World Diabetes Day - November 14th, 2009

There are 5 days left until World Diabetes Day (WDD) 2009. This international campaign to educate and prevent diabetes is led by the International Diabetes Federation. On November 14th, 2009, join people all over the world in lighting a candle for WDD, or find out other ways to get involved.

November is American Diabetes Month

This November, join the American Diabetes Association in a national movement to Stop Diabetes.

Here's how you can get involved:

• Share -Inspire others by sharing your personal story by word of mouth, social media sites (Twitter, Facebook) and by blogging.
• Act - Consider walking or riding your bike more often to get some extra exercise.
  
• Learn - The ADA and AmericanDiabetes.com are both useful resources for those living with diabetes or at risk for the disease.
• Give - Help raise money for diabetes research and education.
  

Foot Care Tips for Diabetics

People with diabetes are at high risk for foot problems and lower extremity amputations. In order to lower your risk for foot problems, it is important for diabetics to care for their feet. Here are a few simple tips from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons which will keep your feet in tip-top shape, despite your diabetes.

• Wash your feet daily with soap and water. Dry them carefully after washing.
• Apply a rich moisturizer, avoiding the spaces in between your toes.
  
• Trim your toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails.
• Avoid antiseptics, sharp tools and using heating pads on your feet.
• Prevent circulatory problems by quitting smoking.
• Avoid sitting with your legs crossed.

Top 20 Super Foods for Diabetics

Here are the Top 20 Super Foods for Diabetics. Not only are these foods a great way to control your weight and blood glucose levels, they are also easy to find and prepare.

Join me in counting down the Top 20 Super Foods for Diabetics based on fiber content, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals:

20. Yogurt - an excellent source of calcium, vitamin B2, zinc and protein.
19. Tomatoes - high in vitamin C, potassium and lycopene. For optimal lycopene absorption, cook your tomatoes instead of consuming them raw.
18. Tea - whether you drink it hot or cold, tea contains antioxidants which may prevent disease. White and green teas have more antioxidants than black teas.
17. Soy - even if you aren't a vegetarian you can still benefit from the protein, zinc, iron and potassium present in soy beans. For maximum protein, try baby green soybeans called edamame.
16. Spinach - loaded with vitamins and minerals including B2 and B6, potassium, zinc, fiber and beta-carotene.
15. Raspberries - packed with fiber and vitamin C.
14. Red Onions - a good source of fiber, potassium and folate.
13. Oatmeal - the soluble fiber in oats can lower cholesterol, improve blood pressure and stabilize blood glucose. Oats also provide vitamin E, B, magnesium and potassium.
12. Nuts - walnuts, almonds, macadamia nuts, pecans and hazelnuts help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. Nuts are also a great source of fiber, protein, vitamin E and healthy fats.
11. Melon - high in vitamin C and potassium. Includes watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, casaba and more.
10. Apples - the soluble and insoluble fiber in apples may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and may stabilize blood glucose.
9. Cranberries - packed with vitamin C and antioxidants.
8. Flaxseed - high in fiber and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a fatty acid with similar benefits as omega-3 fatty acids. Which brings us to...
7. Fish - salmon, trout, tuna, sardines, mackerel and herring are especially rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
6. Carrots - cooked or raw, carrots contain beta-carotene, which provides vitamin A, and are a great source of fiber.
5. Broccoli - with more vitamin C per 100 grams than an orange, fiber and beta-carotene, broccoli truly is a super food.
4. Beans - high in fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals.
3. Red Grapefruit - a truly heart-healthy fruit, rich in vitamin C.
2. Blueberries - fiber, vitamin C, antioxidants make blueberries effective disease fighters.
1. Asparagus - high in fiber, vitamin B folate and vitamin C.

Halloween Tricks and Treats for Diabetics

It's mid-October, and the only thing scarier than Halloween are the sugar levels of all that candy!

Here are some simple tricks-and-treats to keep help manage your diabetes, while still staying in the spirit of the sweet-filled holiday.

1. Remember, one piece of candy will not kill you. However, opt for sugar-free options if you feel the need to splurge.
2. If you have been suppressing your sweet tooth, Halloween is not an excuse for a candy buffet.
3. Just because you are diabetic doesn't mean you can't pass out candy to trick-or-treaters or take your own children out. Plus, there are always candy alternatives such as popcorn balls or coupons.
4. This is the perfect time to educate the neighborhood kids about sugar moderation and diabetes.

H1N1 "Swine" Flu Vaccine to be Available Shortly

On September 15, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its approval of four vaccines against the H1N1, or “swine” flu, virus. According to federal officials, 6-7 million doses of vaccine will be available starting the first week in October, with millions more doses to be shipped in the following weeks.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that the rate of doctor visits for flu-like symptoms is higher than typically expected at this time of year. However, the vaccines currently available for seasonal flu do not protect against the H1N1 virus.

Although there will eventually be enough H1N1 vaccines for everyone in the United States, healthy adults are encouraged to hold off on being vaccinated so that people who are most at-risk from the flu can receive the vaccine first. Those identified as at-risk include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children under 6 months old, health-care and emergency service workers, people from 6 months to 24 years old, and those from 25 to 64 years old who have a chronic health disorder, such as diabetes or a compromised immune system.

Since the flu is spread primarily by the coughing and sneezing of infected people, those who have the H1N1 flu are advised to stay home and limit their contact with other people to prevent the spread of infection. It is also important to wash your hands with soap and water or to use hand sanitizer to avoid spreading the virus through contact.

For more information visit the CDC's H1N1 "Swine" Flu page.

Managing Gestational Diabetes with a Diabetic Diet

3-5% of pregnant women will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. While this condition is rare, it is important to know how to manage the disease during your pregnancy. One of the easiest ways of managing your gestational diabetes is by following a healthy, diabetes-friendly diet. The diabetic diet you follow during pregnancy will help regulate your blood sugar and ensure the health of your baby.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when planning a Gestational Diabetes Diet:

1. Meet with your doctor to discuss your personalized meal plan that will be focused on helping you maintain normal blood glucose levels. Ask any questions you may have, and be sure you are clear on what foods are appropriate for you to eat as well as how much you should eat.
2. Avoid sugar and all foods high in sugar. These will create unnecessary and harmful spikes in your blood sugar.
3. Choose complex carbohydrates, including vegetables, grains, cereals, beans, peas and other starchy foods. These take longer to break down in your body and help regulate your blood sugar.
4. Place emphasis on foods that are high in fiber in your diet, and choose foods that are low in fat.
5. Eat bedtime snacks that contain both protein and complex carbohydrates to encourage your body to maintain a constant level of blood sugar.
6. Be sure to eat 3 consistent meals a day with several snacks at similar times each day in order to provide adequate nutrition to you and your baby as well as regulate your blood sugar naturally.

For more information about Blood Sugar Levels and Pregnancy, please visit American Diabetes Services.

Disney to Air Hannah Montana Diabetes Episode

Disney Channel will air a special juvenile diabetes episode of Hannah Montana September 20th at 7:30 PM.

The episode depicts Miley Cyrus and Lilly (Emily Osment) reacting to the knowledge that Oliver (Mitchel Musso) has been diagnosed with Type I diabetes. The two girls then play "food police" at a sweet 16 party to keep Oliver away from certain foods.

Disney has also enlisted their own popular Type 1 Diabetes spokeperson, Nick Jonas, to star in a public service announcement to air during the show.

The Diabetic Jet-Setter's Survival Guide

Air travel for diabetics has gotten progressively easier over the last 10 years, coming a long way from when diabetics were constrained to bus and train travel due to security concerns about diabetic supplies. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have teamed up to offer time-saving tips for jet-setting diabetics.

• Pack Extra Medicine and Supplies - Pack twice as much medicine and supplies as you will need. Put half of it in your carry-on and half in your checked baggage, just in case you lose your luggage or have an emergency situation.
• Stock Up on 3 oz. Containers - Make sure your containers are less than 3 oz. and that they are stored in a clear, one-quart plastic bag.
• Label Your Prescriptions - Make sure your name, pharmacy, doctor and dosage are identified on your prescription labels.
• Box Up Syringes - There is no limit on the amount of syringes you can bring on board, but they should be placed in a hard shelled box for protection.
• Identify Yourself as a Diabetic - As you approach the security check-point, make sure to tell security that you have diabetes. It is also a good idea to have proof of diagnosis of the disease, although this is not required.

Diabetes Increases Risk of Amputation

About 82,000 legs and feet are amputated each year in the United States because of diabetes. The disease affects 23.6 million people in the USA and increases the risk of lower extremity amputation by 15%.

More than 60% of all non-traumatic lower extremity amputations occur in diabetic patients. Diabetic feet are at risk because of the way the disease influences sensation, blood flow and ability to fight infections through neuropathy and vascular disease.

Many diabetics lose feeling in their feet as a result of nerve damage from poorly controlled blood glucose. Once the patient is without feeling in the bottom of their feet, they will not be able to notice if a sharp object pierces the skin or if the skin otherwise breaks, leaving the foot susceptible to infection.

The best way to prevent amputations is through patient education, preventative care and routine foot evaluations by a physcian. These evaluations recognize risk areas and test for sensitivity and blood flow to the feet. The physciain will then complete a plan for the patient which may include home care tips, follow-up appointments, corn and callus removal or the use of special shoe inserts.

Diabetic Eye Disease

High blood glucose can damage your eyes over time, which is why a person with diabetes is at risk for developing diabetic eye disease, especially diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma.

Diabetic eye disease is the leading cause of blindness in young and middle aged adults and the longer you have had diabetes, the greater your risk. If you have diabetes, it is recommended that you get a dilated eye exam with an ophthalmologist at least once a year, especially since diabetic eye disease may be present without symptoms.

Here are some tips for diabetics to promote good eye health:

• Eat healthy. Choose high-fiber, low-fat foods such as vegetables, lentils, beans and whole grains. Eat more fish and chicken. Avoid juice, soda, candy and fried or oily foods.

• Reach and stay at a healthy weight. Get regular physical activity.

• Take your medicine as prescribed by your doctor.

• Monitor your blood sugar daily.

• Quit smoking.

• Get a dilated eye exam once a year. Have your ophthalmologist examine your eyes once a year. Finding eye problems early and getting treatment right away will help prevent more serious problems later on.

Not Getting Enough Shut-Eye May Increase Your Risk of Diabetes

An inadequate amount of sleep, coupled with lack of exercise and poor diet, may increase your risk of developing diabetes.

The results of a new study by the University of Chicago confirm that the ability to regulate one's blood sugar is dependent on how much sleep the person gets.

Five men and six women volunteered for the study. All were middle-aged, little overweight and exercised rarely. The study consisted of two 14-day periods: one where they were allowed to sleep 8.5 hours nightly and one where they were restricted to 5.5 hours of shut-eye a night. The volunteers were not allowed to exercise and junk food was made available to them.

When sleeping too little, the volunteers' blood sugar was higher on a glucose tollerance test and they became less sensitive to the blood sugar hormone insulin.

Diabetes on the Rise Among Hispanics

Diabetes is rising in Hispanic populations in the United States, according to 2008 statistics from the National Institutes of Health.

In general, Hispanics are diagnosed with diabetes at twice the rate of Caucasian Americans and many go undiagnosed.

According to the NIH, more than 10% of Hispanics in the United States older than 20 have been diagnosed with diabetes. At 12.6%, Puerto Ricans have the highest diabetes rate among Hispanics, but Mexican Americans and Cubans are not far behind with 11.9 and 8.2 percent respectively.

Living With Diabetes E-Newsletter

American Diabetes just launched a free community e-newsletter for news and information about living with diabetes.

Today's e-newsletter features an interesting article about lowering your glucose levels with cinnamon, information about managing diabetes with diet and exercise alone, and a delicious Shrimp and Snow Pea recipe.

Sign up for the e-newsletter today to recieve the latest news, information and recipes from American Diabetes.

American Diabetes Launches Free Community Newsletter

American Diabetes recently launched a free community newsletter which includes free diabetic recipes, information about diabetes, news and breakthroughs in the medical field. The newsletter is free and signing up is easy. You can either sign up using the form at the right or on any page on AmericanDiabetes.com. Learn how to avoid foods that are high in triglycerides. Keep yourself in the loop with the latest diabetes news.

Black Tea May Fight Diabetes

According to Science Daily and the Journal of Food Science, black tea may useful in controlling diabetes.

Researchers from the Tianjin Key Laboratory in China studied the polysaccharide levels in black, green and oolong teas. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate which may help retard the absorption of glucose in people with diabetes. The researchers found that the polysaccharides in black tea were the most sucessful at inhibiting glucose and would be the most valuable for diabetes management.

So, drink up! Whether you prefer your black tea hot or iced, with milk or lemon, drink to your health.

Caring for Diabetic Skin

People with diabetes can have complications with their eyes, heart and nerves, but what about the body's largest organ? According to the American Diabetes Association, as many as 1/3 of diabetics develop a skin disorder.

Here are some tips to make sure your skin is getting the care it needs:

• Make sure your skin is always clean and dry. Sprinkle talcum powder in areas where skin touches other skin to reduce chafing, sweating and irritation.
• Avoid hot showers or baths which can dry out the skin. Opt for lukewarm water and use a gentle moisturizing soap followed by moisturizing lotion.
• Promptly wash any cuts or scrapes with soap and water and cover the wound with a gauze pad.
• See your doctor if skin wounds appear serious or don't seem to heal.

Berry Delicious and Nutritious!

According to the US Department of Agriculture, blueberries and blackberries are among the top ten healthiest foods. These berries are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants that have been proven to fight cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

How can berries benefit people with diabetes?

• Berries are all natural and low in fat, calories and carbs but high in fiber and vitamins making them the perfect diabetic snack.
• Blueberries contain myrtillin and pterostilbene which help control and lower blood sugar levels.
• Blueberries also promote circulation and strengthen capillaries and blood vessels to improve blood flow.
• Blueberries are also great for your memory, eyes and heart.
• Blackberries deliver 50% of your daily dose of vitamin C and are high in potassium which helps regulate blood pressure.

With all that goodness, it's a good thing its berry season! Stock up on berries: you can freeze them for later, bake with them, eat them as a snack, blend them into smoothie or toss them in a salad. Visit American Diabetes for Berry Recipe ideas.

Diabetes-Friendly Red, White and Blue Recipes for July 4th

The Fourth of July: A time for fun, fireworks, family, friends and FOOD!

Everyone loves an American themed dessert on July 4th. Don't pass on your favorite red, white and blue treat, make it diabetes-friendly instead.

Here's an Independence Day twist on a simple diabetes-friendly recipe:

1. Begin by preparing American Diabetes' Recipe for Raspberry Mousse.

2. Scoop the prepared mousse into a glass parfait cup, filling it 1/4 of the way.

3. Top with whipped cream until the glass is half full.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the parfait glass is full. You should have four red and white alternating stripes (see image above).

5. Finish with a sprinkle of blueberries on top for a red, white and blue "Americana Parfait."

iPhone App Tracks Carbs, Insulin and Glucose

A new iPhone application from Universal Tracking System allows you to track carbohydrate intake as well as insulin and glucose levels. The App organizes your medical data graphically and by date to make sharing your blood glucose levels with your doctor or family a breeze.

Here is a video demonstrating the features of the App: