Defeat Diabetes^® E-Lerts™ Newsletter

August  2004
(Volume III, Issue 8)

Conflicting Scientific Research

Isn't it confusing when you hear about one scientific breakthrough and then a few months later you hear just the opposite? Our Latest News explores many different views, both in E-Lerts™ and our regular Latest News on our website (www.DefeatDiabetes.org/news.htm). First we heard that drinking coffee was good for diabetics and now there are studies claiming the opposite. Did you know you could actually have too many fluids - even on a very hot day? Now there is evidence that in certain circumstances, taking insulin sooner than later reduces the risk of diabetes complications.

Diet and diabetes is intertwined and a low glycemic diet has been proven helpful in men with Type 2 diabetes. Young diabetic girls experience eating disturbances significantly more often than do those without the condition and there needs to be screened earlier. There's a Low-Carb Potato with 1/3 less carbs - Yes!

While we at Defeat Diabetes Foundation are dedicated to the awareness and prevention of diabetes, we realize how other diseases and conditions can interact with diabetes. To this end we have found two important articles that may help you or someone you know. Drinking green, oolong tea significantly reduces the risk of hypertension. High acetaminophen use may increase the risk of loss of renal function.

In honor of the Summer Olympics we are offering some great international recipes from America's Healthiest Mom, Jyl Steinback. If you can't be there in person, let your taste buds fool you with these delicious low fat, low carb and easy to prepare dishes.

Congratulations! Theresa Garnero Named Diabetes Educator of the Year!
August 2004, the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) recognized Theresa Garnero, APRN, BC-ADM, MSN, CDE, at their annual meeting. Theresa is combining a childhood dream of being a cartoonist with her grown-up career as a diabetes educator by helping people find humor in diabetes. Theresa contributes a cartoon to our monthly E-Lerts™ Newsletter in Islets of Humor™. This month's cartoon is humorous, but unfortunately true for so many of us. She also writes our column, DIABeducation™.  In this month's column, Theresa discusses what Certified Diabetes Educators are. Their goal is diabetes self-management training and lifestyle management for the prevention of diabetes.

There are 3 very exciting, new Treatments on the Horizon. The first is a noninvasive treatment that is saving the eyesight of diabetics. Scientists are on their way to genetically altering fat genes. Can you imagine being able to eat anything and not gain weight? (I can't wait!!!) Researchers have identified a new gene, a mutation which is associated with Type 1 diabetes and its complications.

In this month's Readers' Forum our first question is about morning highs, or the "Dawn Phenomenon." Most of the research I found said it was rare for Type 2 diabetics. We disagree and would like to hear from you if you could please share your experiences with the Dawn Effect. Researchers, medical professionals and even lay people who read a lot disagree on many subjects. We have presented both sides when it comes to drug interaction and vitamin E and diabetes.

Mr. Diabetes^®, Andy Mandell, is presently in Jamestown, North Dakota. He passed the 5,000 Mile mark on the Mr. Diabetes^® Wake Up and Walk^® Tour. If you haven't read about this significant milestone, click here.

We hope everyone is enjoying these last days of summer. It's back to school time and we will be starting up our Schools Program. More about that next issue.

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

Awareness + Action = Prevention^®
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WE NEED YOUR HELP to continue our highly recognized and well received programs, but we would like to do more. 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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Latest News - Food and Drink
Low-Carb Potato Now you can have your potato and eat it too! New potato to have 1/3 less carbs. "It is a creamy, moist, delicious potato that looks like the butter's already in it."
Too Many Fluids as Bad as Too Few  Hydration and dehydration are important factors for people with diabetes. Dehydration raises blood sugars very rapidly. For water and for sports drinks, the new message is to drink wisely. Too many fluids are at least as dangerous as too few. Most people still think you're supposed to drink as much as you can. But that advice is dead wrong.
Green, Oolong Tea Significantly Reduce Risk of Hypertension  Drinking 120 mL (4 oz.) to 599 mL (20 oz.) of tea per day showed a 46% decrease in risk of developing hypertension compared with nonhabitual drinkers.
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Did You Know?
Exercise causes cells to become more sensitive to insulin, so sugar is taken out of the blood, and exercising muscles use more sugar. The result is a more normal blood sugar level.
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Latest News - Diabetes
Caffeine Interferes With Diabetes Control The team at Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina found a strong correlation between caffeine intake at mealtime and increased glucose and insulin levels among people with type 2 diabetes. The findings are significant enough that the researchers recommend people with diabetes consider reducing or eliminating caffeine from their diets.
Treatment of Blood Sugar Levels in Intensive Care Patients Reduces Mortality 29%  This represents 49 saved lives from the first 800 patients treated with the protocol. There was also a decrease in the development of new kidney failure and a decrease in the need for red blood cell transfusions. The ICU length of stay decreased among the patients treated with the protocol.
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Did You Know?
The UKPDS showed that an HbA1c of above 7% is a strong predictor of diabetes-related health complications
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Low Glycemic Index Diet Helpful in Men With Type 2 Diabetes  Although carbohydrates will be included in any diet for a patient with diabetes, the glycemic index can separate foods based on their effects on long-term glycemic control. Carbohydrates such as pasta, lentils, chickpeas, and pumpernickel have a low glycemic index while whole meal bread, French baguettes, potatoes, and rice have a higher glycemic index.
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Did You Know?
An increase in HbA1c of just 1% corresponded to a 35% increase in risk of nerve, eye and kidney complications
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Disturbed Eating Common in Young Diabetic Girls Young diabetic girls experience eating disturbances significantly more often than do those without the condition. Researchers conclude that "screening and prevention programs for this high-risk group should begin in the preteen years."
Insulin Sooner Than Later For Reduced Risk of Complications The availability of new insulin analogues has expanded therapeutic options and offers the potential to enhance the efficacy of therapeutic regimens for type 2 DM as well as improve the ease and safety of treatment when A1c cannot be maintained <7% on > or =1 oral antidiabetic agent.
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Did You Know?
A brisk 15-minute walk is equivalent in relaxation power to taking 5 milligrams of Valium.
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Latest News - Interesting Miscellaneous
Acetaminophen Linked to Decline in Renal Function Higher lifetime use of aspirin and NSAIDs is not associated with renal function decline, but high acetaminophen use may increase the risk of loss of renal function.
Casual & Comfortable Clothing Workdays Promote Increased Physical Activity  Wearing casual clothing every day for 50 weeks of work translates into burning an additional 125 calories per week and 6,250 calories per year. *********************************************************
Mr. Diabetes^® Says
Genius is nothing but a greater aptitude for patience. Benjamin Franklin
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Diabetic Recipes recipes
In honor of the Summer Olympics we are offering some great international recipes from America's Healthiest Mom, Jyl Steinback. If you can't be there in person, let your taste buds fool you with these delicious low fat, low carb and easy to prepare dishes.

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Did You Know?
At least 50% of all people with diabetes are unaware of their condition. In some countries this figure may rise to 80%. IDF, 2004
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Islets of Humor™ humor
August 2004
By Theresa Garnero, APRN, BC-ADM, MSN, CDE

see more of Theresa's cartoons and read about Theresa
Congratulations Theresa! Theresa Garnero Named Diabetes Educator of the Year!
August 2004, the American Association of Diabetes Educators recognized Theresa Garnero at their annual meeting.
To read more about Theresa and her prestigious award
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Treatments on the Horizon
New Treatment Is Saving Eyesight of Diabetics  Laser surgery has been used in the past, but it doesn’t work for everyone. Now doctors at John Hopkins have discovered a new therapy that may breathe new life into some damaged eyes. "By giving patients with diabetic macular edema supplemental oxygen where they simply breathe higher levels of oxygen in, this resulted in a decrease in thickening in the retina and some improvement in visual activity."
Scientists On The Way To Genetically Altering Fat Genes Imagine if you could indulge in the fattiest of foods and not gain a single pound. It sounds too good to be true, but genetically engineered mice at the University of Michigan Medical School are living every frustrated dieter's dream.
New Gene Associated With Diabetes Discovered Researchers have identified a new gene, a mutation which is associated with type 1 diabetes. The finding gives scientists a clue about the autoimmune cause of diabetes and suggests that the mutated SUMO-4 gene may influence the inflammatory process itself and increase the susceptibility to the complications of diabetes.
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Did You Know?
The devastating complications of diabetes, such as blindness, kidney failure and heart disease, are imposing a huge burden on healthcare services. It is estimated that diabetes accounts for between 5% and 20% of a nation's health budget. IDF 2004
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DIABeducation™ di
August 2004
By Theresa Garnero, APRN, BC-ADM, MSN, CDE

The Golden Pancreas Award

Move over Hollywood. The American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) took center stage this August at our national convention in Indianapolis.

The red carpet was rolled out to celebrate our efforts as certified diabetes educators (CDEs) and provide over 130 courses from internationally renowned speakers on the latest research and approaches to care. Out of over 10,000 CDEs in the United States, I was honored to receive the prestigious Diabetes Educator of the Year award and the Allene Van Son award for best audiovisual education tool for my diabetes cartoons.

Wait! Slam on the brakes! Have you not heard about AADE? The AADE is the leading authority in diabetes self-management training and in lifestyle management for the prevention of diabetes.

So, why aren’t AADE and diabetes educator household names? Visibility. At the conference, we were hard to miss with over 6,000 attendees. At home, in your community, do you know your diabetes educator? to read more
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Readers' Forum forum
Our first question is about morning highs, or the "Dawn Phenomenon." Most of the research I found said it was rare for Type 2 diabetics. I disagree and I would like to hear from you if you could share your experiences with the Dawn Effect. Researchers, medical professionals and even lay people who read a lot may disagree on a subject. I have presented both sides when it comes to drug interaction and vitamin E and diabetes.

Q - I was diagnosed 4 months ago with Type II diabetes after a Glucose Tolerance Test.  I have improved my diet and increased exercise and am not taking any medications.  I had a A1c result of 5.5 last month.  I regularly take my BG levels and am staying within target goals provided to me.  The one area that I have not been able to improve in is morning fasting levels, usually 100 - 110 (immediately after waking up) and 110 - 120 (before breakfast 2 hours after wakeup).  It appears that I have a natural increase of BG as the morning goes on, food or no food.  I've tested a few times in the middle of the night and run around 90 - 95.  Do you have any suggestions on how I can improve my morning BGs? - Brian -  for our answer

Q - I have Type 2 diabetes and am on Zocor for high cholesterol. My doctor took me off Vitamin E based on the latest research that it was bad for you. What is your opinion? I just want to get more information. - Dave - for our answer
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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.

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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.

Important Notice: The opinions and statements expressed in the Defeat Diabetes^® E-Lertsä Newsletter are directed at a general audience. Its intent is solely for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes and is not to be construed as medical advice or instruction. Please consult a health professional on any matters regarding your health and well-being, or if you are interested in anything mentioned in the Defeat Diabetes^® E-Lertsä Newsletter. The information presented here is believed to be accurate, based on the best judgment of the Program Director, but the reader is responsible for consulting with his/her own health professional on any matters raised within.