News Release: Research Evidence Affirms that Good Nutrition Can Help Prevent and Control Type 2 Diabetes

Read the entire article, its too important to miss!

http://www.joslin.org/news/Research-affirms-good-nutrition-can-help-prevent-and-control-type2-diabetes.html

One major finding was that certain foods and dietary patterns can help prevent type 2 diabetes even without weight loss. “People who eat a Mediterranean diet, with foods such as olive oil, whole grains and leafy vegetables and fruits, have a lower risk of developing diabetes even when they don’t lose weight,” Dr. Hamdy says.

Foods such as oat cereal, yogurt and dairy products, green leafy vegetables, grapes, apples, blueberries and walnuts were associated with reduced diabetes risk. Drinking coffee and even decaffeinated coffee were also associated with lower type 2 diabetes risk.

Participants who followed a Mediterranean eating plan — without restricting calories — showed a greater improvement in glycemic control and insulin sensitivity than participants who ate other popular diets. In addition, overweight patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes who followed the Mediterranean diet had less need for antihyperglycemic medications compared with participants on a low-fat diet.

Overall, a variety of eating plans, including the Mediterranean, low-carbohydrate/low glycemic index and high-protein diets, improved glycemic control and cardiovascular disease risk factors in patients with diabetes compared with control diets. This offers patients a range of options for diabetes management.

Foods associated with a higher risk of diabetes include red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, alcohol in excess quantities and refined grains, such as white flour.

Why is all this misinformation circulating about type 2?

I'm amazed by the ignorance of people purporting to know about diabetes. This includes doctors and pharmacists, and even other diabetics.

One thing that keeps popping up for me is that everyone is quoting outdated and incomplete information regarding the genetics and causes of type 2.

There aren't 6 or 7, or even 13 genes that can involved in type 2.

In fact there are at least 38!

That's right - 38!

This information was published in the summer of 2010. Check the dates on internet sources you quote people! Please look for more up to date info!

And the more of these defective genes you have, the greater the likelihood of getting it.

Your family history should be a clue. Mine is rife with diabetes and weight problems caused by insulin resistance and defective genes, on BOTH sides of my family.

Other factors that contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes include, among many many others:

Beta blockers can increase your risk by 20 to 50%. If you already have the genes (look at your family history), and your doctor prescribes beta blockers, your chances increase dramatically even if nothing else changes.

Beta blockers can be enough to tip you over the edge into diabetes. I know because this happened to my husband and almost happened to my sister. Luckily I found out about this and let her know in time.

Other factors include under active thyroid - check, had that ALL my life! Its still undertreated because I can't tolerate the dose of thyroid hormone that I actually need.

Certain medications for other conditions - check, I was never told of the risks involved with certain treatments until well after the damage was done. This can include treatments for PCOS, asthma, infections, and much more.

Exposure to pesticides, and highway smog. Yep, been there, done that, it was not my choice, but none the less, I have to suffer the consequences of it.

Family history: I have not one, not two, but several people with diabetes in my close family. According to scientific research my chances of getting type 2 were pretty much 100%, given my family history. This probably goes back several generations. 

Other factors, for me include injuries from accidents that kept me from exercising.

Inflammation and allergies: Yes, this can have an effect!

Inherited joint disorders: which have not only kept me from riding my bike, roller skating, and dancing, (all of which I love). They have also put me into a wheelchair. I cannot get enough exercise to stay fit, let alone fight back against insulin resistance.

Insulin injections: yes, they saved my life, but they are also making me gain weight, and increasing my insulin resistance. Its a lose/lose situation for me.


Update, since this was originally written, I have read further articles that state that there are over 40 known genetic factors involved in getting Type 2 diabetes. 

Glucose Tablets: An Essential Safety Measure for Insulin Users

Essential Safety Measures for Insulin Users

Something we all need once we start using insulin

 is a quick fix if our blood glucose goes too low.

If you're a type 2, and on oral meds, diet and exercise, your blood glucose may go low occasionally. However, when you start insulin, you'll experience more severe lows, that have a sudden onset, and you may not have the physical strength and presence of mind to deal with it, if you fail to prepare ahead of time.

One item you must have on hand is glucose tablets.

There are several brands, but I find the least expensive and most widely available brand is Dex4.

You can buy Dex4 in large jars of 50, which will treat about 15 lows, and there are also 10 tablet tubes. The tubes will only treat 3 lows or possibly 4.  The larger bottles are more economical. 

There are other brands of glucose available, these are simply the brand that I prefer, as it is easy to find, and not as expensive as the other ones. 

You should always carry glucose tablets with you when you go out, even in your own backyard. You should keep some in a small jar in every room of your home too. They should be easy to see at a glance, and easy to reach from whatever chair you normally sit in. For example, you should be able to reach them at your desk, your living room chair, kitchen table, in your car, your place of work, and where you sleep.

They should never be out of reach! 

Take the time now to break the seal on the bottle and open the lid, then screw it back on just enough to close, so its not tight. You need to keep moisture out, but have the lid loose enough for a weakened person to open in an emergency. If you go low, you will be weaker than normal, and probably confused as well.

If you take the time now to put at least 6 to 8 glucose tablets in small jars, label them, and put one in each location, it could save your life someday. It will certainly give you some security, knowing that you're prepared for the lows that will occur.

Why got to all this trouble you ask? Well, when a real low strikes, you may be too weak to walk, let alone hunt for and open a new, still sealed jar. You may not even have the strength to open a lid if its screwed on too tightly. Confusion is part of extreme low blood glucose, so be prepared now, so you can deal with it when it strikes.

Family members need to know what and where your glucose tablets are too. They need to know how to help if you get so low you can't even think of taking glucose tablets.

Here's a handy product that can be used to carry them when you're away from home, at work, etc.

This is the Quick Fix Key Chain for glucose tablets. The Dex4 tablets fit into these perfectly.

I rotate mine, as they do absorb more moisture when stored in these key-chain holders. You can find this product at  Quick Fix Key Chain

I've also seen these on Amazon.com 

 Dex 4 is available in tablets, gels and liquid form. The 50 count jar of tablets is the most economical form, and easier to find too. Other brands may be more readily available in your part of the world. The important thing is to get some, and have them on hand, where you'll need them, not stuck in the back of a cupboard somewhere, collecting dust!

Take the time now to get some glucose tablets and put them where you can easily find and use them, when the need arises.

You won't be sorry that you did! 

 

Why Do I Have To Watch My Carb Intake?

Carbs! They’re our primary source of energy from food. We need carbs, but when you have diabetes, your body can have difficulty dealing with them, causing a rise in blood glucose  that can lead to complications and organ damage, or even unconsciousness and death. 

Some diabetics can control their blood glucose by reducing carb intake and getting more exericse, or with oral medications. Others may need insulin. There are various types of diabetes, and you'll need to follow your doctor's advise on how to keep your blood glucose levels within healthy limits. 

Type 1 diabetics and Insulin Dependent Type 2 diabetics must take insulin to stay alive. Type 2's in the early stages may be able to manage with diet and exercise alone, but later in life progress to oral medications and finally, insulin. Type 2 is a progressive disease.

Other types include gestational diabetes, brittle diabetes, LADA, and MODY.


So which carbs should we eat?  

Carbs or carbohydrates, are either simple carbs like sugar, honey, white flour, white rice, etc. or complex carbs like whole grains, starchy fibrous veggies, etc.  
 

I'd recommend that you stick with the complex, high fibre whole foods type of carbs as much as you can and limit your intake of sugars and starches.

Processed foods such as cookies, donuts, cake, pie, candy and other treats are very bad choices as they contain a lot of sugar, white flour, and fat, and contain may contain no vitamins, minerals or fiber. They consist mainly of simple sugars that make your blood glucose go sky high fairly quickly and provide little if any actual nutritional benefit. There are healthier alternatives you will discover along the way.

When you choose a meal or snack ingredient, stick with healthy whole foods, as much as possible. In other words, eat for health, not for convenience. Avoid fried foods, processed foods, frozen convenience meals, sugar, salt, and most white foods, including most baked goods.

Processed foods provide  “empty calories”. They don’t have vitamin, minerals or even fiber in them. All they do is make your blood glucose high, and contribute to weight gain and disease. Most will also contain unhealthy levels of sodium (salt) and will raise your blood pressure, which is a dangerous condition, especially when combined with diabetes.

You should also cut back on fruit until things are under control. Fruit is high in fast carbs (simple sugars, which are the ones you want to avoid). You can eat some fruit when your diabetes has stabilized, but you’ll find that fruit will not stick with you as long, and you’ll tend to get hungrier faster when eating simple sugars like those found in fruits.

When things are under better control you can start to add in fruits that are high in fibre and lower in carbs and therefore better choices from this food group. These include: FRESH berries such as strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, also watermelon, fresh pineapple, pears, and apples. The fiber in them will slow down absorption of the carbs a little bit, so you won’t get hungry so fast.  They are rich in nutrients.

Also look for high fiber veggies, and whole grains. If you eat potatoes limit the amount and avoid fried potatoes except for an occasional treat once or twice a year. Eat potatoes with the skins on for more fiber and a sensation of filling full longer.  There are some vegges which are low in carbs and high in nutrition: broccoli, greens, green beans, yellow wax beans, mushrooms, the list goes on.

Eat limited amounts of grains, as they are starches.  When you do choose grains, go for whole grains, not refined grains. Avoid white pasta, white bread, white rice, etc.

For treats, you can find recipes for low carb treats online. Just Google "low carb recipes".

I've learned to make cakes and muffins from almond flour, coconut flour, flaxmeal, and other high fibre/low carb ingredients. It takes time to get used to them and learn to bake with them, but its worth it for guilt free, healthy eating. I don't eat them very often, but at least when I do, I can stick with my carb count for the meal and eat in a healthy manner. I'm sure you'll find some new and healthier favourites when you have been doing this for a while.

I'd recommend the South Beach Diet Cookbook as a starting point for finding low carb recipes. There are several different version, all with different themes. You can probably borrow a copy from your local library. I haven't had to buy one, as I found all the recipes I needed online and then adapted them to suit my needs.

For example, my chocolate birthday cake is made from almond flour, and is very low in carbs, but still very rich tasting. Its a real treat!

And here's a couple of links on carb counting to get you started: 

http://www.diabetesnet.com/food-diabetes/carb-counting/how-count-carbohydrates

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarb101/a/carbintro.htm



I hope this information is helpful. Please always follow your doctors advice first, and take it slowly. 

YMMV
(Your Mileage May Vary)

I wish you success!

  The above information is my opinion, and should not be taken as medical advice. It is for entertainment purposes only. Always follow the advice of your doctor and medical team.