African Americans Hit by Lack of Living Kidney Donations

Kidney failure is at an epidemic level in part because it is linked to the obesity epidemic

At every transplant center in the nation, African Americans are the least likely to receive a kidney from a living organ donor.

Research published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases, the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation, used data gathered from all 275 transplant centers in the U.S., and showed that those facilities serving predominantly African American populations had even higher rates of living donor transplant disparities.


Read more Study: African Americans Hit by Lack of Living Kidney Donations

One Cause of Fatty Deposits in the Hearts of Diabetes Patients Settled

Reading newsletter from US Wellness Meats, and ran across this article . . . Charles

The impaired substrate metabolism of diabetes patients is often expressed in an increase in fatty deposits in the cells of the heart muscle. Until now, the exact cause of this was unknown.

Now, researchers at the MedUni Vienna in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism of MedUni Vienna in cooperation with the MR Centre of Excellence Vienna have shown that high blood sugar in combination with high levels of insulin - not an influx of fats - results in such deposits within a few hours. This could form the basis for even more heart-friendly treatments of diabetes patients, especially in the early stages of the disease.

In the study, published in the respected American journal Diabetes, 18 healthy women and men were given a large amount of grape sugar intravenously. "Within as few as six hours, the glucose already caused clearly visible fatty deposits in the heart. The injection of grape sugar, in combination with the release of insulin caused by the sugar, resulted in an overexertion of the heart's metabolism", said the study's director, Michael Krebs of the University Department of Internal Medicine III. This proves that fatty deposits can occur without the direct influx of fats.

This was made visible for the first time using magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy. "This method makes it possible to observe the beating heart, not only as it works, but non-invasively and without ionizing radiation as it metabolizes energy", explained Martin Krssak (University Department of Internal Medicine III).

In Austria alone, around 500,000 people are affected by diabetes. "The first diagnosis usually occurs by accident and on average five years too late", said Krebs. Most patients with diabetes die of heart diseases. "Our data show that the foundation for damage can be laid early on, especially in patients with high blood sugar and hyperinsulinemia - an elevated insulin level - during prediabetes and early diabetes." Building on these new findings in relation to elevated blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and hyperinsulinemia, MedUni Vienna is conducting studies that should help to make the treatment of diabetes patients even more heart-friendly.


Resource:
Medical University of Vienna. "One cause of fatty deposits in the hearts of diabetes patients settled." ScienceDaily, 16 Apr. 2012. Web. 23 May 2012.

Source: US Wellness Meats Newsletter - http://www.grasslandbeef.com/StoreFront.bok

Addressing Health Care Disparities for Racial, Ethnic Minorities Takes Commitment

Racial and ethnic disparities in health care show up in many ways, say West Michigan health care leaders:

• High rates of tuberculosis and alcoholism among American Indian men
• A low rate of health insurance for Latinos, regardless of income level
• A lack of data breaking down health care outcomes for minorities

Addressing health care disparities for racial, ethnic minorities takes community commitment, speakers say | MLive.com

Diabetes Foot Care Video

It is important for you to care for your feet, so a cut or sore doesn't get infected and lead to amputation





More health related videos at www.clearlyhealth.com

Diabetics Must Keep Their Sights on Vision Health

Did you Know? - Diabetics are 25 times more likely to become blind than those who do not have diabetes. And the longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to get a diabetes-related eye disease. Blindness caused by diabetes is highest among African-Americans and Latinos.

If you have diabetes, you should have an overall eye exam each year. You could have a diabetes-related eye disease and not know it.

Diabetes-related eye diseases include:

• retinopathy
• cataract
• vision fluctuation
• double vision

Why should diabetics have an annual eye exam?

Pupil dilation is the only way to tell if you have a diabetes-related eye disease. This exam can find eye problems caused by chronic diseases such as diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure (hypertension).

For some people, an eye disease is one of the first signs that they have diabetes. Many times there are no early warning signs or symptoms. In fact, most people do not realize that their vision is slowly getting worse. Finding and treating diabetes-related eye diseases early can prevent vision loss 95 percent of the time.

Continue Reading

Diabetes Decoder - Restaurant Foods To Avoid

Menus can be daunting . . . 

And when you have a health concern like prediabetes or diabetes, it can be even trickier to pick the right dish.

To help figure out if your dinner out is diabetes friendly, chef Sam Talbot, author of The Sweet Life: Diabetes without Boundaries picks out some common red flag words found on menus.

Here, in his words, 21 menu items to watch out for - and what to eat instead.

Head over to Yahoo Health for the 21 menu items 

Sonas PSA: The Link Between Hearing Loss and Diabetes

Sonus, a national strategic partner of the American Diabetes Association, has launched a PSA initiative to inform individuals of the link between hearing loss and diabetes.



The connection stems from solid research including a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, stating hearing loss is about twice as common in adults with diabetes compared to those who do not have the disease.

Read more at Diabetes Mine - The 411 on Diabetes and Hearing Loss

The New Face of Diabetes Forecast

The June issue of Diabetes Forecast is all new -- with a modern, fresh look and a sharp focus on diabetes. 

Diabetes Forecast, a publication of the American Diabetes Association, is the country's premier magazine about diabetes. 


The new Diabetes Forecast will place a spotlight on the diabetes self-care behaviors: Healthy eating, Physical activity, Medication, Monitoring, Problem solving, Coping and risk reduction. 


From food tips to fitness recommendations to the latest developments in research, Diabetes Forecast provides people living with diabetes, and their families, the information and encouragement needed to lead healthier lives.

Read More The New Face of Diabetes Forecast

Dribble to Stop Diabetes

The NBA encourages basketball fans to live an active, healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about diabetes prevention and management. 

NBA/WNBA FIT, the NBA, WNBA and NBA Development League are teaming up with Sanofi US and the American Diabetes Association in a strategic alliance to create awareness for this disease. We will work to promote the importance of healthy, active lifestyles, as well as diabetes awareness, prevention and management through a new campaign, Dribble to Stop Diabetes.



Ambassadors for the campaign include Carlos Boozer of the Chicago Bulls, Tamika Catchings of the Indiana Fever, NBA Legend Bob Lanier and New Jersey Nets Head Coach Avery Johnson. -- all of whom have personal connections with diabetes either through their own struggle or that of a family member.

More info
http://www.nba.com/nbafit/stopdiabetes/

Pinterest Diabetic Recipes

I've joined Pinterest, and have a great board filled with Diabetic Recipes, along with other useful info.

If you are on Pinterest, please feel free to repin some of the fantastic recipes - food, snacks and a few great tasting smoothies such as this one  - Charles

Peanut Butter Protein-Blast Smoothie 

http://pinterest.com/thomko/diabetic-recipes-info/

Diabetes Quick Fix: Pita Pocket, Tomato and Corn Salsa with Greek Salad

Sounds great! Will definitely try - Charles

Recipe from "Mix'n'Match Meals in Minutes for People with Diabetes" by Linda Gassenheimer,published by the American Diabetes Association.


Get the recipe, and info on the book - 

Diabetes Quick Fix: Pita Pocket, Tomato and Corn Salsa with Greek Salad 

Color Changing Contact Lens Helps Monitor Diabetes

People with diabetes often have to check their blood sugar using a drop of blood squeezed from a finger, thigh or some other part of the body. 

It's an unpleasant part of managing the disease, but when diabetes patients insulin levels falter, their sugar levels don't just rise in the bloodstream. They rise in urine and tears, too. Now, one researcher is working on creating contact lenses that are able to detect unusual blood sugar levels in the eyes, then change color in response.

Chemist Jun Hu at the University of Akron in Ohio is working on a contact lens coated with a chemical that reacts to glucose in the tears that naturally surround the eye. That chemical reaction makes the lens change color. 

Continue Reading - Color-Changing Contact Lens Helps Monitor Diabetes | LiveScience

Garth Sundem: Salk Study: Eating for Eight Hours Reduces Obesity and Diabetes Risk

A Salk Institute Study published in the journal Cell Metabolism, shows that if you condense the total time you eat each day to only eight hours -- say 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. -- you can prevent weight gain and reduce diabetes risk, without changing your total calorie consumption.

Again: if you eat exactly the calories you're currently eating, but squish the total time you eat into eight hours a day, you'll avoid packing on pounds and lower your risk of all sorts of metabolic badness including diabetes.

Full article at Huffington Post by Garth Sundem - Salk Study: Eating for Eight Hours Reduces Obesity and Diabetes Risk

Diabetes Drug Target Identified

Patrick Tso, PhD, professor in the UC Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, has published research on the ability of apoA-IV to reduce blood sugar levels and enhance insulin secretion.

The results appear the week of May 21, 2012, in the online early edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

ApoA-IV is secreted by the small intestine in response to fat absorption. Previous studies have shown apoA-IV to be elevated in humans following gastric bypass -- coinciding with improvement in symptoms for diabetes.

Read more - Diabetes drug target identified

Death Rate Dropping for People With Diabetes

New research shows that people with diabetes are living longer, and this is likely due to heart-healthy habits and tighter control of blood sugar levels. 

Many people may only associate diabetes with vision loss, kidney disease, and limb amputations, but it also increases the risk for heart disease  and stroke. From 1996 to 2006, however, the risk of dying from heart disease and stroke decreased by 40% among people with diabetes.

People with diabetes do die earlier than people without diabetes, but this gap appears to be getting smaller.

Read full article - Death Rate Dropping for People With Diabetes

Royal Caribbean Host Diabetes Cruise

Great News! Have to admit to over eating a bit on a recent 8 day Southern Caribbean cruise earlier this year- Charles


Diabetes Daily Post has signed with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line to conduct an educational and motivational diabetes cruise which sails on January 7, 2013 for a 6 day Caribbean cruise.


Along with Jorge Prada, MD, an Educator and Diabetes Researcher, Susan Sloane Pharmacist and Certified Diabetes Educator, a member of American Diabetes Association board of director and Charles Liu, Clinical Pharmacist with special interest in Type 2 Diabetes. 


The program is tailored to both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Patients for a better management, awareness and course-changing experiences. The participants will receive a broad and comprehensive education including a diabetes-exercise session and on board two-mile fun walk for diabetes to raise funds for the American Diabetes Association.


The Diabetes Daily Post www.diabetesdailypost.com based in Novi, Michigan was created in 2011 to educate, enrich, and expand the knowledge of Diabetes. Its goal is to keep you informed about the latest news and drug innovations, provide health tools for diabetes management, motivate with triumph personal stories and talk about key opinion leaders who have worked on the elusive cure for Diabetes. The Diabetes Daily Post offers its “Living Well” Diabetes Education program both on cruises and in major cities.

Head over to the site to learn more about this cruise, and how to book
http://diabetesdailypost.com/for-immediate-release/

Targeting Diabetes Prevention Among Medicare Beneficiaries

Recent studies might suggest an increase of Type 2 diabetes among children and young adults, but the real low hanging fruit, according to diabetes and policy experts, may be among the Medicare population.

Those 65 and older tend to be a costly population for health care services, according to Matthew Mawby, the government affairs officer for drugmaker Novo Nordisk. Intervention and prevention programs for pre-diabetics could be a more effective means of care, Mawby said during a policy panel on Tuesday.

Continue Reading -

Targeting Diabetes Prevention Among Medicare Beneficiaries – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Possible Diabetes Diagnosis For 53 Million Americans By 2025

A new report in Population Health Management (PHM) discusses the Diabetes 2025 Model for the U.S., its predictions on the increase in the number of people who have diabetes, and how this rise could impact the health care system. 

The researchers explained their predictions for specific states and population subgroups with 15-year projections. Based on the Diabetes 2025 Model, the authors believe that diabetes (mainly type 2) will affect 53.1 million Americans by 2025; it’s an increase of 64 percent from 2010.

Read full article:

Possible Diabetes Diagnosis For 53 Million Americans By 2025 - Health News - redOrbit

World Diabetes Day 2012 Campaign

The World Diabetes Day 2012 campaign marks the fourth year of the five-year theme on “Diabetes education and prevention.”

 The United Nations Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in September 2011 increased the urgency to take action on diabetes. We need to widen awareness of the factors responsible for the global diabetes and NCD epidemic and the solutions that are required to counter it.

 This year’s campaign links the urgent need for action to the protection of the health of our future generations. Focus will be placed on highlighting the importance of education - for health professionals, people with diabetes and people at risk – in reducing the impact of diabetes throughout the world.

Children and young people will be the driving force for the promotion and dissemination of education and prevention messages. We hope these will inspire and engage local communities to recognise the importance of early awareness of the risks and dangers of diabetes.

 The slogan of the campaign is: Diabetes: protect our future Our three key messages are: Access to essential education for everyone The way we live is putting our health at risk People with diabetes face stigma and discrimination A selection of posters has been developed to promote the campaign messages and a special animated video is in development.

Visit www.worlddiabetesday.org to see all the materials currently available.

French Trial Opens in Diabetes Diet Drug Scandal

Lawyers for a French pharmaceutical group suspected in the deaths of at least 500 people argued Monday that a trial against their client should be halted as two separate cases should be rolled into one before the court can proceed.

The trial of Servier on charges of "aggravated deception" opened in Nanterre, west of Paris just as a similar case is being investigated in the French capital over the diabetes drug Mediator.

The company is accused of hiding that Mediator - also used for weight loss - contained an amphetamine called benfluorex, which was taken off the market in 2009 after being found to thicken heart valves.

Read more - French trial opens in diabetes-diet drug scandal - seattlepi.com