Defeat Diabetes^® E-Lerts™ Newsletter

March 2003
(Volume II, Issue 2)
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Don't forget to subscribe to Defeat Diabetes^® E-Lerts™
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75 % of all Adult Onset (Type 2) Diabetes can be prevented!
In this issue of E-Lerts™ we will highlight the Latest News as to how you can prevent Diabetes and if you have it, how you can help keep it from getting worse.

Latest News articles:  Did you know that if you get enough sleep you can avoid Diabetes? Why is eating breakfast more important now than ever?  One answer to preventing Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer? Exercise!!

Our Executive Director, Andrew P. Mandell, known to the world as Mr. Diabetes^® has walked over 3,000 miles on his epic 10,000+ miles MR. DIABETES^® WAKE UP AND WALK^® TOUR around America for diabetes awareness. He has written a commentary in this issue of E-Lerts™ regarding the scary statistics of diabetes, pre-diabetes, and the worldwide epidemic diabetes is becoming.

We have some great new Recipes from Jyl Steinback, America's Healthiest Mom, from her latest cookbook.

Take a look at our Readers' Forum; we've been getting great questions and comments from our readers.

Thanks to our many supporters the Defeat Diabetes Foundation is able to provide critical information for children and their families. So far we have sent over 1,200,000 screening tests to over 2200 schools in the United States free of charge. Check out our schools program.

Mr. Diabetes^® at a school in California

WE NEED YOUR HELP to continue our highly recognized and well received programs, but we would like to do more.

The Defeat Diabetes Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  Our web site is secure and all donations are tax-deductible.

Good Health,
Lisa M. Rasolt
Program Director
lrasolt@DefeatDiabetes.org

Awareness + Action = Prevention™
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Did you know?
The nation spends $13,243 on each diabetes patient, compared to $2,560 per person for people who do not have diabetes.
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Latest News
Exercise (VERB) The Answer to Preventing, Diabetes, CVD and Cancer  Active people live longer, healthier lives.  CDC begins new program “VERB”. Do something - anything - as long as you're active.
Breakfast Reduces Chances of Obesity and Diabetes  People who eat breakfast are up to 50% less likely to be obese and diabetic than those who usually do not. "We have started looking at what people are eating when they eat breakfast, which led to our finding that eating wholegrain cereal each day was associated with a 15 per cent reduction in risk for the insulin resistance syndrome."
Whole Grains Fight Diabetes  Men with a high consumption of whole grains reduces their risk of type 2 diabetes. Compared with simple carbohydrates, fiber-rich carbohydrates are slowly digested and absorbed, leading to less insulin demand. Insoluble fiber passes through the intestines more rapidly, leaving less time for carbohydrates to be absorbed.
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With no Government funding, Defeat Diabetes Foundation relies on the generosity of "We the People" to help keep our programs going and growing.   We can't do it alone ... We need your financial support!
Make a "Tribute", "Memorial", or "General" donation.
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Get Enough Sleep and Avoid Diabetes  Sleeping five hours or less or nine hours or more each night may increase your risk of developing diabetes. Too little sleep may reduce levels of leptin, possibly causing people to gain weight and develop diabetes. One theory why too much sleep may increase diabetes risk is that people who sleep a lot tend to have poorer health in general.
Good Advice From Our Friends In The U.K.  Many serious illnesses are a consequence of the way we live and research now shows how much we can do to prevent them. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found eating nuts cuts diabetes risk. Those who ate 5 oz. or a small handful a day were 27 per cent less likely to develop diabetes. Exercise three times a week: This will reduce your diabetes risk by more than 70 per cent. Scientists believe two or three cups of coffee daily can act as protection.
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Did you know?
The annual cost of the diabetic condition, which affects an estimated 17 million Americans, climbed from $98 billion in 1997 to $132 billion in 2002.
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100 Calories Less A Day Helps to Prevent Weight Gain and Diabetes Cutting down by 100 calories will not make you lose weight - for that, your calorie deficit would have to be more like 500 calories. But it's a start and a basis on which to build. Exercise is the other way of closing the calorie gap - you could also get rid of those 100 unwanted calories by walking an extra mile (about 2,500 steps) a day - either all at once or divided up into small sections.

To read more go to Latest News.
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Mr. Diabetes^® Commentary
The latest statistics about diabetes are truly scary! According to the 2001 United States Census, just released, there are more than 22 million diabetics. Half of these Americans do not know they have diabetes. Also, the category "pre-diabetics" is estimated at 26 million; Americans who will surely become diabetic unless they take immediate steps to avoid this insidious disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports there are currently 177 million diabetics worldwide, and that number is expected to reach 300 million by 2025. This epidemic is at crisis level!

In the U.S. diabetes related health care costs are fully 15% of the country's total health care cost(s). In dollars that is an astounding $135 - $150 Billion annually. Even more astounding is that cost is based on ONLY HALF of American diabetics. The average American has medical costs of $2,560. The average American diabetic has medical costs of $13,243.

Adult Onset diabetes (Type 2) accounts for 90% of all diabetics. Not only does diabetes account for over 200,000 deaths annually, it is a leading cause of adult blindness, amputations, heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, circulatory problems, and more...

Worse, still, is the fact that what was traditionally a disease that affected adults during mid to later life, is now reaching down into the elementary school ages. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS!!!!!

But, even more disturbing, is the fact that Adult Onset diabetes (Type 2) is 75% preventable. This is possible because we can profile who is most likely to develop it and begin addressing the problem before it occurs. And for the 25% who will still develop diabetes, it will surely be detected long before it does its evil damage Early detection is ABSOLUTELY critical!!

There are many Warning Signs for diabetes, but there are simple ways to find out if you are at risk.
1. Go to the Defeat Diabetes website and take the screening test: www.DefeatDiabetes.org/screeningtest.htm.
2. Because you need a  medical evaluation, see an endocrinologist. An endocrinologist is a specialist in diabetes, trained to recognize the subtle signs of diabetes and perform the necessary tests to make such a determination.
3. Because diabetes is also a metabolic disorder, you must begin and maintain proper dietary habits (visit the Defeat Diabetes website.)
4. Incorporate a fitness program into your life (this is ONLY after consultation with your doctor.)

The key to dealing with diabetes is early detection. The best solution is to prevent it in the first place. Remember, there is no cure for diabetes.

MR. DIABETES^® is currently walking the perimeter of the United States on his now world famous The MR. DIABETES^® WAKE UP AND WALK^® TOUR for diabetes awareness. Go to www.DefeatDiabetes.org to see where he is now.

AWARENESS + ACTION = PREVENTION™
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Did you know?
Heart disease is the number one killer of people with diabetes, and people with diabetes are 2-4 times more likely to develop both heart disease and stroke.
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Diabetic Recipes
Here are some great tasting recipes from Jyl Steinback's latest cookbook, Cook Once, Eat for a Week.  (www.AmericasHealthiestMom.com)

Brunch - Sausage-Egg Muffins
Soup - Chicken Tortilla Soup
Vegetarian - Stuffed Portabellos
Seafood - Lazy Man's Lemon Sole
Side Dish - Sweet Car-tato Bake
Dessert - Vanilla Cupcakes
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Don't miss the latest news, the greatest recipes, your questions and more from Mr. Diabetes^®
Subscribe to Defeat Diabetes^® E-Lerts™ Newsletter.
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Readers' Forum
Here are two of the questions we have received since our last E-Lerts™:

Q - I can't afford medical care and I have all the signs of diabetes. What can I do? Is there a test I can do at home to find out if I have diabetes? - Sharon - for our answer

Q -  For the past two months I've noticed a drastic change in my eating/drinking habits. I used to hate water and now can't go through a school day without drinking at least two bottles. Also, I've started eating too much and am constantly on a hunt for sweets. My mom and friend said this could be due to a high sugar level. The thing is, I haven't been losing weight (like the warning signs suggest) but instead have been gaining it. My cuts take a long time to heal, but that has been for as long as I can remember. Should I get this checked out or what? Or am I just paranoid? - Tonya - for our answer
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Did you know?
By 2025, the prevalence of diabetes is expected to triple in Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, and South-East Asia, to double in the Americas and the Western Pacific and to almost double in Europe.
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This concludes the Defeat Diabetes^® E-Lerts™ Newsletter.

If there are specific questions you have, you may reach us at info@DefeatDiabetes.org.

If you liked our E-Lerts™ Newsletter, found interesting and informative articles, or enjoyed our delicious recipes, please forward this newsletter to someone you know who may also benefit from reading it.

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The Defeat Diabetes Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  Our web site is secure and all donations are tax-deductible.

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