Type 2 Diabetes - How Long Can You Go Without Eating?

By Beverleigh H Piepers

Here is a question for you: how long can you go without eating? Have you asked yourself this question before? Often people shy away from attempting any challenge that could benefit their health because it takes a lot of work. Many Type 2 diabetics are quick to say they would love to lose weight but when it comes time to put in the work, they start looking for excuses.
To lose weight you have to eat fewer calories than your body expends. This is common knowledge for many adults. Generally speaking, there are two ways of doing this...

• you can eat less, or
• you can exercise more.

Ideally, you will combine the two methods for a healthy balance. And to see results, you will have to stick with the two methods. There is no point in doing it for a week or two, only to give up because progress is slower than what you initially expected.

Even though physical activity is a significant factor in weight loss, nutrition always comes first. The only way you can lose weight is if you control your caloric intake. You can exercise as much as you want, but if you are not keeping your food choices in check, there is a good chance you will not be getting anywhere. It is a harsh truth, but it must be understood.
Why is it important to know how long you can go without eating? The best way to limit your calories is to periodically fast. You can fast in the morning, evening, or between lunch and dinner. It depends on what works best for you. What matters most is you can tame your hunger so it no longer impairs your ability to control your blood sugar and lose weight.

One reason many people with Type 2 diabetes have hyperglycemia is they are often eating. They have been led to believe eating many small meals a day is healthy, and that it is conducive to a healthy metabolism (whatever that means). The truth is, several daily meals are rarely conducive to better health, and it usually leads to unstable blood sugar readings and overeating.

Ideally, you will learn to keep your hunger at bay through a combination of willpower and proper eating...

• if you eat more protein and fibre instead of mostly carbohydrates, you will feel full for longer periods of time.
• if you drink more water and quit your snacking habit, you will likely find you can wait until dinner after you have eaten lunch.
• if you can resist mild levels of hunger between your main meals on a regular basis, you will likely have more weight loss success.

And if you have high blood sugar, you can also count on seeing your levels decrease over time.

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---How-Long-Can-You-Go-Without-Eating?&id=9732030

Tiny Device Helps Diabetics Monitor Blood Sugar Continuously & Discreetly

From newyork.cbslocal.com

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — A new development for people with diabetes could help prevent some of the consequences of the disease.
It’s a tiny monitor that continuously reads a diabetic’s blood sugar.
For most diabetics, knowing your blood sugar and insulin levels means pricking your finger a dozen or more times a day, CBS2’s Dr. Max Gomez reported. Even then, it’s tough to keep blood sugar under control.
How about something the size of a flash drive that talks to your smartphone and your doctor?
Katelyn Prominski is a classically trained professional ballerina. A few years ago she started developing some of the symptoms  of type one diabetes.
“Going to the bathroom five times an hour. It interfered with my life. I was in a ballet company at the time, I had to leave ballet class in order to go to the bathroom,” she said. “In the middle of the night, I was starving, I was losing tons of weight."
A blood test revealed sky-high blood sugar. Prominski was diabetic.
She had to retire from ballet, but now she’s back dancing professionally with the national tour of “Dirty Dancing.” That’s really hard to do, because a two hour performance burns a lot of blood sugar.
Part of what’s let her do what she loves is a tiny device – a continuous glucose monitor, or CGM for short.
“That lets the patient look at their blood sugar in real time. And that’s the most amazing thing I’ve seen in my 20-something years of practice,” Dr. Stuart Weiss, of New York University Langone Medical Centre, said.
Weiss, a diabetes specialist, said recent studies have shown that CGMs actually help type one diabetics keep tighter control of their blood sugar.
Prominski uses a Dexcom CGM that not only monitors her blood sugar, it transmits her numbers to her smartphone and tells her how her sugar is trending.
“It would be scary if it was going straight down, or even scarier if it was two arrows going straight down. That means I’m really falling,” she said.
Too low a blood sugar can be fatal. The Dexcom device alerts the diabetic of that.
“Those alerts and alarms can be communicated to their parents or their spouse, and someone can intervene and help them as well,” Dexcom Inc. CEO Kevin Sayer said. “Patients live a much fuller life.”
The Dexcom device is the only CGM approved by the FDA that allows diabetics to forgo the usual finger sticks. As small as the Dexcom device is, the company is working to make it as small as a penny, so that no one needs to know if you’re diabetic.

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2017/06/21/cgm-diabetes-monitor/

Diabetic cycling team raise awareness of condition

From oxfordmail.co.uk

AN ALL-DIABETIC cycling team parked up at Oxford's hospitals to raise awareness of the condition as part of Diabetes Week 2017.
The 'Pedal for 7' team stopped off at the John Radcliffe and Churchill hospitals on Thursday afternoon as part of a five-day bike ride through seven UK cities.
It aimed to prove that people with diabetes can still live enriching lives, while encouraging patients to achieve healthy blood sugar levels of seven per cent.
The 10 cyclists included eight from Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk and all are living with type one or type two diabetes.

Professional cyclist Aaron Perry, who is taking part in Pedal for 7, said: "Many people diagnosed with diabetes believe they won't be able to live the life they had hoped to. "By managing my diabetes and controlling my blood sugar levels I have been able to live a full and active life, participating in competitive races all over the world.
"This week’s cycle is proof that with effective diabetes management, anything is possible."
The team has so far cycled through Leeds, Sheffield, Derby, Coventry, Leicester, Birmingham and Oxford and is now heading to Gatwick for the final leg of the tour.
It formed part of national campaigning efforts for Diabetes Week in support of the 4.5 million people in the UK living with the condition.
At Oxford's hospitals members of Team Novo Nordisk met patients living with diabetes
Former pro cycling teammate Justin Morris added: "People always ask me how my diabetes affects my cycling.
"As long as I properly manage my diabetes and keep my blood sugar within an optimal range, I’m able to train as hard as I like and compete at an elite level."
Some 700 people are diagnosed with diabetes every day in the UK, equivalent to one person every two minutes.
It affects the body's ability to produce or respond to insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar, and can cause long-term damage to the body including blindness.
Earlier this year Oxford University announced a landmark collaboration with Novo Nordisk focused on type two diabetes, the most common version.
The Danish firm is to invest about £115m in university research into innovative ways to treat the condition over the next 10 years.
Sir John Bell, Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford University, said: 'We see the collaboration as an outstanding opportunity to mix competence embedded at our campus with Novo Nordisk’s ground-breaking research and results in diabetes.
"Employees and researchers will have the opportunity for daily interaction to share knowledge and insights that will potentially produce new medicines for people living with type 2 diabetes and its complications."

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/15354386.Diabetic_cycling_team_raise_awareness_of_condition/

Diabetic foot flashcards launched for healthcare professionals

From diabetestimes.co.uk

New education flashcards to help healthcare professionals and people with diabetes understand more about the risks associated with diabetic foot, have been launched.
Developed by the Integrated Diabetic Footcare Faculty, the organisation said: “The aim of this training is to provide care workers, patients and their relatives with a basic understanding of the risks associated with the diabetic foot, knowledge on how to prevent problems from occurring, how to recognise potential problems and access the appropriate medical services.
“Careful foot assessments are the cornerstone for good diabetic foot care and can help to prevent amputation. It is hoped that the information and advice within this training will be a continuous point of reference to help you achieve this effectively.”
It is hoped the flashcards will enable the reader to understand good practice to support healthy living, understand better the risks associated with diabetes, learn how diabetes can affect the feet, identify the increased risks to the diabetic foot and find out the effects poor blood flow and loss of feeling can have.
Last year Diabetes UK revealed the number of diabetes-related amputations in England had reached an all-time high of 20 a day. The figures were based on Public Health England data, which showed the annual number of diabetes-related amputations in England was 7,370 a year, compared to the previous figure of 7,042. It is thought good diabetes healthcare and support could prevent many amputations as 80 per cent begin as foot ulcers in the first place.

http://diabetestimes.co.uk/diabetic-foot-flashcards-launched/

This writer hopes to reassure young people that diabetes need not be a life sentence

From walesonline.co.uk

If Natalie Ann Holborrow was a superhero she would most probably be called Word Girl.
The rapidly rising star of Welsh literature is certainly using her talent for good as her latest project involves writing a book about diabetes aimed at reassuring young people that the condition need not be a life sentence.

The 26-year-old poet and writer, from Skewen, is writer in residence at Dylan Thomas’s birthplace in Uplands and already has a clutch of major awards under her belt, including the Terry Hetherington Award and the Robin Reeves Prize.
And the Swansea University creative writing MA graduate is a diabetic herself.
In fact, her poem Blood Sugar, which won her the Terry Hetherington Award, is about living with the condition.
Her new project will attempt to share the burden among her fellow diabetics.
She said: “I’m looking for fellow young people with type 1 diabetes, or older people who want to share experiences of how they felt during their teenage years, who can help with my research while I write a more light-hearted book for living with the condition.
“I feel very lucky in that I’ve made friends who also live with type 1 diabetes and I have an amazing team at Singleton Hospital who are always there when I need it, but I realise this isn’t always the case.
“During teenage years, when you can feel isolated, angry and confused as it is with exam pressure, peer pressure and moments of self-doubt, having the responsibility of living with diabetes can really push you over the edge.
“People can be judgemental due to the way diabetes is generalised and portrayed in the media and at that age, it can feel like your future is suddenly falling to pieces, darkened by headlines of terrible diabetes complications and how your life will be so much more restricted.”
The poet, who recently launched her first book of poetry, And Suddenly You Find Yourself, published by Parthian Books, just completed the Edinburgh Marathon.
She said: “I want to reach out to young people who just need something a bit more optimistic than one of those heavy textbooks and explore some issues that are more relevant at that age such as relationships, going out, how to manage insulin and blood sugars with regards to your favourite foods and how you can still achieve everything you’ve wanted to do without letting the condition define you.”
The poet, who recently launched her first book of poetry, And Suddenly You Find Yourself, published by Parthian Books, just completed the Edinburgh Marathon.
As part of the project she wants to hear from others coming to terms with diabetes.
She said: “I really need some help from others to get some different angles on the experience and am sending out interview questions for people to provide me with feedback to get the book written and give young people a bit of support when they most need it.
“So many end up suffering through depression or eating disorders as a result of the strain of living with diabetes and there needs to be more out there with a positive spin on things, to encourage young people to keep on living their lives to the full and remind them that they’re not alone. This isn’t about lecturing on what you should or shouldn’t do, eat or feel, but more about living life to the full and offering support and I always felt fed up of the negative content in health books that I plucked from the library shelves. Even though some days it’s naturally pretty tough, I want to encourage more of a ‘can-do’ attitude to those who most need it.
“All those interested can get in touch and I’ll send out a questionnaire to fill in.”
To take part email natholborow@gmail.com

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/writer-hopes-reassure-young-people-13192522

Broccoli Could Be a Secret Weapon Against Diabetes, Say Scientists

From sciencealert.com

Broccoli contains an ingredient that can help those with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar level, according to a new study – potentially providing a much-needed treatment option for millions.
A chemical in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and sprouts called sulforaphane is thought to be responsible, having been shown to lower glucose levels in earlier lab experiments on diabetic rats.

To identify suitable compounds to examine, researchers used computer models to identify gene expression changes linked with type 2 diabetes, and then sift through thousands of chemicals that might reverse these changes.
"We're very excited about the effects we've seen and are eager to bring the extract to patients," one of the researchers, Anders Rosengren of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, told Andy Coghlan at New Scientist.
"We saw a reduction of glucose of about 10 per cent, which is sufficient to reduce complications in the eyes, kidneys and blood."
That 10 percent average reduction was across a sample of 97 human volunteers taking part in a 12-week randomised, placebo-controlled trial. The participants who were obese and who had higher baseline glucose levels to begin with benefitted the most.
The dose was the equivalent of around 5 kilograms (11 pounds) of broccoli daily – a fair few platefuls – but the researchers say it could be adapted into a powder to add to food or drinks.
It's important to note that all but three of those taking part in the trial continued to take metformin, a drug already used to improve blood sugar regulation in people with diabetes.
However, the researchers think sulforaphane could eventually replace metformin for some patients – up to 15 percent of those with diabetes can't take metformin because of the associated risks of kidney damage.
The two chemicals take different approaches: sulforaphane suppresses the enzymes in the liver that stimulate glucose production, whereas metformin makes cells more sensitive to insulin, taking more glucose out of the bloodstream.
With more than 29 million people having type 2 diabetes in the US alone, and that number on the rise, any kind of help is going to be very welcome.
Before the human trial, the researchers also found sulforaphane was able to reduce glucose production in liver cells grown in a lab, and shift liver gene expression away from an abnormal, diseased state in diabetic rats.
Larger and more detailed studies are required before the drug can get approved for regular treatments though, and until then it's probably wise to keep your vegetable intake to a normal, healthy level.
"More research is needed to see if this repurposed drug can be used to treat Type 2 diabetes, as it was only tested in a small number of people and only helped a subset of those who are taking it," Elizabeth Robertson from Diabetes UK, who wasn't involved in the research, told New Scientist.
"For now, we recommend that people continue with the treatment prescribed by their healthcare team."

https://www.sciencealert.com/broccoli-could-be-a-secret-weapon-against-diabetes-say-scientists

4 Tips For A Safe Vacation With Diabetes

From blackdoctor.org

Are you planning for some fun in the sun this summer? Before you hit the beach, consider these tips to make sure your vacation is safe and fun.

1. Keep Diabetes Medications Readily Available
No matter how you travel – plane, train, or automobile, it’s important to keep your diabetes supplies readily available.
When traveling by plane, be sure to put all of your diabetes supplies and medications in your carry-on. Checked baggage goes in the bottom of the plane where it can be exposed to extreme cold or heat that can spoil insulin and destroy your glucose meter. Dacia Bryant, Founder and Chief Health Officer at A ONE C LifeBox, a digital healthcare engagement company that equips Black and Hispanic people with the tools to manage their diabetes more effectively, suggest using a cool storage pouch for insulin. These are small enough to fit into your carry-on luggage.
“I often recommend packing a cooler like the Frio Insulin Cooling Case or a Medicool pouch. These cool storage pouches will protect insulin and other injectables from extreme heat not only during hot summer months but also throughout the year if you travel to warm climates where air conditioning may be limited, and power loss is common,” says Bryant.
The same rules for air travel apply when traveling by train or car. Bryant also reminds her patients to keep insulin and other medications handy either in a clear plastic baggy in a handbag or carry-on when traveling instead of the trunk of a car or in checked luggage.           

2. Avoid Tanning and Tattoos    
Any increase in skin pigment as a result of tanning is a sign of damage. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun can cause dry skin, wrinkles and dark spots. People with diabetes tend to have dry skin, increasing the risk of damage from the sun’s rays. Dry skin can lead to cracking and peeling which allows bacteria to enter the body and cause infection.
Tattooing also puts you at risk for infection – particularly HIV and hepatitis, if you are exposed to unclean tools, practices, or products. Also, if your diabetes is in poor control, a tattoo might not heal properly.
Tight blood glucose – also called blood sugar, control is crucial to help protect your skin from sun damage and facilitate healing if damage occurs. The American Diabetes Association recommends an A1C score less than 7 percent or an estimated average glucose of 154 mg/dl.

3. Be Careful With Contact Lenses
Patients with diabetes are more susceptible to dry eye syndrome, which occurs when the eye does not produce tears properly. Dry eye syndrome increases the risk for inflammation, infections, and scars on the cornea. To avoid these problems make sure your contacts are prescribed by an eye care professional. It’s also important to keep your blood glucose levels under control. Research shows the higher the hemoglobin A1C values, the higher the rate of dry eye syndrome.
Don’t be tempted to buy coloured or decorative lenses sold along the boardwalk, in convenience stores or internet sites that do not require a prescription. They can damage your eyes and cause infection.
Handle your lenses with care. Always, wash your hands before touching lenses, and be sure to use only sterile solution. Remove your contacts before swimming or getting in a hot tub.

4. Stay Hydrated  

Dehydration happens when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should. It can be mild, moderate, or severe. For people with diabetes, dehydration can lead to dangerously high blood glucose levels.
“Monitoring for high blood sugar is especially important in the hot summer months when dehydration is common. Becoming dehydrated from sweating and not replacing that water can lead to high blood sugar. When fluids leave your body, your blood becomes more concentrated with glucose,” says Bryant. “Dehydration also leads to a decrease in blood flow supplied to the skin where insulin is injected. Your insulin dose may not be fully absorbed, and blood glucose can remain high.”
So avoid getting dehydrated. For instance, when you spend a late afternoon at the beach bring water and drink even before you feel thirsty.  The Institute of Medicine recommends that women consume 11 cups of fluid per day; men should have 16 cups of fully daily to stay fully hydrated. About 80 percent of your daily fluid intake should come from water and other beverages that you drink. The other 20 percent can come from juicy foods like fruits and vegetables.

http://blackdoctor.org/514461/4-tips-for-a-safe-vacation-with-diabetes/4/