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11-05-05 |
Living Life as a Diabetic Newsletter |
Issue# 8
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Kimberly Advent
Editor
Ashley's Diabetes
Information Center
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Welcome to our Eighth Newsletter.
Thank you to everyone who has written to me with idea's on what they would like to see in this Newsletter. Remember that I put this together for You. So anything you are interested in learning about write to Kimberly and I will research it for you.
I am looking for guest writers. If you are interested in writing a guest column for this Newsletter please contact Kimberly. Let me know what you would like to write about it. Columns must be about 600 words & related to Diabetes. I reserve the right to refuse any article if I don't think it is relevent to the Newsletter.
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This Newsletter is by subscription only! Welcome to your next issue of
"Living your life as a Diabetic NEWSLETTER". You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to it or
wrote to me at one point asking for information on Diabetes or Nutrition. If you are not interested in receiving this Newsletter full of great Diabetes & Nutritional information follow the Unsubscribe instructions at the end of this newsletter.
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- Feature
Article - Are you at Risk for Type Two Diabetes by Kimberly Advent
- A word from our Sponsor
- Guest Article: Diary of a Diabetic by Gary Meade
- Review
of Products or Services
- News on Stem Cell Research
- Sugar Free Recipes
- Kid's Corner
- Diabetic Tips & Tricks
- Subscribe/Unsubscribe
information
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| FEATURE ARTICLE, Are you at risk for Type 2 Diabetes? by Kimberly Advent |
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Are you at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes?
I have often wondered if I am at risk for type 2 Diabetes. Especially as I get older & tend to gain weight easily. So I thought I would write an article that talks about what type 2 Diabetes is & how you know if you are at risk.
Type one Diabetics are no longer producing insulin or producing very small amounts. Type two Diabetics are still producing insulin but, their bodies are not able to use it properly or in some cases the body is not producing enough insulin. The cells in their liver, muscles & fat no longer know what to do with the insulin.
Our bodies need insulin to survive. When you eat a meal the sugar from that food is used as fuel for your body. Insulin is a hormone that is made to take that sugar from your blood stream & distribute it to the cells that need it. If the insulin is not taking that sugar to the cells they become starved for sugar. The high sugar levels in your blood can over time cause damage to your eyes, kidneys, nerves & heart.
Here are the warning signs of Type 2 Diabetes:
Increased thirst, Increased hunger, Fatigue, Increased urination, (especially at night), Weight loss, Blurred vision, Sores that do not heal.
You may not even notice these warning signs because they are so mild or you might not have any at all.
Risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes are:
You are over 45, overweight, have a parent or sibling with Diabetes, Your family background is African American, American Indian, Asian American, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic American/Latino,
Have had gestational diabetes, or gave birth to at least one baby weighing more than 9 pounds., blood pressure is 140/90 or higher, or have been told that You have high blood pressure., cholesterol levels are not normal. Your HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol) is 35 or lower, or Your triglyceride level is 250 or higher, Your inactive & excercize less than 3 times a week.
There are ways to reduce these risk factors. Exercising regularly, reducing fat and calorie intake, and losing weight can all help you reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels also help you stay healthy.
Making big changes in your life are hard. I know. I have decided to lower my carbohydrate level & join a gym. My goal is to lose 10 pounds by Christmas. Then I will set a new goal. Because I want to lose at least 40 pounds by swim suit weather next year. So I can look better & feel healthier. I want to do whatever I can to reduce my risk of Type 2 Diabetes. You should join me & make some changes in your life. We can support each other!!!
If you have some great tips to help others reach their healthier living goals please send them to me at kimberlydadvent@aol.com and I will share them here.
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Guest Article: Diary of a Diabetic by Gary Meade
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Normally I would put a guest article here but, I think from time to time I will share letter's that I receive that I think will inspire others. So if you want to share your story Email it to Me.
Hi my name is Gary Meade I am 35 years of age and I was diagnosed with Diabetes type 1 in March of this year. It was a great relief when I was diagnosed believe it or not mainly because I thought that I had Cancer. I had worked as a singer in the Canary Islands for about 10 years and this is where the road to Diabetes begins. My story is different to most I have read about or heard about. When we worked part of our deal was free drink which as a young man I availed of this service to the max. Things were really exciting back then and when you're the centre of attention every night you begin to think you're invincible. I would drink all night and generally have a good time. As a result of this I began to put on weight but it didn't really bother me at the time. I would eat at about 5 each morning before I went to bed which is never a good time to eat. The weight pilled on and before I knew it I was up to 13 stone this took about a year to put on and one day I looked in the mirror and hated what I saw.
I decided I was going to lose weight by whatever means necessary so I began to eat less. I didn't stop drinking and ate less and less. I began to have problems after 6-7 months of doing this and then things got steadily worse. I began to binge I would eat loads one day and nothing the next. Again this went on for a few more months. I began to suffer with my stomach first with heartburn then it got worse and worse but so did my diet. I would often go a few day's without eating maybe just the bear minimum and nothing more. My lifestyle never changed throughout and I would resort to red bull to give me the energy I needed because I was eating so little.
It got to a stage where I would vomit after each meal and sometimes even when I didn't eat I would vomit anyway. My body got so used to vomiting that it would often just happen without warning. I was also experiencing bowel problems which went on for a long long time. I ended up with an ulcer and when my ulcer cleared I started to eat again normally. A few years later a personal traumatic situation happened in my life and I stopped eating again and started drinking again. I started to deteriorate and felt weak and lethargic. I came home to Ireland and decided I needed a new life but the damage had already been done. I got a day job In Vodafone and started to live a normal life only venturing to the pub at the weekends.
Things seemed to be great until I went on a skiing trip with some friends; I had been losing weight again quiet rapidly ,I had absolutely no appetite which didn't bother me too much as I thought I was having a bit of a relapse from my day's of old. Sometimes it would come and go I would have no appetite one day but I was fine the next but this holiday my appetite had gone completely. We went for a dip in a hot spa one day and all my friends looked worried when I removed my clothes. I could see it in their eyes especially bobby my brother who is into the healthy lifestyle.
Upon my return I felt worse than I had ever felt before really weird I can't explain it. I started to lose interest in everything I was depressed and sad but worst of all I was disappearing. My parents at this stage were very upset and I knew that something was up. I started going to the toilet more often then ever but I put that down to the fact I was drinking more and more water. I would eat some sweets each night and I got this weird kind of dizziness type of feeling again I was putting everything down to something trying to convince myself that it would pass but it didn't. I was falling asleep in work every time I had a break and one day when I put my head in my hands I couldn't lift it back up. I decide to go to the doctor I was terrified because I knew something bad was happening. The Doctor asked me some questions did a urine sample and told me I had Diabetes.
I couldn't believe it but I was happy it was not something more serious. So how has Diabetes affected my life since? I now have a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit not as much veg as I should but I'm getting there. I still go to the pub once a week for a drink but prefer to go to the gym instead. I have a better quality of life. I inject 4 times a day by choice because I still sing some nights during the week.
Diabetes has thought me how to do things moderately. It has not slowed me down and although I feel like a weaker man that is only in my mind and will pass in time. Diabetes is not the death sentence that it once was, and through dedicated people just like Kimberley we have learned how best to treat and control. I am only 35 but I look forward to each day. I brought this illness upon myself through not looking after myself
And it has probably been a blessing for me rather than hindrance.
I am as happy now as I was 10 years ago happier even. The reason I wanted to share my story is that if I can come to terms with this so quickly maybe you can to.
When I first started to inject I was giving myself 14 ml in the morning 12 ml in the afternoon the same in the evening and the same before bed.
Now with the proper diet and exercise I am giving myself 6 ml in the morning 8ml in the afternoon and sometimes nothing depending on the workout at night. Being pro active can only wake things better for you. Although I struggle from time to time I know that with positive mental attitude and heeding the information from my piers such as Kimberly and my nurses at the hospital I know I will lead a normal life.
Gary Meade…..
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| REVIEW:
Products or Services |
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This Newsletter we will be reviewing The Guardian® RT Continuous Glucose Monitoring System.
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Wow this thing is awesome. We are finally moving ahead to the day when our pumps do it all.
The Guardian RT System gives you the power to take action to control your highs and lows, to reduce the risk of complications, and to protect your health today and tomorrow.
The Guardian RT continuous glucose monitoring system allows you to take action to control your glucose levels, reduce your highs and lows — overnight, after meals, anytime — and protect your health… today and tomorrow. The Guardian RT System displays updated glucose readings every five minutes, and alarms when levels become too high or too low. With this information, you can take action to reduce overnight lows… or after-meal highs. Discover the freedom and flexibility of eating when you want, sleeping when you want. The knowledge you gain from the Guardian RT System gives you greater peace of mind and the confidence of knowing that you're managing your diabetes as effectively as possible at all times.
To check it out go to the Minimed web site.
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Posted: 10/28/05
Support for embryonic
stem cell research increasing
By Jeffrey MacDonald
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Religion News Service
WASHINGTON (RNS)--Peggy Willocks describes herself as a
conservative, pro-life Christian in "the heart of the Bible Belt,"
Johnson City, Tenn. So when she considered embryonic stem cell
research two years ago, she found it morally repulsive.
"I was equating it with killing a child," said Willocks, 54, who now
gives talks in support of such research. "I thought of it as
grinding up fetuses and all of that, so I didn't want any part of
it."
Peggy Willocks, who describes herself as a conservative, pro-life
Christian in "the heart of the Bible Belt," argues for stem cell
research while addressing the Washington-based Parkinson's Action
Network, an advocacy group. (Photo courtesy of Parkinson's Action
Network)
What changed Willocks was a personal experience. She watched a
friend and a fellow Parkinson's sufferer get to where she could move
only her eyes for two months before dying. Willocks then went back
to her Bible, recalled God's compassion for the living and
determined that cells in a Petri dish aren't sacred because
Scripture informs her that "life begins in the womb," she said.
Surveys show Willocks is not alone in her reassessment. A Gallup
poll taken in May found 60 percent of Americans say medical research
involving stem cells from human embryos is "morally acceptable."
That's up significantly from May 2002, when 52 percent held that
opinion, according to Gallup research.
December 2004 polling data from the Washington-based Pew Research
Center for the People and the Press points to a similar trend toward
growing support over the past three years.
As with abortion, much hinges on the moral status of biological
material that could one day become a full-fledged human being.
Although the moral concerns echo those of firmly entrenched factions
in the abortion debate, conclusions reached in the stem cell debate
are proving far more tenuous, even for people of faith.
In explaining the discrepancy, observers point to American
pragmatism. Americans tingle at the prospect of curing previously
deadly diseases, they say, and that potential to save lives has a
way of making the protection of embryos a concern of lesser
importance.
"The hope for medical breakthroughs is outweighing the destruction
of embryos," said Carroll Doherty, editor at the Pew Center. "Is
there less concern for the embryo? I don't think so. People are just
feeling it's worth it" to attain a greater good.
Pew polling shows the greatest surge in support among Roman
Catholics and mainline Protestants, especially those who said they
didn't know what to think on the issue two years ago. In March 2002,
for instance, 43 percent of white Catholics said it was more
important to conduct embryonic stem cell research than to protect
embryos. By December 2004, that climbed to 63 percent. Among non-
evangelical Protestants, the percentage prioritizing research grew
from 51 percent to 69 percent over the same period. As Willocks'
change of heart shows, developments close to home can play a huge
role.
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., said he is "adamantly against
abortion," but he became a committed advocate for embryonic stem
cell research after his wife gave birth to triplets last year via in
vitro fertilization. He now believes "a fertilized egg is not a
human being until it is implanted in a mother's womb."
"I hadn't thought it through too much before that," Rohrabacher
said. "I'd have to say my personal experience had a lot to do with
my position. ... To say 'life begins at conception'--we have to
realize that science now has made that phrase obsolete."
Among the general public, Pew polling from last December showed
opposition to embryonic research to be firmest among those who
attend religious services weekly. In that group, 50 percent
prioritized protecting the embryo, versus 38 percent who said doing
research is more important.
Yet even among this group, support for research is growing. In March
2002, only 28 percent had said research is more important than
protecting embryos. Most of the new support in this group, Doherty
said, is coming from those who were undecided in 2002.
News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian
ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern
Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.
Stem Cell updates come from The Stem Cell Information Newsletter run by Steve Meyer.
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Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
1/3 cup margarine, softened
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 egg
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup quick cooking rolled oats
1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 375F.
Beat margarine at medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy; gradually add brown sugar and
beat well. Add egg and vanilla, beating well.
Combine flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually add flour mixture to margarine mixture, mixing well. Stir in
oats and chocolate chips.
Coat cookie sheets with cooking spray. Using 2 teaspoons, drop dough onto cookie sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Portion the dough so that you make about 3 dozen cookies. Bake 10 minutes or until light brown. Store in airtight container. Yields 3 dozen cookies.
Serving size: 2 cookies. Exch:1 starch, 1/2 fat, 1 carbs
Nutr. Info per serv: Cal: 101, Carb: 14g, Prot: 1g, Fat: 4g, Sat. Fat: 1g, Sod 120mg, Fiber: 1g
Recipe brought to you by E-Cookbooks library
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Normally you will find tips that should be helpful to Diabetics. If you have any good tips or tricks please send them to me Kimberly. This issue we are looking at information that was sent to me by readers of this Newsletter.
This was sent to me from a reader. She wanted to share it with all of you.
How Now Brown Cow?
by P.A. Gerschler
1 frosted, chilly mug
8 oz of your favorite diet rootbeer, chilled
1 tablespoon of frozen low fat, sugar free whip cream
Fill frosted mug with diet rootbeer. Add a dollop of the frozen sugar free whip cream. Enjoy!
I thought you might want to try out this Diabetic Radio Station in Michigan. New Upper Michigan Diabetes Radio station
Another of my readers sent this to share:
Hey Kimberly - I enjoy your website and thought I'd pass on a a recipe I've created as my substitute for ice cream shakes. So good, even non-diabetics give it a thumbs up. It requires a "frosty" mug - the plastic glass that has a layer of liquid between the inside and outside, that you freeze in the freezer before using. Before the mug is well frozen before making this.
Add 1/2 to 3/4 cup of mixed frozen, non sweetened berries to a food processer and chop until very fine. Immediately add the fruit to a frosty mug, then add a cup of milk, 3 packets equal and a dash of vanilla. Stir and within a few seconds, the mixture will freeze into a shake. I buy packages of mixed frozen berries that includes strawberries, raspberries and blueberries.
Anything you put in the frozen mug will start to freeze so there may be some other similar recipes that would be great for those who don't like berries.
I have often had people write to me & ask how they can calculate carbs on foods that don't have nutritional info available. I fould this website that has a tool that makes it easy. Check it out Carb Calculator
Update on Diabetes Walk
Just an update to let you know that Ashley & I completed the Walk for a Cure a couple of weeks ago!! What an awesome experience. Between Ashley & I we raised $465.00. Our walking team raised over $1,000.00. Thank you to everyone who supported us with a donation. Let's all hope that money will make our dreams for a cure come true!!
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