Defeat Diabetes^® E-Lerts™ Newsletter

May 2005
(Volume IV, Issue 5)

We at Defeat Diabetes Foundation believe we have a varied audience who reads our monthly E-Lerts™ newsletter; from pre-diabetics, newly diagnosed diabetics, families and friends of diabetics and those who have had diabetes for a long time. But one thing all of our readers have in common: They want to know what they can do to help themselves or their loved ones. Another word for that is Self-Management.

We provide the latest news and information for you to discuss with your medical team (as we do ourselves) and to help you with day-to-day life-style enhancements. In our Latest News segments this month we tackle Risks and Self-Management, Complications, effect of Drugs, and how Technology can really help.

In our Reader Submissions section: a Diabetes Awareness program was established to educate rural villagers in India about diabetes. They give free blood screening tests and teach them necessary skills and information to control their diabetes. It's a great service these men and women are performing and we are honored to share their experiences.

If you would like to submit a story, a poem, pictures, etc. please go to our Reader Submission page to find out how.

The United States Department of Agriculture has finally issued their newly revised “MyPyramid…Steps to a Healthier You.” Is it relevant to diabetics? Read this month's Nutrition News by Barbara Quinn, MS, RD, CDE and find out.

Mr. Diabetes®, Andy Mandell, is busy walking and talking. He resumed his trek in April in Zion, Illinois, walked through Chicago, parts of Indiana and is now in Michigan. He has walked over 6300 miles to date. He has received seven proclamations in the last few weeks and has spoken at hospitals, Rotary Clubs and the Coast Guard.  read more

Defeat Diabetes Foundation Illuminating Moldable Bracelet
Patent pending, space age technology is visible all night long, and is rechargeable indefinitely with any light source. Unisex bracelet is pliable and will bend and mold to any wrist, ankle or arm. These unique bracelets can be worn under or over clothing. Your purchases help support Defeat Diabetes® Programs for more information

In this month's Islets of Humor™, by Theresa Garnero, APRN, BC-ADM, MSN, CDE, Theresa takes a light-hearted approach to the new "My Pyramid...Steps to a Healthier You."

Here's one I've been wanting to do for a long time - DESSERTS! I've read that people with diabetes do not have more cravings for sweets than those who don't, but personally, I don't subscribe to that theory. So here are some tasty, low fat (less than 1 gram of fat per serving), lower carb desserts from Jyl Steinback, America's Healthiest Mom.

Your brain, your DNA and your heart are all part of exciting Treatments on the Horizon this month.

This month, in Readers' Forum, we're focusing on products that are marketed to and for people with diabetes. I would be interested in your comments if you have tried these or other "diabetic" products.

We are proud to announce our new national headquarters. The phone numbers remain the same but our new address is:

Defeat Diabetes Foundation
150 153rd Avenue, Suite 300
Madeira, Beach, Florida  33708

Good Health,
Lisa M. Rasolt
Program Director
lrasolt@DefeatDiabetes.org
www.DefeatDiabetes.org
Awareness + Action = Prevention®
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Did You Know?
Vinegar Improves Insulin Sensitivity in Type 2 Diabetes: Recent large-scale trials (The Diabetes Prevention Program and STOP-NIDDM) have demonstrated that vinegar slightly enhanced post-meal sensitivity in people with Type 2 diabetes and varying degrees of insulin sensitivity. Diabetes Care 2004.27:281-282 read more
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Latest News - Risks and Self-Management
Fiber Supplement Lowers Cardiovascular Risk in Type 2’s Fiber supplements lower "bad" low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and increase "good" high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes - a 28% drop in LDL over 90 days.
Depression in Young Adults Tied to Risk of Becoming Diabetic  Young adults with a history of depression have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and having worse outcomes.
Obesity in Middle Age Associated With Increased Risk of Future Dementia Risk of dementia was increased by 74% in obese people, and by 35% in overweight people.
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Did You Know?
To remove fish odor from your hands, wash your hands with an inch-long glob of white fluoride toothpaste and the fishy odor will disappear.
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Latest News - Complications 
70% of Leg Amputations Due to Diabetes Every 30 seconds a leg is lost due to diabetes in the world and 70 per cent of all leg amputations were done on people with diabetes.
ADA Survey Finds Most People with Diabetes Don't Know About Highly Prevalent, Serious Complication of Neuropathy  A new national survey reveals that, while the majority of people with diabetes experience symptoms associated with diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) -- a serious complication of diabetes that leads to sensations of pain and/or numbness, tingling or "pins and needles" in the feet and hands -- only a small minority have been diagnosed with this condition.
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Did You Know?
Supermarket shelf tags have 5 pieces of information: price, size, UPC, order number, and case size.
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Latest News - Drugs
Can Lizard Spit Treat Diabetes???  A new class of a diabetes drug derived from a poisonous Gila monster, a poisonous lizard that lives in the Southwest and in Mexico has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The drug, called Byetta (exenatide), will be the first in a new class of drugs called incretin mimetics to reach the market for Type 2 diabetes.
Metformin Cuts Risk of Cancer in Diabetics Patients with type 2 diabetes who are prescribed metformin appear to be at lower risk of cancer than those not treated with metformin.
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Mr. Diabetes® Says
The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple. Oscar Wilde
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Latest News - Technology
Computer Predicts Effects Of Diabetes Treatments For each treatment, the model can predict the rate of survival and death, amputations avoided, quality of life, costs, and cost per quality-adjusted life year.
Internet Program Launched to Prevent Blindness in Diabetic Patients  New High Tech Study to determine if early screening using a special camera and images transmitted over the Internet can prevent blindness in Medicaid patients with diabetes.
Pedometers Can Save Lives Taking 2000 more steps per day can be the difference between weight gain and maintaining or losing weight, that’s just 20 minutes a day!
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Did You Know?
A healthy body for a lively brain: According to a 10-year study of elderly men, longer and more intense physical activity may help people to maintain their cognitive skills as they age. Neurology 2004; 63: 2316-21
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Reader Submissions submissions
Health Education, Awareness & Research Trust  (HEART) Program


A Diabetes Awareness program was established to educate rural villagers in India about diabetes. They give free blood screening tests and teach them necessary skills and information to control their diabetes. Read about this truly inspirational HEART program. To read, in detail, how they have conducted their 3^rd Diabetes Awareness and Blood Screening Program click here.
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Did You Know?
Grade A eggs were packed in the last 30 days; Grade AA in the last 10.
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Nutrition News nutrition
By Barbara Quinn, MS, RD, CDE
May 2005
My Pyramid for Diabetes
Is the newly revised “MyPyramid…Steps to a Healthier You,” relevant to people with diabetes? Let’s take a look:
The United States Department of Agriculture’s new “MyPyramid” eating plan is based on the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These guidelines were formulated from scientific evidence that shows a pattern of eating that can reduce the risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.  to read more
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Defeat Diabetes Foundation Illuminating Moldable Bracelet
Patent pending, space age technology is visible all night long, and is rechargeable indefinitely with any light source. Unisex bracelet is pliable and will bend and mold to any wrist, ankle or arm. These unique bracelets can be worn under or over clothing. Your purchases help support Defeat Diabetes® Programs.
                  for more information
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Islets of Humor™ humor
By Theresa Garnero, APRN, BC-ADM, MSN, CDE
May 2005

to see more of Theresa's cartoons click here
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Did You Know?
Exercise in cold water instead of warm water may increase people’s appetites, making it harder for them to lose extra pounds.  University of Florida study
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Diabetic Recipes recipes
Here's one I've been wanting to do for a long time - DESSERTS! I've read that people with diabetes do not have more cravings for sweets than those who don't, but personally, I don't subscribe to that theory. So here are some tasty, low fat (less than 1 gram of fat per serving), lower carb desserts from Jyl Steinback, America's Healthiest Mom.
Lemon Soufflé Glacé
Creamy Chocolate Pie
Italian Zabaglione Custard Sauce and Fruit
Cheesecake
Bananas Flamed with Rum
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
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Did You Know?
Step Counting Increases Exercise More Than Timed Walking
Instructing sedentary women to walk 10,000 steps per day is more effective at increasing exercise per day than is asking them to walk 30 minutes on most days of the week.
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Treatments on the Horizon
Alter Your DNA Linked to Diabetes and CVD With Exercise They found that many activated genes are likely linked to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Muscle study reveals how physical training activates hundreds of genes. The study provides targets for developing interventions that mimic the effects of exercise.
Leptin Alters Brains - Eases Cravings of People with Obesity Gene  After receiving leptin replacement therapy, research subjects with a recessive mutation in the obesity (ob) gene – a population both deficient in Leptin and morbidly obese – lost about half of their body weight while regulating their own food intake.
Brain Cells Form Insulin-Producing Cells "Islets and neurons share features, including common developmental programs, and in some species brain neurons are the principal source of systemic insulin."
Research May Re-Define Management of Heart Failure in Diabetes Control of oxidized copper levels in the body may be as important as lowering blood glucose levels in preventing cardiovascular complications in diabetes.
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Defeat Diabetes® Public Awareness Programs donate
Defeat Diabetes Foundation has provided over 2.5 million Defeat Diabetes® Screening Tests to over 4800 schools in all 50 states. We need your financial support for all of our Defeat Diabetes® Public Awareness Programs. Defeat Diabetes Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  Our web site is secure and all donations are tax-deductible. Please Donate Now
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Readers' Forum forum
This month we're focusing on products that are marketed to and for people with diabetes. I would be interested in your comments if you have tried these or other "diabetic" products.

Q - I read, with interest, the short article written on the Diabetic Insole developed at the University of Michigan by  Ammanath Peethambara. I would like more information on the product. - Barry - for our response
Q - What is your opinion of the product DIABETICINE? - Fernando - for our response
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Did You Know?
Flossing is very important, in addition to brushing your teeth. There are about 500 species of bacteria living in your mouth that form plaque on your teeth. Plaque is best removed by daily flossing.
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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.