Diabetes Self-Management September - October 2017

The time for football, foliage and—most importantly—flavorful fall foods has arrived. Dear Readers, INSTEAD OF DWELLING on summer coming to an end, let’s celebrate the start of autumn! The time for football, foliage and—most importantly—flavorful fall foods has arrived, and this issue of Diabetes Self-Management is packed with seasonal recipes that feature everything from comforting soups to fun tailgating fare. And we couldn’t forget the apples and gourds that are so plentiful this time of year. Check out Diabetic Cooking for delicious recipes sure to satisfy whatever craving takes hold. For all you Top Chef fans—as well as Southern cooking enthusiasts—Julia Aparicio interviewed Sam Talbot, who found out he had Type 1 diabetes at 12 years old and used his early love of food to help manage his diagnosis, which…

It’s not difficult to find out what your blood sugar level is right now. But what if it was possible to find out what it will be in the future? A new app developed by researchers at Columbia University just might make that possibility a reality. The scientists created a personalized algorithm that predicts how particular foods will affect a person’s blood sugar levels. The algorithm, which is integrated into an app called Glucoracle, uses data assimilation. That means the algorithm creates a mathematical profile of a person’s response to glucose and regularly updates that profile as it collects information on how foods affect that individual’s blood sugar levels. To use the app, the individual uploads fingerstick blood measurements and a rough estimate of the nutritional content of an upcoming…

Being diagnosed with diabetes is a challenge, but unfortunately for some people, diabetes is not the only health concern they have to confront. A new study from the Czech Republic indicates that prediabetes or diabetes occurs more often in patients who have pancreatic cancer than it does in the general population. The researchers looked at three groups of people. The first group, consisting of 60 adults with a mean age of 67, had both pancreatic cancer and diabetes. The second group, consisting of 34 adults with a mean age of 63, had Type 2 diabetes but no cancer. The third group included 30 healthy controls with a mean age of 63. Among the study subjects with pancreatic cancer, 44 had new-onset diabetes and 16 had long-term diabetes, suggesting to the…

1. What percentage of people with diabetes develop foot ulcers at least once? A. 1%–15% B. 15%–25% C. 25%–40% D. 40%–55% 2. Seeking immediate medical attention can decrease the risk of unwanted complications of foot ulcers, including amputations, by what percentage? A. 50% B. 67% C. 78% D. 85% 3. Which of the following diabetes complications increases the risk for foot ulcers? More than one answer may be correct. A. Poor circulation B. Neuropathy C. Improperly fitting shoes D. Bunions or hammertoes 4. What percentage of people with diabetic foot ulcers also have diabetic neuropathy? A. 20% B. 50% C. 75% D. 80% 5. In addition to adopting a diabetic diet, people with diabetes should also eat a diet low in ___________ to reduce risk for diabetic foot…

Things are not easy for youngsters with Type 1 diabetes, but researchers are steadily learning more about ways that help them cope. A new international study has discovered a strong relationship between quality of life and blood sugar control in young Type 1 diabetes patients. The study involved 5,887 young people in 20 countries across five continents. The patients were divided into three groups by age—6 to 12, 13 to 18 and 19 to 25. The patients were assessed in three ways: by administering HbA1c blood glucose tests (this test measures a person’s average blood sugar levels over the previous three months), having the patients complete a questionnaire and conducting personal interviews about family-related matters. The researchers found a strong link between lower HbA1c levels and higher quality-of-life scores. This…

OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS A type of dietary fat thought to help prevent atherosclerosis (clogging of the arteries). Research suggests that diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help prevent heart disease in several ways. They can help reduce blood triglyceride levels, decrease the risk of cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), slow the buildup of atherosclerotic plaque in the arteries and lower blood pressure. Omega-3 fatty acids may also have benefits for cancer, depression, inflammation and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), although scientific evidence has not been conclusive. The three types of omega-3 fatty acids are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docahexaenoic acid (DHA). Good sources of ALA include walnuts, flaxseed, canola oil, soy beans and tofu. Good sources of EPA and DHA include oils from fatty fishes such as…