Diabetic Health Tips: Beat the Summer Heat

The Summer heat can sunburn, dehydrate and exhaust anyone. But those with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes need to take extra precautions in the Summer in order to regulate glucose levels and prevent dehydration.

Here are some tips to keep you cool in the Summer heat:

1. Hydrate - When heat combines with high glucose levels, dehydration can occur very quickly. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, avoiding juices, sports drinks, sodas, caffeine and alcohol.

2. Avoid the Sun Between 10 AM and 2 PM - When the sun is at its hottest you are more likely to burn, become dehydrated and suffer from heat exhaustion. Exercise in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid over-perspiration which can dehydrate your body.

3. Keep Your Diabetic Testing Supplies Cool - Insulin and Glucose Meters should never be kept in direct sunlight or above room temperature. Keep your testing supplies in a cooler or insulated carrying case.

4. Monitor Your Blood Sugar - Heat causes blood sugar levels to fluctuate unexpectedly. Check your blood sugar at least four times a day and extra carry snacks when leaving home.

Father's Day Gift Ideas for Dads with Diabetes

Father's Day is just around the corner. If your Dad has Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes, why not show how much you care with a gift that celebrates your Diabetic Dad? Here are a few Diabetes friendly gift ideas for Dads:

Low-Carb Gift Basket - Healthy, low-carb snacks are great for diabetics. Well Baskets has an all natural low-carb gift basket filled with vitamin and nutrient rich snacks like smoked salmon, pistachios and artisana nut butter.

Magazine Subscription - Men's Health, Diabetes Forcast and Diabetes Self Management all feature articles, information and news about Diabetes, health, nutrition and fitness.

Donate to the American Diabetes Association - Make a tax-deductable donation to the American Diabetes Association in honor of your Dad. The funds will go toward research to find a cure for Diabetes. Your Dad will also get a personalized e-mail or card with your message to announce your donation.

Cook a Diabetes Friendly Meal - Invite your Dad over for a Diabetes friendly meal. There are plenty of delicious recipes and ideas from American Diabetes. Whether your Dad loves Mexican, Italian, Seafood or American cuisine, American Diabetes has recipes for Appetizers, Entrees, Salads and even Desserts.

Remember - Father's Day is Sunday, June 21st!

New Treatments Offer Hope for Type 2 Diabetes

According to a recent article, there are new treatments that offer hope for those with Type 2 Diabetes.

In this article, new medications and types of insulin continue to come forward each year. There are types of insulin ranging from rapid-acting to short-acting to long-acting. Multiple categories of diabetes pills are helpful ranging from sulfonylureas, biguanides, thiazolidinediones, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, and meglitinides. All work in different ways to lower blood sugar, stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin, improve insulin's effectiveness, or block enzymes that help digest starches to slow the rise in blood sugar.

In the past two to four years, two treatments have emerged as growing choices among diabetic patients because they show the ability to effectively control diabetes with little risk of weight gain, a side effect for many patients.

Can Selenium Really Prevent Type 2 Diabetes?

A recent article on type 2 diabetes reported that Selenium, an antioxidant included in multivitamin tablets thought to have a possible protective effect against the development of type 2 diabetes, may actually increase the risk of developing the disease, an analysis by researchers at the University at Buffalo has shown.

Results of a randomized clinical trial using 200 micrograms of selenium alone showed that 55 percent more cases of type 2 diabetes developed among participants randomized to receive selenium than in those who received a placebo pill.

"Among participants taking selenium supplementation, those who had the highest levels of selenium in their circulation at the beginning of the study had the highest risk of developing type 2 diabetes over the average 7.7 years of follow-up," he said, "and the increase in risk is unlikely to be a result of chance."However, in the general population, very few people, if any, take selenium supplements only, every day, for nearly eight years, so we can't be sure that these findings apply to the public at large.

For more information about diabetes and to see if you or someone you know may qualify for free diabetic supplies, vist www.AmericanDiabetes.com.