Defeat Diabetes® E-Lerts™ Newsletter

February 2006
(Volume V, Issue 2)

Each year in the United States, nearly 100,000 people are diagnosed with kidney failure, a serious condition in which the kidneys fail to rid the body of wastes. Kidney failure is the final stage of a slow deterioration of the kidneys, a process known as nephropathy. March is National Kidney Month.

Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure, accounting for more than 40 percent of new cases. Even when drugs and diet are able to control diabetes, the disease can lead to nephropathy and kidney failure. For people with diabetes, slowing or preventing kidney disease is a must. Keep your blood pressure under control, eat a moderate protein diet and intensive glucose management of blood glucose will help. NIDDK

Latest News - Scary Statistics, Warnings, Important Information: Pollution and height are risk factors and now half of our children have diabetes risk factors.

Latest News - Self-Management: Food: Foods that lower heart disease, clobber cholesterol and stroke and ways to feel full and not give into temptation.

Latest News - Type 1 Diabetes: Epilepsy, brain changes, bone density, the insulin pump and more.

Latest News - Self-Management: Supplements, Medication and Care: Retinopathy, snoring and hangovers. Also, something new about chromium picolinate.

Mr. Diabetes® Introduces New Health Supplements for Diabetics: For More Information
Holt's Diabetic Fish Oil: There is a massive deficiency of omega 3 fatty acids in Western society. The best source of these essential types of fat is coldwater fish. Read More
Diabetic MultiVitamins: It is estimated that millions of individuals on a standard American diet may suffer from one or more deficiencies of essential vitamins. Read More
Diabetic MultiMinerals: Many scientific articles have shown that diabetics may excrete or utilize large amounts of minerals. If blood sugar rises, excessive urination can lead to the leeching of vital minerals from the body (eg. Magnesium). Read More

Islets of Humor™: Theresa Garnero looks at the new Inhaled Insulin and what does she see?

DIABeducation™: Theresa Garnero, APRN, BC-ADM, MSN, CDE, takes a serious look at The Choice to Inhale Insulin. Theresa's analysis is truly enlightening.

Mr. Diabetes®, Andy Mandell, is in Florida at the Defeat Diabetes Foundation National Headquarters. He has been keeping busy (and keeping us busy) with his Executive Director duties. He has also completed a 60 second and 30 second PSA (Public Service Announcement) for the D.A.N. Project, one of Defeat Diabetes® Foundation' Public Awareness Programs. See More

Kevin's Tech Tips: Kevin McBride tackles "phishing" scams and sharing e-mail between two pcs. Thank you Kevin!

Maybe we're a little early for St. Patrick's Day, but we wanted to share some fun food Recipes from Jyl Steinback, America's Healthiest Mom.

Treatments on the Horizon: A laser technique, vibrating insoles and new diabetes drugs in the pipeline.

Readers' Forum: Dealing with cravings and a warning for cinnamon?

National Examiner: The February 20, 2006 issue featured Andy Mandell, Mr. Diabetes®, in their feature, The Day That Changed My Life. That was the day he found out he had type 2 diabetes. This was coordinated with our Public Outreach Director, Dawn Swidorski.

You are beginning to see some of the new programs and projects we have been telling you about in the past few months. There is more to come......

Good Health,
Lisa M. Rasolt
Program Director
LRasolt@DefeatDiabetes.org
www.DefeatDiabetes.org
Awareness + Action = Prevention®
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Did You Know?
What, When, and Where in 2006: 4 of 10 restaurant-chain chefs think portion size will be a new major trend. More than 3 in 10 expect comfort foods (i.e., meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, pot roast) to be a driver. Food Technology magazine-What, When, and Where America Eats.
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Latest News - Scary Statistics, Warnings, Important Information
Pollution Increases Heart Attack Risk for Diabetics and the Overweight Obese individuals at risk of diabetes are in danger of cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, when exposed to pollution from diesel exhaust or power plant emissions, says a University of Alberta researcher who is sounding the alarm in a study offering the first direct proof of that relationship.
Height A Factor For Amputation Among Patients With Diabetes In the whole study population, every 10-cm increase in height was associated with a 16% increase in risk of amputation. In the subgroup of patients for whom data on fasting plasma glucose levels and dyslipidemia were available, the risk of amputation was even greater (79% relative increase in risk of amputation.) This finding was independent of other factors such as the adequacy of diabetes control.
Half of U.S. Children Have Diabetes Risk Factors  The study found that half were overweight or on the verge of becoming overweight -- one of the main risk factors for type 2 diabetes. *********************************************************
Did You Know?
No- and low-fat foods have slimmed to single-digit growth but it's still a $32-billion segment-more than twice the size of the widely acclaimed organic foods category. Food Technology magazine-What, When, and Where America Eats
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Latest News - Self-Management: Food:
Red Grapefruit Lowers Heart Disease Risk Eating a red grapefruit a day could reduce cholesterol by 15 per cent and triglycerides by 17 per cent and protect against heart disease. Editor's Note: There are certain medications that may interact with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Please check with your pharmacist or physician.
The Nuts that May Clobber Cholesterol If you are looking for a way to keep your heart healthy and still satisfy your snacking mood, pistachios and sunflower seeds may be the powerful cholesterol-fighting tool your body needs.
Five Servings of Fruits and Vegetables Dip Stroke Risk Consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may significantly reduce the risk of stroke by 26%.
Low-Fat Diet Does Not Cut Health Risks The largest study ever to ask whether a low-fat diet reduces the risk of getting cancer or heart disease has found that the diet has no effect.
The 'Temptation Factor' -- Candy on the Desk is Candy in the Mouth, Cornell Study of Women Finds The study finds that women eat more than twice as many Hershey Kisses when they are in clear containers on their desks than when they are in opaque containers on their desks -- but fewer when they are six feet away.
Top Five Ways to Feel Full and Eat Less It's a common complaint: how can you lose weight if you're hungry all the time? The solution may be easier than you think. Many acts of overeating, in fact, may have less to do with appetite than the sheer amount of food we have on our plate.
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Mr. Diabetes® Introduces New Health Supplements for Diabetics
Holt’s Diabetic Fish Oil:  There are inexpensive fish oil supplements on the market but they often have inferior concentrations of omega 3 fatty acids and some contain contaminants with heavy metals or oxidized fats. Fish oil supplements need to be taken in relatively large doses and without the special Targeted Delivery™ system of Holt’s Diabetic Fish Oil™ gastrointestinal upset may occur with fishy burps and halitosis. The delivery system helps individuals tolerate increased amounts of fish oil that they may require for optimal nutrition. Holt’s Diabetic Fish Oil™ is guaranteed high quality. Get All the Details
advertisement  For More Information

Diabetic MultiVitamins:  It is estimated that millions of individuals on a standard American diet may suffer from one or more deficiencies of essential vitamins.  In the presence of diabetes mellitus, much medical evidence shows that individuals are particularly susceptible to deficiencies in vital nutrients for a variety of reasons.  Having diabetes mellitus forces individuals to be careful about the selection of foods in their diet and the more selective a menu becomes, the more difficult it is to supply optimum intake of nutrients that are required for the maintenance of healthy body structures and functions.  Diabetic MultiVitamin was physician formulated to provide necessary vitamins for a healthy lifestyle. Get All the Details

Diabetic MultiMinerals:  Many scientific articles have shown that diabetics may excrete or utilize large amounts of minerals. If blood sugar rises, excessive urination can lead to the leeching of vital minerals from the body (eg. Magnesium).  Diabetic MultiMinerals is physician formulated to replace minerals necessary for your health. Get All the Details
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Latest News - Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes Linked With Epilepsy  Young adults with generalized epilepsy of unknown origin have a four-fold excess risk of having type 1 diabetes.
New Technology Detects Brain Changes In Patients With Type 1 Diabetes  Although people with diabetes are twice as likely as the general population to develop depression, the cause of this increased risk is not well understood. For the first time, doctors have reason to ask if the increased risk of depression could in fact be due to changes in brain.
Women with Type 1 Have Low Bone Density Bone mineral density (BMD) in premenopausal women with type1 diabetes, is 3 percent to 8 percent lower than in women without diabetes, investigators report.
Intensive Monitoring and Treatment Required for Gestational Diabetes The researchers concluded that, for pregnant women with type 1 diabetes, optimal glycemic control required a target HbA1c level of 6.0% or lower, and that at least 10 SMBG measurements daily were necessary to accurately reflect daily fluctuations in glucose concentrations.
Age Determines Utility of Insulin Pump in Children With Type 1 Diabetes Treating children with type 1 diabetes with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion - rather than multiple daily injections - improves their long-term glycemic control if they are under 12 years of age, new findings suggest. For children over 12, while metabolic control levels remain comparable with either process, continuous infusion decreases the typical weight gain.
Low Serotonin Activity Seen in Diabetic Children Low brain serotonergic neurotransmission may account for mood disorders in children with type 1 diabetes.
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Did You Know?
One in three patients with type I diabetes develops end-stage kidney failure, which eventually requires either a kidney transplant or hemodialysis treatment for life. CDC
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Latest News - Self-Management: Supplements, Medication and Care
Chromium Picolinate Helps Muscles Use Blood Sugar  A new published study: it is reported that chromium prompts muscles to become more efficient. Researchers found that daily use of chromium picolinate enhanced muscle sensitivity to insulin in obese, insulin-resistant rats.
Case Management Reduces Risk of Diabetic Retinopathy  A relatively short period of case management can reduce the risk of retinopathy in people with type 2 diabetes.
Cut out Snoring for a Happier Marriage  Obstructive sleep apnea, a medical problem caused when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep, is often the cause of snoring.  "Couples who struggle with sleep apnea have a high divorce rate."
Avoiding Hangover Hell  Hangover remedies abound and include such treats as anchovies, tea made from rabbit droppings and, of course, another stiff drink. But do any of them work? Dr. Swift, a professor of psychiatry at Brown University Medical School and associate chief of research at the Providence VA Medical Center in Rhode Island, talks about what exactly causes a hangover, how best to cope—and how to avoid such misery in the first place.
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Defeat Diabetes® Public Awareness Programs
Defeat Diabetes Foundation is very proud of the Kerner family and their commitment to the D.A.N. Project. Through their efforts and Defeat Diabetes Foundation, we are able to present 2 PSAs (Public Service Announcements) emphasizing the importance of prevention and/or early detection of diabetes.
What's worse than finding out you have diabetes...Not Finding Out!
Learn why early detection is so important!
These PSAs were produced for Defeat Diabetes Foundation by Robert M. Zakon of Newton, Massachusetts
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Healthy and Delicious Recipes - Good for Diabetics, Too
Is anybody ready for some St. Patrick's Day festivities? This is just an excuse to put together some really fun food by Jyl Steinback, America's Healthiest Mom.
Beer Bread
Spinach-Cheese Dip
Potato Soup
St. Patrick's Day Cabbage Special
Poached Salmon with Mustard-Dill Sauce
Mocha Madness
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Did You Know?
There are more U.S. Chinese restaurants than McDonald's, Wendy's, and Burger Kings combined. Food Technology magazine-What, When, and Where America Eats
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Islets of Humor™ humor
By Theresa Garnero, APRN, BC-ADM, MSN, CDE
February 2006

See More of Theresa's cartoons
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Mr. Diabetes® Says
Words may show a man's wit but actions his meaning. Benjamin Franklin
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DIABeducation™ diabeducation
By Theresa Garnero, APRN, BC-ADM, MSN, CDE
February 2006 

The Choice to Inhale Insulin
The wait to take a deep breath of insulin is almost over for the diabetes community.

Eighty years after learning to successfully inject insulin into the body, researchers discovered how to inhale the life-saving hormone, and obtained FDA approval for Exubera® this January which is expected to be available mid-year.

That’s a long time to wait, but not if you want an alternative way to get rapid-acting insulin into your system.

Exubera® is a mealtime insulin that is taken about 10 minutes prior to eating via an inhaler. According to the manufacturer, a “blister of Exubera insulin” is inserted into an inhaler. A handle on the inhaler is pumped, causing an insulin cloud to be released into the chamber, which is then inhaled by a person breathing normally. The insulin passes from the mouth quickly to the lungs where it is rapidly absorbed.

And that’s a good thing. Millions of people need insulin but don’t take it. Fear of injecting insulin has long been a barrier to obtaining diabetes control and preventing needless complications, especially for those with type 2. Exubera® can be used with diabetes pills.

In addition, the hope is that Exubera® will allow people to receive insulin much earlier in their treatment plan. Hyperglycemia, or glucose values over 200 mg/dl, are rampant for people with diabetes. As a certified diabetes educator, it common to hear people say, “I don’t want to be on insulin — that means my diabetes is really serious! My father was on insulin and lost his leg.” Insulin did not cause the amputation; hyperglycemia did.

Plus, for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes who need a break from injecting insulin before each meal, the convenience factor can be huge, equating to 1,092 less injections/year.

So what’s the catch with this technological breakthrough? Some potential concerns include: Read More
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Did You Know?
Cayenne, a medicinal and nutritional herb, is a good source of vitamins A and C, has the complete B complex, and is very rich in organic calcium and potassium, contributing to heart health. Countertop Magician, Jyl Steinback, America's Healthiest Mom
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Kevin's Tech Tips kevin
By Kevin McBride
February 2006

Sharing E-mail Between Two PCs
Question:
This one has bothered me for a long time. My main PC goes by Ethernet to the router. My laptop goes by wireless connection to the router. The router then connects to a cable modem. How should e-mail (Outlook Express) be set up to be shared by both PCs? - J.E.  For Kevin's Answer
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Did You Know?
The most common place where Americans keep medications is also the worst place, “The bathroom medicine cabinet is the worst place to keep both over-the-counter and prescription drugs due to heat, moisture and humidity in the bathroom. Store medications in a cool, dry place such as a closet, out of direct sunlight and on an upper shelf, and out of the reach of children.” Heat and moisture hasten the deterioration of medications, causing them to lose potency. Director of UAB Drug Information Service
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Treatments on the Horizon
Laser Technique Prevents Diabetes Amputation  A laser technique that uses ultraviolet energy to restore blood flow to blocked arteries may help people with advanced diabetes avoid one of the most devastating complications of the disease -- amputation.
New Diabetes Drugs In the Pipeline Six new pharma treatment strategies in controlling diabetes. The complexity of glucose metabolism and the number of cellular processes affected by diabetes provides ample space for new drug targets and for first-in-class molecules. Some of them have reached or are close to early clinical development in type 2 diabetes.
Vibrating Insoles Improve Balance in Patients With Stroke and Neuropathy  For the elderly, falling is the leading cause of death due to injury. Now, a biomedical engineer is studying how vibrations can help seniors keep their balance.
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Did You Know?
The C.D.C. has projected that a child found to have Type 2 diabetes at age 10 will see his life shortened by 19 years.
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Readers' Forum forum
Q - I have type 2 diabetes and I'm also suffering from depression. I have cravings for sweets and carbohydrates that are out of control and I'm gaining lots of weight. Do you know of anything that might curb these cravings? - Shana -
 For Our Answer
Q - I am pre diabetic. I purchased 500MG cinnamon pills from a well known vitamin store. This is a easy way to take cinnamon. However, on the label it states "not for long term use". Do you know why this would be true? The dosage is 2 pills/day or 1000MG. - Robert - For Our Answer
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Did You Know?
Despite its ability to stop the progress of certain diseases, most professionals claim that the main benefits of eating seafood lie in prevention rather than cure. A diet rich in oily fish is likely to protect against the onset of many serious diseases. Countertop Magician, Jyl Steinback, America's Healthiest Mom
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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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