flat and thin shoes that protect our soles, but don’t influence our how we stand or walk, are the best choice. The right shoes can make a difference to our knee, hip, and ankle health. If you have foot injuries or ulcers, be sure to ask your doctor which shoes are right for you.

8. Twenty minutes per day is better than two hours twice a week

The consistency and continuity of your training schedule will bring better results than a less frequent difficult or long session. Working on your mobility daily will instill good habits and create a solid foundation.

9. Lift up your smartphone

If you must hold your phone while you’re walking, lift it up to face level so you can still maintain healthy posture. In addition to relieving your neck and shoulders from the strain of holding your head in a drooped position for extended periods of time, if you put your phone down for a bit, you’ll see new sights every single day.

10. Pay attention to your diet

If your motivation for training is about the way you look then press pause and take a look at the way you eat. To change your appearance and/or improve your overall health, your diet should be strict. And for people with diabetes, a low carb diet is often the best choice, both for weight and blood sugar control.

It takes approximately three months to build good habits, so now is a good time to start if you want to be in great shape for summer.

https://asweetlife.org/10-ways-to-make-your-daily-routine-healthier/?utm_source=ASweetLife.org+List&utm_campaign=8635288560-ASweetLife+Weekly+Update++-+Nov.+14%2C+2017&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5125b14cf8-8635288560-413392997

Can Dogs Smell Diabetes?

From wagwalking.com

Introduction

Animals have a keen sense of what we are feeling, but research in the past several decades has demonstrated that dogs are able to sense several changes in our physiology even before we do. The human anatomy, while puzzling, puts forward chemical changes dogs can sense, particularly so if they are trained to do so. Dogs have been trained to assist humans with all sorts of medical conditions ranging from blindness to mobility issues. In this article, we explore the possibility of dogs smelling changes in blood sugar for diabetics. We will investigate how it is they are able to do this, and what benefits it provides.

Signs & Body Language to Look for

Dogs that are able to sense drops in blood sugar will usually react with body language that reads as discomfort or anxiety depending on their level of training. If the animal is trained specifically on hypoglycemic detection, they may respond in a very direct way of getting your attention such as pawing at you or jumping up on your knee.
While it can vary greatly depending on the dog and the training they have had, here are some general signs to look for from a dog sensing a change in blood sugar. Dogs will usually nudge and bark in order to alert their owner. If they are not trained, yet still sense this change, dogs may also start guarding their human in the case that they lose consciousness. The dog will likely be very alert and unnerved when it senses an impending this change in blood sugar, which can be noticeable in the overall demeanour of the animal. This demeanour will likely read as concern or anxiousness.
Reading a dog’s body language is of the utmost importance in both training a dog to alert to low blood sugar and making sure that you do not miss the signs. These signs might vary from breed to breed, and some are more skilled in sensing changes in blood sugar. Often times Retrievers or Labs are used as detection dogs due to their size and quick learning capabilities.

Body Language

Below are some signs that a dog may give you if they sense a change in blood sugar levels:

• Alert
• Barking
• Guarding
• Jumping up

Other Signs

Some other signs dogs may give include:

• Acting Restless
• Barking Until Someone Else Responds
• Carrying Out a Trained Behaviour

History of Diabetic Alert Dogs

Diabetes is a disorder under which the pancreas does not produce insulin. This disorder, caused by genetics, illness, or lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise comes in two types. Some cases are more severe than others, and usually, diabetic alert dogs are recommended for those that are entirely insulin dependent because falls in blood sugar can happen rapidly without the person noticing.
Diabetic alert dogs have been used for many years, but little research has been completed on just how efficient they are for the exorbitantly high price tag.  These dogs are also usually equipped to get medical assistance in the case of an emergency.
There have been several case studies in recent years interrogating the efficiency of glycemia alert animals, particularly for patients with type 1 diabetes. Despite their owners exhibiting the utmost confidence in their faithful companions, researchers frequently found that these alert dogs were only able to alert around 40% of the time before a significant drop was seen.
In comparison to technological devices, like a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), designed for this task with an efficiency rate of 70%, it is difficult to say with certainty that an alert dog is the best option. That said, these alert dogs provide a comfort and peace of mind that devices cannot provide through the power of companionship. Similar to dogs trained to alert on seizures, it is recommended that glycemic alert dogs are used as a supplementary precaution.

The Science of Dogs Smelling Diabetes

The science behind a dog’s ability to detect a drop in blood sugar is absolutely fascinating. There are many different theories as to why dogs can detect this drop in blood sugar, but the most frequent one rests on the production of isoprene. Research shows that dogs have this unique ability because of their highly sensitive sense of smell.  When an individual’s blood sugar drops, there are spikes of the chemical isoprene in their breath. While it is disputed why this increase is observed, it is suggested that dogs are able to smell this change of chemical makeup on a person’s breath as they exhale.
It is also debatable that dogs are able to sense a subtle change in a human’s demeanour, such as sweating or shaking, that signals them to alert on a drop in blood sugar.

Training a Diabetic Alert Animal

Like many diseases dogs have been linked to being able to detect, there is a clear gap between scientific fact and the reality. This consideration makes it difficult to train dogs for these tasks because trainers may struggle in knowing what to look for in both the human and the dog.
If glycemia alert dogs are being formally trained by an organization specializing in this field, the training strategies are rigorous. Dogs are first introduced to the jacket they will wear, which can hold anything from an emergency panic button to quick sources of glucose for consumption. These animals are rewarded through positive reinforcement and treats to paw at or nudge their handlers as soon as they begin sensing a drop in blood sugar. Similar to how drug dogs are trained, these animals are encouraged to explore a variety of different smells in order to learn which ones they will be rewarded for alerting to.
It is not recommended to try and train any dog to do this kind of work, as it takes a highly skilled animal to provide this service with accuracy. That said, some people report that their dog sometimes alerts on blood sugar drops without ever having been trained to do so.
In the early stages of owning a diabetic alert dog, it is critical to keep record of every time they alert and check their accuracy. Owners should be diligent in recording any false alerts, as this may be a sign of a need for extra training.

Safety Tips When Using a Dog to Detect Blood Sugar Levels

• 
  Do not replace your medication with a dog's senses.
• 
  Always rely on a more accurate method.
• 
  Look out for false alerts!
• 
  
• https://wagwalking.com/sense/can-dogs-smell-diabetes                   

A Smartphone App to Help Women Diagnosed With Gestational Diabetes

By Beverleigh H Piepers

Again and again, education proves to be a boon to people who have been diagnosed with diabetes including Type 2 and Gestational diabetes. In December of 2017, the journal Acta Diabetology reported on a study showing women with a higher education level fared better than less well-educated women when dealing with Gestational diabetes.
Scientists at the Coimbra Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra and various other research facilities in Portugal compared 4490 women who had been diagnosed with diabetes during their pregnancy. Six weeks after giving birth women who had less than 6th-grade education or a 6th to 9th-grade education were at a higher risk of blood sugar abnormalities than the women who had at least one university degree. The researchers concluded intervention aimed at women with lower educational attainment could be useful for preventing Type 2 diabetes after having Gestational diabetes. Intervention could be significant because 7 percent of mothers can be expected to develop Type 2 diabetes five to ten years after having Gestational diabetes.

According to the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a smartphone based feedback system was helpful for women during their pregnancy to aid in the control or the prevention of diabetes of pregnancy and optimizing the outcomes in 120 women in Israel.
The study reported on in February of 2018, took place at the Edith Wolfson Medical Center in Holon, Israel. Participants were randomly assigned to...

• routine care or
• routine care plus a smartphone application.

The smartphone participants were better able to follow instructions on self-care and averaged a fasting blood sugar level of 105 mg/dL (5.5 mmol/L) versus 112 mg/dL (6.2 mmol/L) in the usual care group...

• a total of 13.3 percent of the smartphone group required insulin treatment compared to
• 30.0 percent of the routine care only group.

The women in the smartphone group reported high satisfaction using their smartphones along with their obstetrical care in general.

In 2017 the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS) approved a smartphone application for women diagnosed with diabetes during their pregnancy. The app replaces the conventional method of patient diaries and clinical appointments and so far has reduced hospital visits by one quarter. The tool is called GDm-Health and was developed by Drayson Technologies. The application works with Bluetooth or NFC, reporting blood sugar readings to the NHS. Information from the app is also accessible to the pregnant woman's obstetrician. Similar devices are being tested throughout the world and could become the standardized method for controlling Gestational diabetes and preventing the subsequent development of Type 2 diabetes worldwide.

Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Type-2-Diabetes---A-Smartphone-App-to-Help-Women-Diagnosed-With-Gestational-Diabetes&id=9885466

Efforts Are Needed to Help Pregnant Women with Diabetes

From wiley.com

Researchers who analysed data from the UK’s National Pregnancy in Diabetes Audit found concerning shortcomings in pregnancy preparation and prenatal care for women with diabetes. In addition, significant clinic-to-clinic variation across the England and Wales suggests opportunities for improvement.
The authors of the Diabetic Medicine analysis noted that better integration of care between primary and specialist teams; more effective use of technology; and focus on sex, contraception, and pregnancy planning are needed. 
“A nationwide commitment to delivering integrated reproductive and diabetes healthcare interventions is needed to improve the health outcomes of women with diabetes,” wrote the authors.
Data from the National Pregnancy in Diabetes (NPID) audit: Challenges and Opportunities for Improving Pregnancy Outcomes

http://newsroom.wiley.com/press-release/diabetic-medicine/efforts-are-needed-help-pregnant-women-diabetes

Ten Ways to Lower Blood Sugar

From diabetesselfmanagement.com

Diabetes is a disease of high blood sugar. Keeping blood sugar levels in target range can help reduce the risk of diabetes complications and improve your quality of life.
For example, Dr. Richard Bernstein, author of Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 12. He figured out strategies lowering his blood sugar levels and is now 83 and still working, lifting weights, teaching, and writing. He has had no major complications.

With the right approach, you might be able to do something similar. Here are ten ways to lower blood sugar:

1. Eat fewer carbs

Sugar in the blood is called glucose. Glucose comes from the carbohydrate in food, and refined carbohydrates — often white foods like sugar and white bread — contribute a large amount of carbs to the diet. These foods get in your system too fast for your body to respond. But all carbs break down into glucose eventually. Starches, including starchy vegetables like squash and sweet potatoes, also contain carbohydrate. These foods just take longer to get into your system.
The best way to lower your sugar is to reduce the amount of carbohydrate you eat. When you do have carbohydrate-containing foods, they should be healthful items, such as green vegetables and whole grains. Avoid refined sugars as much as you can. You can learn more about low-carbohydrate eating for diabetes by reading “Carbohydrate Restriction: An Option for Diabetes Management.”

2. Move more

Glucose is our bodies’ main fuel source. You have to burn that fuel or it will stay in your blood (or be stored as fat) and cause problems. Aerobic exercises like walking or bicycling are good, but just moving more throughout the day — taking stairs instead of elevators, parking farther away, doing gardening or housework, standing at your desk, and so on — will also ower blood sugar.
The most important time to walk may be after meals: You’ve just taken in sugar; now use it. See ideas for starting exercise here.

3. Get strong

Muscles burn more glucose than any other type of tissue, even when they’re not exercising. Some studies show strengthening improves balance, sleep, and mental health. Weights or resistance training make you stronger and help lower your blood sugar.

4. Try plant medicines (with your doctor’s OK)

These include items such as bitter melon, okra, guava, cinnamon, mulberry, ginger, turmeric, and many others that can help lower glucose in a variety of ways. Some keep glucose out of the system; others help cells use it. You can read about some herbs that may be helpful for managing blood sugar here.

4. Use your prescription medicines as directed

Prescription diabetes medications can help lower blood sugar levels, and in some cases, they are necessary, as in the case of insulin for people with Type 1 diabetes. Medicines have side effects, though, and many are expensive. Work with your doctor to figure out what’s right for you, and remember that medicines are never the only aspect of treating diabetes. You still have to care for yourself through diet, exercise, stress management, and other lifestyle measures.

5. Sleep.

Lack of sleep is known to cause insulin resistance, raising blood sugars. Sleep is not a waste of time; it’s your body’s time to heal.

6. Reduce stress.

Get out of bad life situations, or change them, or get help with them — for example, talking with your partner about an issue between you, instead of letting it fester. You can also manage stress with exercise, meditation, prayer, time in nature, pleasurable activities, therapy, or other ideas you can read about here.

7. Eat more fibre

Fibre is carbohydrate that is largely indigestible by our bodies, and it is good for diabetes and digestive health. Good sources include green vegetables, beans, and whole grains.

8. Take vinegar

Studies show that taking vinegar before meals lowers the after-meal spike in sugar levels. Taking it at bedtime can lower your fasting glucose.

9. Monitor smart

Glucose monitoring can show you what raises your blood sugar and what lowers it, but you need to do it right. Routine checking at the same times every day doesn’t do much good, unless you’re taking insulin, when you need to do it for safety. Monitor intelligently to learn how different foods, activities, and stresses affect you.

10. Get a good blood sugar monitor and learn how to use it

Learn about monitoring before and after a food or activity to see the effect it has on you. Learn about “Making Your Blood Glucose Monitor Work for You.”

https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/ten-ways-lower-blood-sugar/

Exercise Is King - Again

By Hilary Green

Like most mature adults, I am on high blood pressure medication. Which I find really irritating. SO I have been looking for ways to reduce my blood pressure enough to not need the chemical medications I am taking.
As always, research beckoned, where I found so many offerings that I almost got lost in the research instead of what I really intended to do.

1. I hate to admit it, but the first thing that came up was, to lose weight, taking particular note of your waist measurements, (under 40 in for men, 35 in for women), so assuming there are others out there like me, I am passing some of them on to you.
The following is from the staff at The Mayo Clinic
"Blood pressure often increases as weight increases. Being overweight also can cause disrupted breathing while you sleep (sleep apnea), which further raises your blood pressure.
Weight loss is one of the most effective lifestyle changes for controlling blood pressure. Losing just 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) can help reduce your blood pressure.
Besides shedding pounds, you generally should also keep an eye on your waistline. Carrying too much weight around your waist can put you at greater risk of high blood pressure."

2. Then, exercise:- Just 30 mins most days of the week (I try to manage 5), can have an enormous impact and can lower your blood pressure by as much as 4 to 9 ml mercury (mm Hg). I am so up for that! Best options - walking, jogging, cycling, swimming or dancing, or even strength training.

I think most of us can manage a walk or two and for me, if it's not an option, then I work out on some floor exercises at home. For weights I use a couple of bottles of water and sit on the edge of the sofa for leg workouts.

3. Keep to a healthy diet. It is recommended that you Be a smart shopper. Read food labels when you shop and stick to your healthy-eating plan when you're dining out, too. It's not always easy, but the benefits are huge.
Try to eat fewer processed foods. Only a small amount of sodium occurs naturally in foods. Most sodium is added during processing. Checking the labels will show just how much sodium (salt) and sugars of various kinds are added during the processing. These are added as much to increase the shelf life of a product, which doesn't appeal to me in the slightest.
These days I've started freezing my own vegetables, which I found so much less complicated and difficult than I thought. So now I have a freezer full of frozen vegetables that contain no sugar, salt which I admittedly added to the water. But, I only blanched the veggies and used the same water for any that don't add a strong flavour to the water. So my salt use is kept to a minimum.
I then checked out some foods etc that can help with lowering blood pressure. Now I've never gone in much for flavoured teas, except green and Earl Grey, but on the research front I came across the following.
Hibiscus tea contains phytochemicals that play a role in reducing blood pressure, Soy contains Isoflavones which can also help reduce the systolic blood pressure reading (the one on top). They also help in the production of nitric oxide enzymes, which help in the relaxation of blood vessels, reducing blood pressure.

4. Quit smoking

5. Work on reducing your stress levels.

6. Every cell in the body has a receptor for Vitamin D so work on absorbing, or taking Vitamin D. This can be found first and foremost in the sun's rays. It needs to be noted that if you live more than 35% up or down from the equator, this can lead to very little being absorbed as the sun's rays are weaker. Although, exposing arms and legs to the sun for 5-45 minutes between the hours of 10am - 3pm, is usually enough to meed the daily requirements for most skin types.
It can be found in oily fish, fish liver oil and egg yolks, among others. Every cell in our bodies have a receptor for Vitamin D. It's deficiency is also linked to type 1 Diabetes, MS, high blood pressure and thyroid problems.
Thanks to Authority Nutrition at Healthline.
Overweight people can also need higher amounts of the vitamin.
Don't forget alcohol -
Generally more than one drink a day for women and for men older than age 65, or more than two a day for men age 65 and younger. One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, five ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor.

Drinking more than moderate amounts of alcohol can actually raise blood pressure by several points. It can also reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure medications.
Sadly (for me), Caffeine is also bad for blood pressure levels. But then, having reduced my intake has been quite good really, so can't complain.

Generally, Overall -
Blood pressure needs to be less than 120/80
To avoid high cholesterol - Keep numbers to less than
100 mg for LDL (bad) cholesterol.
60 mg + for HDL (good) cholesterol.
If overweight, or to prevent becoming overweight, watch waist measurements stay under 40 in - men, 35 in - women.
Exercise regularly
Eat less than 7% of calories in saturated fat.
Eat less than 200 mg of dietary cholesterol foods.
So, if we want to avoid, or reverse our dependency on chemicals, following a diet plan that can actually help, is a no brainer really, isn't it?
A final note, Statins are partly responsible for making recipients tired and suffering from memory loss. Another reason for being able to avoid having to take such medications I think.
This research is an amazing way of finding and, where possible, avoiding the common situations many of us encounter when we reach adulthood, for some, this doesn't just mean when we are past the age of 55.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Exercise-Is-King---Again&id=9883912

Here’s how you can calculate your diabetes risk at home (All you need is a tape measure)

From health24.com

This health test is tailor-made for you: you can actually predict your diabetes risk with a tape measure.
A Chinese study found that guys with a waist-to-height ratio of 0.5 or higher were more likely than those with a lower ratio to have either prediabetes or undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.
Study author Dr Xiuying Qi says this method may trump body-mass index and waist-to-hip ratio as a way to gauge visceral fat – the lard that lurks between your organs and disrupts your blood sugar.

Calculate your ratio
To find your ratio, wrap a tape measure around your waist at the midpoint – between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hip bones.
Divide that figure (in cm) by your height (also in cm). The resulting number is your ratio.
For example, say your waist circumference is 100cm and your height is 170cm, 100 divided by 170 equals 0.5882.
Rounded off, that gives you a ratio of 0.59, which is just greater than 0.5, meaning you have an elevated risk of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.

https://www.health24.com/Lifestyle/Man/Your-health/heres-how-you-can-calculate-your-diabetes-risk-at-home-20180208

Study examines shift work and genetic risk factors for type 2 diabetes

From sciencedaily.com

A new study takes a deep look at the connection between shift work and type 2 diabetes. Investigators at Brigham and Women's Hospital leveraged data on hundreds of thousands of people in the UK Biobank to better understand how shift work -- especially frequent night work -- contributes to the likelihood of type 2 diabetes. The team also developed a genetic risk score for type 2 diabetes, examining genetic data for tens of thousands of workers in the database. They found that more frequent night work increased the odds of type 2 diabetes, regardless of genetic type 2 diabetes risk, among the population studied. Their results are published this week in Diabetes Care.
"We see a dose-response relationship between frequency of night shift work and type 2 diabetes, where the more often people do shift work, the greater their likelihood of having the disease, regardless of genetic predisposition," said co-first author Céline Vetter, PhD who conducted this work while at the Channing Division of Network Medicine at BWH, along with co-first author Hassan S. Dashti, PhD, RD. Vetter is now an assistant professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder. "This helps us understand one piece of the puzzle: frequency of night shift work seems to be an important factor."
The team examined data from more than 270,000 people, including 70,000 who provided in-depth lifetime employment information and a subgroup of more than 44,000 for whom genetic data were available. More than 6,000 people in the sample population had type 2 diabetes.
Using information on more than 100 genetic variants that are associated with type 2 diabetes, the research team developed a genetic risk score that they used to assign a value to each participant. As expected, those with the highest genetic risk scores were almost four times as likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared to individuals who had lower genetic risk scores. Shift work did not change this probability, suggesting similar effects of night shift work regardless of an individual's genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes.
The team found that, compared to day workers, all shift workers were more likely to have type 2 diabetes, except for permanent night shift workers. Those who reported working irregular or rotating shifts with usual night shifts were 44 percent more likely to have type 2 diabetes, after taking into account other established risk factors.
"Our results suggest that these two risk factors both play a role in type 2 diabetes likelihood," said corresponding co-senior author Frank A.J.L. Scheer, PhD, Director of the Medical Chronobiology Program and neuroscientist in the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders in the Departments of Medicine and Neurology at BWH. "Our finding that there does not seem to be an interaction between those two type 2 diabetes risk factors is novel, and requires replication in future studies, especially in other populations of non-European ancestry."

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180212121228.htm

Going the Distance: 50 Marathons with Type 1 Diabetes

From asweetlife.org

When Ross Baker completed his first marathon in New York City at the age of 28, it was because a friend had challenged him to do so. Little did he know that crossing that finish line in November 2000 was actually the beginning of something much bigger, something he would dedicate almost two decades of his life to fulfilling.
 “When I ran NYC, I saw a man wearing a 50 states and D.C. Marathon Club shirt. It intrigued me,” says Baker.
Elated by the challenge and accomplishment of completing one of the largest marathons in the world, Baker wanted more. He remembered the man’s shirt and set out to complete 49 more marathons, one in each U.S. state, all while managing type 1 diabetes.  Baker saw the challenge as a way to travel throughout the country and as a way to show his faith in a visible way.

Although creating awareness for type 1 diabetes wasn’t Baker’s primary intention, he has done just that. On October 15^th 2017, after finishing the Maui Marathon, the 45-year-old law enforcement officer and single dad became the first person with type 1 diabetes to complete a marathon in every state. Seventeen years after the NYC Marathon, he’d completed his goal. “I wanted to show others what you could do with T1D, but I also wanted to show myself what I was capable of,” Baker says. He also said the challenge has made him resilient and purposeful, and extremely confident in handling adversity, something diabetes demands and teaches you as well.
He originally planned to run 3-5 races per year and finish in 15 years. At first, he sought out races he could drive to, checking off 7 states near his North Carolina home that first year. He then realized he needed to plan and budget for longer distance trips.
  “I tried to plan trips that were no longer than 3 days, so I could return to my family quickly,” says Baker, who has two daughters, ages 8 and 15. “I also took others along whenever possible.”
Diagnosed with T1D at 19, Baker has dealt with diabetes the entire time he has been running marathons. But other personal and health issues created additional challenges along the way. A serious car accident in 2008, a bout with thyroid cancer in 2009, and a divorce in 2015 were all things that tested his strength and resiliency. Running has helped him persevere and overcome these challenges.
“I can go the distance,” he says.
To manage his blood sugar during training and races, Baker says he always had a plan. He was always prepared for low blood sugars, carrying food and drinks with him on every run. He would also plan his routes to pass by grocery or convenience stores, and would choose things to eat that were easy to chew and wouldn’t melt. Baker has used Omnipod, a wearable, tubeless insulin pump, since 2013. He says the device has made it easier for him to control his blood sugar without the aggravation of carrying syringes and vials of insulin.
Baker also always made sure that those around him knew he had diabetes, so they could help if needed. “When running, it’s not always easy to distinguish between fatigue and hypoglycemia,” he says.
While living with diabetes is tough, Baker hopes others will see his accomplishment as an example of how people like him can set and reach big goals. He says being diagnosed with T1D isn’t a death sentence, it’s a life sentence, so live your life and don’t dwell on it. “You may have to work harder, but the results will be sweeter!”
Now that Baker’s marathons are behind him, he is onto new challenges, like completing a half-Ironman triathlon and hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro. He also hopes to write a memoir of his marathon journey, and hopes others, with or without T1D, will be inspired to follow their dreams.
“This is the only life you have,” he says. “Pursue your dreams and find happiness in the steps.”

https://asweetlife.org/going-the-distance-50-marathons-with-type-1-diabetes/?utm_source=ASweetLife.org+List&utm_campaign=f9da6f2395-ASweetLife+Weekly+Update++-+Nov.+14%2C+2017&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5125b14cf8-f9da6f2395-413392997

The Diabetes Miracle

From bookshare.org

Synopsis

The breakthrough 3-step program to conquer type 2 diabetes with little to no medication. If you've been diagnosed with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, it's easy to think, "How did this happen? I watched what I ate. If only I had tried harder, eaten fewer calories and burned more. " But you're not alone, and it's not your fault. Many traditional diets can actually promoteinsulin resistance over time because they don't take into account your different metabolism. You may be one of the millions who have Metabolism B (metabolic syndrome), an inherited condition that can cause your body to overreact to carbohydrate foods, release excess insulin, and gain body fat--and eventually develop type 2 diabetes. The good news is that you can take control of your diabetes, starting today. When registered dietician Diane Kress herself developed this condition over a decade ago--despite following the ADA-recommended dietary guidelines--she realized that the "status quo" nutrition plans just don't work for everyone. In The Diabetes Miracle, she identifies the reason why. Now, she shares the groundbreaking 3-step program that she has created for the prevention and management of this progressive, potentially fatal condition. It's the miracle diet and lifestyle plan that thousands of her patients have been successful with--and that Kress personally adheres to today, controlling her diabetes without medication. Now you can get the facts and eat to treat the root cause of type 2 diabetes. With The Diabetes Miracle, you can expect to: Correct your body's insulin imbalance naturally and stop the progression from Metabolism B to prediabetes to diabetes "Rest, reset, and retrain" your pancreas to process carbs and react more normally to blood glucose changes Lose weight and keep it off--especially the love handles and excess back fat Get the best blood sugar readings you have experienced since your diagnosis on the least amount of medication Have more energy, sleep great, look younger, and feel healthier Gain control of type 2 diabetes on an easy, livable program This diabetes bible provides clear details about the disease itself, the newest parameters for diagnosis, and preventing complications. Kress also gives you the most up-to-date information on blood glucose testing, medications, the use of insulin, and tricks of the trade for great blood sugar control. With helpful Q&A throughout and a fresh, compassionate approach, The Diabetes Miracle takes the frustration out of living with type 2 diabetes so that you can take control. . . permanently. Get ready for better health and a brand new lease on life!

https://www.bookshare.org/browse/book/1926933?returnPath=L2Jyb3dzZS9sYXRlc3Q%2FbW9kdWxlTmFtZT1wdWJsaWM%3D

Green Tea and Aged Garlic Might Help Prevent Diabetes, PreDiabetes

From endocrineweb.com

Two recent studies—one on green tea and the other on aged garlic—found that extracts from these foods may be beneficial to individuals who have diabetes or who are at risk for developing the disorder.
But don’t run out and buy green tea extract or garlic extract just yet! If they offer any health benefits, the best result occurs when they are taken in conjunction with other strategies, experts say.
 “Everybody wants that one-pill fix,” says Sherri Findley, MS, RD, a dietitian at University of Florida Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida, “Of course, it’s tempting to take a product and hope it will prevent these diseases.”

Findings of AntiDiabetes, Obesity Properties 
 For the recent clinical trial on aged garlic extract that focused on 51 adults  with obesity,¹ investigators focused on whether daily supplements of aged garlic extract might reduce inflammation and improve immune function in obese adults. There was some evidence that taking aged garlic extract (3.6 grams) might improve blood cholesterol levels and have a favourable effect on the immune system.

In the second study, also published in the journal Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, 120 women who were overweight (body mass index >24) were assigned to consume green tea extract (1 gram), metformin, or green tea with metformin.² The evidence suggested that green tea extract outperformed metformin in terms of improving blood sugar control in women who did not have diabetic but were overweight and therefore considered at risk for developing the condition. 

Such Small Studies Only Offer a Bit of Hope, for Now

Angela Fitch, MD, FACP, associate professor and vice president of primary care at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine/UC Health in Ohio, says that the catechins in green tea have health benefits. “We know that these catechins can help with blood sugar regulation,” she says.

It is still unclear whether either of these extracts could prove useful in managing glucose in people with diabetes. Nearly half of all Americans have diabetes, or prediabetes, which is a condition that causes blood glucose levels to rise above normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. Individuals with prediabetes, who are at risk of developing diabetes as well as cardiovascular disease, are often advised to lose weight to reduce the risks associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
While results from the two studies look promising, it is important to keep in mind that they both involved a small number of people and that if the same research was conducted with larger numbers of subjects, the findings might end up being quite different, Fitch says. “The two studies show a benefit, but if we repeat these studies with 10,000 patients, they may show no connection between the extracts and improvements in diabetes symptoms,” she says.
Findley says taking aged garlic extract would not be a part of her current recommendation for obesity-related disease states. “There could be potential evidence that it might be applicable to heart concerns and cholesterol levels, but not for weight control,” she says.

Go With Strategies that Offer the Greatest Possible Benefits
Here are a few things to try.

• A little less weight matters most.  “Losing just five to 10 percent of your body weight is shown to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 50 percent,” Fitch says.
• Move a bit more. Physical activity—even walking—is a wonderful way to prevent the development of prediabetes, or diabetes, Findley says. “It’s a sure way to get the cells, the insulin, and your blood sugar to talk to each other better,” she says. Try to get in some form of activity, such as walking or Zumba, for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week, she says. Or use a walking app for motivation to track your steps; and, aim for 10,000 steps daily.
• Pay attention to meal frequency, Findley says. What you eat and how often will have the greatest influence on your body weight, and ultimately your blood sugar levels. If you can, have a bigger breakfast and lunch and a smaller dinner. Others find it better to skip lunch and have a grain-free dinner most easily manage their weight and blood sugar.
• Focus on protein. Add a bit of protein to every meal and snack to help keep your blood sugar stable. Spread some peanut butter on apple slices, or tuna salad on cucumber rounds for a snack, or top whole grain crackers with a slice of roast turkey. Nuts, hummus, and cheese sticks are also good sources of protein that can easily satisfy your hunger as part of a meal or just for a snack.
• Avoid processed foods. Dr. Fitch says, “The more processed foods you eat, the more insulin resistance you will have. “And with insulin resistance, we effectively run out of insulin since we are using it up so fast. The more we use those cells in the pancreas to make insulin, the more tired they get.”
• Increase Your Vegetables. “The Mediterranean diet is an excellent plan because it means eating more vegetables, not more whole wheat bread and cereal,” Dr. Fitch says, "If you can’t manage to eat at least eight servings of vegetables a day, try adding them into a smoothie for a good morning boost."

If you decide to take a green tea or aged garlic extract, keep in mind that they are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, says Dr. Fitch. “You can’t be sure of the quality of the supplement you are taking,” she says. Look for products that carry the seal from independent testing labs such as, the USP, ConsumerLab, or NSF International, which offer some assurance that the ingredients have been evaluated.

https://www.endocrineweb.com/news/diabetes/59007-green-tea-aged-garlic-might-help-prevent-diabetes-prediabetes

Importance of Periodic Eye Examinations

By Indu Dennis

Despite your age or physical wellbeing, a yearly examination of eye will helps to identify any issues at the early stage and take treatment for the same. Periodic eye exam checks for common diseases, assessment about how your eyes works and evaluates as an indicator for your overall health.
For children, vision and eye health is a critical part in learning and development stage. Vision problem underline developmental delays or trouble in learning. If any of these factors like premature birth, personal or family history of eye disease, serious injury etc put your child at increase risk. Taking regular examination and proper screening are required for all infants and children under 5 years.
Like our body, our eye also gets weaken as we age. Eye disease mainly occurs in human at the age of 40. From the age of 40 to 65, eye examination is required for every two to four years. Presbyopia, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration are common age- related eye diseases that lead to vision loss and dependency.

In periodic eye exam doctors will not only evaluate nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, but also check for any diseases like Amblyopia- which occur when the eyes are misaligned, Strabismus- turned eyes defect, other diseases like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and other disease developing due to high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
A periodic comprehensive eye examination is one of the best ways to protect your vision because it can detect problems at their earliest stage. People who spend long hours in front of computer monitors, welders, those working on micrometers etc. require regular examination to determine the need for prescription spectacle lenses. The doctors will also provide suggestions and advice on the proper care and eyewear for certain task-specific jobs.

Here are some basic procedures of eye exam:
1. Medical history - At first the doctor or optometrist will assess your past and current medical history, and medical history within the family to determine your eye health condition
2. Visual Acuity Examination- As a base, optometrist examines the clearness of your vision by means of eye chart to determine the current visual sharpness.
3. Ocular Motility Examination- It is tested to determine how well your eyes and visual system function in terms of movement, reflexes and tracking
4. Detect Refraction error - As part of this step, a phoropter or similar device is used to determine rate of refractive error and determine the standards and measurements for eyeglasses if one is needed.

5. Biomicroscopy- A slit lamp is used to shine a high intensity light into the eye to facilitate an examination of the anterior segment of the human eye - including the conjunctiva, iris, natural crystalline lens and the cornea.
6. Ophthalmoscopy- It is a test that allows your optometrist to see inside the fundus of the eye and other structures (including the retina, optic disc, macula and fovea). This helps to detect symptoms of conditions such as retinal detachment or glaucoma.
Regardless of your age or physical health, annual eye exams are important for seeing more clear vision. In addition to routine check up it is also important to self care your eyes by doing regular exercise, nutritious diet and following healthy lifestyle.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Importance-of-Periodic-Eye-Examinations&id=9875644

Type 2 Diabetes - Adjusting To Living Well With Diabetes

By Beverleigh H Piepers

Did you just find out you have Type 2 diabetes? Sadly, this is often a devastating revelation for many people. If you have received your diagnosis recently, it likely has not been different for you: you may feel overcome with negative emotion. In many cases, it is a temporary response, at least the intense feelings are. Usually, anxiety leaves once you decide to fight against the disease actively.
But you will not have to worry about being anxious because your choice is going to be to take control of your life. Right? A great many people live quite successfully with Type 2 diabetes. They see the disease as a challenge, one that becomes a turning point in their life.
Don't let diabetes linger. There is nothing to gain, and potentially everything to lose. Having Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you should take lightly. Let us talk about how you should get started with putting diabetes into remission...

Become motivated. First things first: empower yourself: learn more about your disease. Odds are at the moment your knowledge is limited. Educate yourself on the consequences of high blood sugar, and the advantages of controlling it. Understand...

• why and how high blood sugar levels developed,
• what is going on, and
• how you can make a difference.

Be proactive. Learning about your disease is general advice, and so is being proactive. But it is still essential to not overlook these critical steps. Before you begin doing anything, internalize the idea of having a proactive approach. Living well despite having Type 2 diabetes is a process - there are no breaks. You have to commit to the daily effort if you are to make definitive progress. You can do this by adopting a healthier lifestyle.

Balance your carbs. With Type 2 diabetes, it is crucial to balance your carbohydrates. Not only your overall intake but also the predominant carbs in your diet. Which means it is time to...

• substitute your potatoes with sweet potatoes.
• stop minding the extra time it takes to cook brown rice and start getting used to its different taste. It will be worth it, and unless you are very active,
• reduce your portion sizes.

On that note: get active if you haven't already. But that goes without saying.

Work with your doctor. Managing Type 2 diabetes starts and ends with you. But no progress is made without proper guidance. You know your body better than anyone, but you are also not an expert on its general physiology. Even if you were, your doctor is still an authority on the subject, especially in the context of disease. Work with him or her. Create a treatment plan you can follow, and commit to it. Trust his guidance, and achieve the results you need to improve your well-being.
That ought to get you started. Don't think for one minute a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes means you cannot live a vibrant, fun-loving, full and productive life.

Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Type-2-Diabetes---Adjusting-To-Living-Well-With-Diabetes&id=9876238

Is Weight Loss the Secret Behind Remission of Type 2 Diabetes?

From diabetesincontrol.com

T2D diagnosed within last 6 years may be able to achieve remission if substantial weight loss is achieved.

Temporary regularization of plasma glucose levels by calorie constraint and weight loss was demonstrated in previous studies. More specifically, a study conducted by Sarah Steven et al., concluded that T2D is potentially reversible, due to 40 percent of their subjects achieving remission of diabetes for a period of 6 months following a substantial loss of body weight. However, it has not been explored yet if weight loss provides long-lasting benefits against T2D, and if primary care succor offers an advantage to subjects who are in the quest to attain healthier body weight. Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial, DiRECT study, sought to answers those questions. Primarily, researchers wanted to establish if a sustained weight loss of 10 to 15 kg as a result of primary care support can lead to a long-term remission of T2D and put an end to a lifelong need for antidiabetic drugs.
DiRECT is cluster-randomized, open-label trial conducted in Scotland, across 49 offices of the primary care providers. Individuals who had been diagnosed with T2D within the last 6 years between the ages of 20 and 65, whose BMI was greater than 27 kg/m2, and who had HbA1c levels above 6.5% were eligible to take part in the study. Uncontrolled T2D with A1c levels above 12%, patients requiring insulin use, poor renal function, and recent weight loss were some of the exclusion criteria listed. PCP offices that agreed to participate in the study were assigned in a 1:1 manner to either a control, or experimental groups. A total of 306 participants were enrolled in the trial, each trial arm composed of 148 subjects. Control group patients were treated according to the best-practice care guidelines, while experimental arm individuals received support to follow a standard protocol for weight management, the Counterweight-Plus program, with the goal to maintain a weight loss of 15 kg or more.

All antihyperglycemic and antihypertensive medications were discontinued at the enrollment date in the experimental group; the therapies were re-started as necessary following the standard protocols. During the first 3 months of the study, participants in the experimental arm followed a low-energy diet, with caloric intake of 825 to 853 kcal per day. For the following 2-8 weeks, participants’ calorie intake was increased and physical activity approaches were introduced; Step counting was encouraged with hopes of participants being able to maintain their weight loss. The study regarded the loss of weight of 15 kg or more along with the remission of diabetes as the primary outcome of the study.  Quality of life and blood pressure were among secondary outcomes assessed.  Intention-to-treat principle was employed in analysing the outcomes.
At the conclusion of 12-months, 24% of experimental arm participants achieved a weight loss of 15 kg, which was not seen in control group. Mean weight loss of 10 kilograms was achieved in the intervention group, while subjects following best-practice guidelines achieved a weight loss of 1 kg.

Out of 149 patients, 68 patients, or 46% of subjects in the experimental arm achieved complete diabetes remission, compared to 4% of patients in the control group. The remission was statistically significant, p-value <0.0001. With the respect to HbA1c reduction, experimental group subjects experienced a greater decrease of A1c by -0.85% compared to control, p<0.0001.  Number of antidiabetic drugs being taken in the control group increased throughout the trial, while it was reduced in the experimental group. Out of 148 individuals, only 19 were taking any antihyperglycemic drugs at month 12 in the intervention group. In contrast, 121 out of 148 patients in the control arm were being treated with antidiabetic drugs. Although blood pressure measurements were similar across the groups at the conclusion of the trial, 61% of patients in the control group were receiving either one or two antihypertensive therapies, while only half of those did in the intervention group.  Quality of life was enhanced for those patients who were randomized to the weight loss study arm. On contrary, those individuals treated according to best-practice guidelines had a decreased quality of life at the end of the study.

Significance of weight management and remission of type 2 diabetes is of crucial importance. What once was a disease of an older individual, is now affecting a large number of youth, principally due to high incidence of obesity seen in younger population. By having a way to increase life longevity, which is reduced as a result of T2D, both younger and older individuals can achieve remission by opting for following a healthy lifestyle. We have seen here that as a result of primary care support in weight management, remission of diabetes is possible in about 50% of patients. Results from this trial are promising and may pave a road for a change in how we approach T2D treatment. Larger, multinational, randomized controlled trials are needed to see if this trial’s results will be replicated, prior to implementing changes on guideline levels.

Practice Pearls:

• 46% of patients who lost at least 10 kg of weight achieved remission of diabetes.
• Individuals who treated their T2D by following a weight management strategy had lower A1c levels by -0.85% compared to individuals who were taking antidiabetic medications.
• At 12-month follow-up, 74% of patients in weight management group and 18% patients in the control group did not need antihyperglycemic agents to control their type 2 diabetes.

http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/is-weight-loss-the-secret-behind-remission-of-type-2-diabetes/

Eight Ways to Manage Diabetes in Cold Weather

From diabetesselfmanagement.com

Cold weather can throw off your diabetes management. Here are eight ways winter can present a challenge, and what you can do to maintain your blood sugar control.

1. Be aware that cold environments can raise your A1C

A1C levels (a measure of average glucose over the previous 2–3 months) often increase in cold weather. To some degree, bodies seem to do this on their own, perhaps as an evolutionary adaptation that helps raise their freezing point to survive the cold, according to Sharon Moalem, MD, PhD.

2. Stay out of the cold when you can

Pharmacist and diabetes educator Susan B. Sloane says that higher sugars may make you feel warmer in the cold, but they are still unhealthy. Sloane says, “Remember not to stay out long in extreme cold, especially if you have any cardiac issues or neuropathy. The cold weather can make blood thicker and more prone to clotting.”

3. Keep feet and hands warm

Diabetes may reduce circulation to feet, leaving them less able to keep warm in cold weather. Winter may increase your chances of infection and nerve pain in your feet.
Wear the warmest socks and well-fitting shoes or waterproof boots you can get. Pay extra attention to your foot care; inspect your feet carefully every day and use moisturizer if the skin is drying (except between the toes). Wear warm gloves or mittens.

4. Keep your diabetes supplies at the right temperature

Like extreme heat, extreme cold can affect your insulin and cause your blood glucose monitor to stop working properly. Joslin Diabetes Centre advises not leaving supplies in the car in very cold weather.
The same applies to insulin vials, pens, and pumps. Cool is generally OK; very cold or freezing is not. Some experts advise keeping a Thermos of warm tea in your diabetes supply case — you have one of those, don’t you? — to keep supplies warm.

5. Be aware that cold hands can affect blood sugar readings

Joslin recommends washing your hands in warm water, then drying them carefully before testing.

6. Avoid colds and flu

The Centres for Disease Control (CDC) points out that flu is much more dangerous for people with diabetes than for the general public. Diabetes makes it harder to fight the flu off, and blood sugars often go out of control due to illness.
The CDC gives several suggestions for avoiding the flu, including getting the flu vaccine, washing hands frequently, not touching your face, and avoiding close contact with people who are sick
Frequent use of hand sanitizers may help. My wife teaches in different elementary schools. She says there’s a dramatic difference between classrooms where students use sanitizers every time they come in, and those that don’t. Far fewer kids in the sanitizer rooms are out sick. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that commercial sanitizers don’t really kill all dangerous germs, and washing with soap and water is better.

7. Do your best to avoid or treat depression

The British website Diabetes.co.uk says that cold and snow may keep you inside, leading to less sun exposure and less exercise. Both of those lacks can lead to depression, and depression interferes with diabetes management. Though the days start to get longer toward the end of December, we still get less sun in the winter.
Try to get sun when you can, or buy a sunlamp you can shine on yourself for roughly 30 minutes a day (the exact time range will depend on feedback from your doctor). Vitamin D may also help, as can talking to people you like or love.
If you think you may be getting depressed, you can take this two-minute depression inventory for a better idea. Reach out for help if you’re in the depressed range.

8. Keep moving any way you can

If you’re stuck inside by snowstorms or cold snaps, have exercises you can do at home. Exercise will help your blood glucose control and your mood.

https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/eight-ways-manage-diabetes-cold-weather/