Diabetes Guidelines

The following are small “tidbits” of information that are important to our health.  Take a few minutes to read these.  You will probably learn something regarding your health you didn’t already know.  If not, a reminder once in a while is a good thing!

YOUR MOTHER WAS RIGHT!  Eat your fruits and vegetables.  Study after study confirms that fruits and vegetables are vitally important to our diet.  For one thing, that is where most of the natural cancer fighters are found.  That should be enough reason to be sure your plate contains plenty of veggies and fresh fruits!

A 1 1/4-inch cube of cheese equals a serving.

Potassium helps to control water balance in the body.  It helps with regulating nerve impulses, muscle contractions, and this is very important–heart rhythm.  It is very important to keep your potassium level regulated to prevent heart rhythm problems that can be very serious.  Potassium is found in fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, milk and milk products.  Potatoes and bananas are two excellent sources of potassium.

Replace whole milk and cream in your diet with fat-free milk and fat-free or skim evaporated milk.  You will still get the benefits of milk without all the fat.  If it is too hard to make the change suddenly, start by combining fat-free milk with whole milk and gradually reducing the amount of whole while increasing the amount of fat-free.

 When driving to a picnic, put the picnic basket in the car; not in the trunk.  Temperatures inside the trunk will quickly jump to over 150 degrees on a typically hot day.

For a healthier diet, switch from white bread to whole-grain breads, from regular pasta products to whole-grain pastas, eat whole-grain cereals and mix whole-wheat flour with all-purpose flour.  This is especially important for the diabetic.

According to the American Association for Cancer Research, women with diabetes are one-and-one-half times more likely to develop colorectal cancer than women who do not have diabetes.

San Francisco diabetes specialist Dr. Gary Arsham, co-author of the book Diabetes:  A Guide to Living Well, says he finds that for many of his patients a diagnosis of diabetes makes their lives better.  “What?”, you might say.  Once many patients absorb the lifestyle changes that come with a diagnosis of diabetes, they actually admit to being slimmer, happier, and healthier than they were.  “It’s inspiring,” says Dr. Arsham.  “Although diabetes is still a challenge, I see people with the disease becoming so much more alive, energetic, and vibrant than ever before.  They feel better and are motivated to keep on taking good care of themselves.”

Your blood glucose levels before meals should be between 90 and 130.  Two hours after a meal your number should be under 160.

 Here are three ways to lower your risk of getting diabetes.  And believe me, you don’t want it!  1) Watch your weight and keep it within the healthy range.  Around 90% of diabetics are overweight.  2)  Eat less fat.  3) Increase your amount of exercise.  Even a small increase in exercise is beneficial.  Exercise helps your muscles better absorb the sugar in your blood.

Linda Wilson
http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/tidbits-of-information-for-your-health-for-diabetics-and-others-as-well-670731.html

Health Highlights: June 22, 2011
Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

Read more on HealthDay via Yahoo! News

Illness is becoming a huge social and economic issue in the US. There are several reasons why sickness is exploding to epidemic proportion and they are linked to the nutritional deficiencies in our food. Food is the fuel our bodies need to function correctly. What we are doing to our food is destroying its ability to protect us against many diseases including cancer, diabetes and autoimmune disease:

1. “Green Harvesting” which is the picking of our fruits and vegetables before they are ripe on the plant. The plants create vital nutrients in the last 3 days of ripening. Phytonutrients and antioxidants that are absolutely essential to building a strong immune system.

2. Most of the modern methods of processing foods take all the vitamin and minerals out of the foods, leaving them just empty calories.

3. Chemical treatments, such as fungicides and pesticides, remove the nutrients and add toxins to our food.

4. Preparing the food in ways that are unhealthy, such as overcooking and adding large amounts of salt and sugar. When using a microwave, 90% of the nutrients are destroyed.

5. Storing food in Styrofoam. Also, using plastic containers that are not made for use with food. These containers release harmful toxins.

6. Growing produce in soil depleted of essential nutrients.

7. Pollution is causing our watering systems to be full of toxins.

Cancer, diabetes and heart disease, along with 85 autoimmune diseases are on the increase. The statistics for illness is the US speak for themselves:

1 out of 3 will develop cancer. (National Cancer Institute)

1 out of 2 will die of cardiovascular disease. (American Heart Association)

Diabetes is the #6 overall killer in the US, resulting in 70,000 deaths each year.
(Health Education International)

3 out of 4 will develop a degenerative disease. (Center for Disease Control)

More than 196,000 die and 2.2 million are injured each year by adverse reactions to prescription drugs. (Alternative Medicine, March 2000)

60% of the visits to the doctors are the result of stress related conditions.
(Stein, Joel, Just Say Om, Time Magazine Aug 4, 2003)

Now, let’s not just wring our hands and sit by thinking there is nothing we can do. Let’s take responsibility for our health and help our bodies combat the unhealthy environment we now find ourselves living in. Be proactive about your health and educate yourself. No longer is taking supplements an option, but absolutely necessary to your health and well-being. The body needs vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, and phytonutrients to fight against all the pollution and toxins. In addition, we need to build up our immune system to combat the stress in our everyday lives. Find out the Real Health Secrets so that you can survive in this toxic world. Remember, we always have a choice in making decisions concerning our health. So let’s choose life and health. From more information, give me a call at 715-484-2225 or send me an email at RealHealthSecrets@yahoo.com. I look forward to your questions.

Bonnie J Fronek
http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/7-secrets-why-many-diseases-may-be-linked-to-nutritional-deficiencies-70656.html

Mayor, health agencies forge partnership to enhance cardiovascular disease program in Davao
DAVAO CITY, June 8 (PNA) – Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and the Handicap International-Philippines with the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) in the Davao Region and the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) recently inked partnership in a memorandum of agreement (MOA) which signified a take-off of the four-year implementation of the Cardiovascular Disease (CVD …

Read more on Positive News Media

Access Pharmaceuticals Retains eMAX Health to Expand MuGard Distribution Network and Supplement Payer Outreach Programs
Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , a biopharmaceutical company leveraging its proprietary drug-delivery platforms to develop treatments in areas of oncology, diabetes, and RNAi, has signed an agreement with eMAX Health Systems to expand the distribution network and to further support ongoing aggressive third party payer outreach programs for MuGard and advocate for reimbursement among commercial …

Read more on PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance

Asheville-area Health Calendar
The complete Health Calendar is posted online at www.CITIZEN-TIMES.com . Scroll down to Living and click on Health. GRIEF RECOVERY SUPPORT GROUP: 3-4:30 p.m. Sundays, through June 12, Calvary Baptist Church, 531 Haywood Road, Asheville.

Read more on Asheville Citizen-Times

Bellingham health fair focuses on heart and diabetes but has broader appeal, organizers say
BELLINGHAM – A health fair Saturday, May 7, will help those living with diabetes and heart disease b

Read more on The Bellingham Herald

Most of the fad diets focus on low fat, low calorie or high protein diets, all in the hope of controlling yuor weight. However in a recent recommendation by The American Diabetes Association (ADA) was noted in the Medical Nutrition Therapy section dealing with weight loss. Until now, the ADA has not recommend low carbohydrate diets because of lack of sufficient scientific evidence supporting their safety and effectiveness.
 
The 2008 Recommendations include a statement recognizing the increasing evidence that weight-loss plans that restrict carbohydrate or fat calorie intake are equally effective for reducing weight in the short term (up to one year) only, but not over the long term. In addition, there is now evidence that the most important determinant of weight loss is not the composition of the diet, but whether the person can stick with it, and that some individuals are more likely to adhere to a low carbohydrate diet while others may find a low fat calorie-restricted diet easier to follow. However, how long the person can stick to this diet comes into the picture.
 
As it has in the past, the ADA continues to emphasize the importance of sustained, moderate weight loss and increased physical activity for people who are overweight or obese and at risk for diabetes or living with diabetes.
 
Dr Ann Albright, President, Health Care & Education, American Diabetes Association said, “The risks of overweight and obesity are well known. We recognize that people are looking for realistic ways to lose weight. The evidence is clear that both low-carbohydrate and low-fat calorie restricted diets result in similar weight loss at one year. We’re not endorsing either of these weight-loss plans over any other method of losing weight. What we want health care providers to know is that it’s important for patients to choose a plan that works for them, and that the health care team support their patients’ weight loss efforts and provide appropriate monitoring of patients’ health.”
 
Peopl on low carbohydrate diets may replace calories from carbohydrate with fat or protein. High protein diets may also worsen kidney problems. Therefore, it is also recommended that patients with kidney disease be counseled about appropriate intake of protein and that their kidney functions be monitored carefully.
 
Dr Albright further said, “Short-term weight loss is beneficial, but what is most important for health is keeping the weight off long-term. We also want to continue to emphasize the importance of regular physical activity, both to aid weight loss from calorie-restricted diets, and also for the positive health gains associated with exercise that are independent of weight loss.”
 
Being overweight or obese and inactive are major contributing factors to the onset of type 2 diabetes. Overweight and obesity also complicate the treatment of diabetes (both type 1 and type 2) and can contribute to the development of other health problems, such as heart disease and cancer.

Read more on a healthy way to lose weight over the long term at

<a href=”http://bodyhealthadvisor.com/10Minutes2WeightLoss/“>
  10 minutes 2 Weightloss</a>

Katei Sue
http://www.articlesbase.com/weight-loss-articles/latest-evidence-that-diets-dont-work-over-the-long-term-697351.html

Carter County focuses on child programs for Public Health Week
Health Department Director Caroline Hurt said the WIC and TENNderCare programs help families start their children off on the right foot.

Read more on Bristol Herald Courier

When the topic of women’s health care is raised, the first disease that comes to mind is probably breast cancer. But surprisingly, that’s not the number one health care issue confronting women today. In fact, heart disease kills more women each year than all forms of cancer combined. By knowing the most significant risks in women’s health care and what you can do to combat these health care issues, women of all ages can take a proactive approach to leading healthier lives.

The #1 Women’s Health Care Issue: Heart Disease More than 489,000 American women lose their lives each year as a result of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases. In fact, more women than men die from heart disease each year. Until recently, little research focused on women and heart disease, but the good news is that’s no longer the case. From research into the effects of hormone replacement therapy on heart health to studies of how cholesterol-lowering medications work in women, there’s an unprecedented increase in the amount of information available to women working to live with and ward off heart disease.

Experts at the Mayo Clinic offer simple common sense advice to women (and men) in the fight against heart disease: don’t smoke, eat a diet low in fat and rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products, exercise at least 30 to 60 minutes a week, and maintain a healthy weight.

In addition, they encourage women to see their family doctor each year for a physical which includes blood pressure and cholesterol screenings. Studies indicate that there is a 46% increase in stroke risk for women for each 7.5 mm HG increase in their diastolic blood pressure, so monitoring blood pressure and controlling hypertension are vital.

Women who suffer migraines, are pregnant, have atrial fibrillation and those with the auto-immune disease Lupus also appear to run a greater stroke risk. Diabetes is another women’s health care issue with a direct impact on heart health. The American Heart Association notes women with diabetes have a two to six times greater risk of heart disease and heart attack and are at a significantly greater risk of suffering a stroke. All of these risk factors make an annual visit with your doctor one of the best ways women can manage and improve the health of their hearts.

Cancer Concerns: The Second Deadliest Health Care Issue Women Face While breast cancer is often at the top of the list of health care issues for women, several other types of cancers also pose a significant threat to women’s health. In this country, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime according to current data which means that a little more than 2 million women are currently living with breast cancer in the U.S. But melanoma, a form of skin cancer, actually kills more young women than any other cancer according to statistics provided by the Skin Cancer Foundation. In fact, melanoma is the most common form of cancer in women between the ages of 25 and 29 and its incidence has tripled in women under 40 in the last thirty years.

Ovarian cancer is another women’s health care concern. Usually symptomless until it is widespread, this disease is the fourth most frequent cause of death for American women. The American Cancer Society estimates 26,000 new cases of ovarian cancer diagnosed each year. Unfortunately, there are few definitive screening tests that detect this disease, but experts advise a thorough annual gynecological exam and for women to be alert to pelvic pain and pressure, low back discomfort, mild nausea, and an increase in constipation or gas. A serum CA-125 blood test can detect certain forms of ovarian cancer, but the test is not accurate enough to be used as a routine screening tool.

The rate of women suffering from cervical cancer has dropped a great deal over the years, thanks in part to the increase in the number of women who get an annual Pap smear which can indicate the presence of abnormal cells on the cervix. It’s a strong argument for making sure you never skip your Pap smear. Women who have had Human Papillomaviruses (HPVs), herpes simplex virus, those with suppressed immune systems, and those who have had multiple sexual partners run a greater risk of cervical cancer. On the prevention front, a recent trial of a vaccine against cervical cancer was 100% effective in the short term at blocking the disease.

Psychological Well-being: A Growing Health Care Issue for Women In the field of women’s health care, psychological problems, which include eating disorders, depression, and anxiety disorders, affect millions of American women. From coping skills to medications to alternative and complementary medical approaches, there is a growing body of knowledge being brought to bear on this important health care issue.

More than 19 million people in the United States, the greatest percentage being women, live with anxiety disorders that disrupt their lives. The different types of disorders within this group include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and phobias. Treatment options include talk therapy and a wide range of medications that can quell the symptoms of the condition. Many women also combine alternative approaches to treatment such as acupuncture, meditation, and diet modification with traditional forms of treatment.

According to the American Psychological Association, women are almost twice as likely to suffer from major depression as men. In fact, some experts in the field have called depression the most significant mental health risk for women, especially those in their childbearing and rearing years. Studies have found that married women and mothers are especially vulnerable to depression. It’s important for a woman who feels she may be suffering from depression to be carefully evaluated by a physician because the source of the depressive symptoms could be birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, or thyroid disease. Treatment for depression, like most other psychological conditions, includes talk therapy and medications. Some women also find relief in alternative medicine with herbal supplements, meditation, and other complementary techniques.

Though many of the women who struggle with eating disorders are in their teens and twenties, these conditions also affect women at other stages in their lives. Anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating are the most well-known forms of eating disorders. Statistics show that one out of every one hundred girls between the ages of 10 and 20 is anorexic, 4% of college-aged women are bulimic, and 1% of women are binge eaters. The root causes of these diseases include stress at home and at school or work, depression and anxiety, major life changes like a divorce or death, and physical and sexual abuse. Breaking out of the cycle of eating disorders requires a combined approach to this health care issue including psychological treatment, nutrition counseling, and in some cases, hospitalization.

A Holistic Approach to Women’s Health Care As women become more proactive about their health, many seek a holistic approach to improving their well-being and fighting disease. But coordinating information among several health care providers, keeping on top of the latest breakthroughs in health, and finding the United States’ best doctors is a daunting task for any women.

Some are turning to private professional health care advocates, like those available at PinnacleCare, to help them achieve their goal of a whole-woman centered approach to health care issues. From compiling and electronically storing comprehensive medical records to researching treatment options and providing accelerated access to the United States’ top doctors, PinnacleCare’s health advocates make a holistic approach to health care possible.

"I passionately believe that what our PinnacleCare Members experience is the way healthcare ought to be delivered," explains John Hutchins, PinnacleCare’s Managing Director. "The healthcare system has gotten so complex that most people are at a loss to find their way through it without professional guidance and objective counsel."

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R.Gitcher
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