A Recipe For Soul Food Sanity

"Good Lord, good meat, c'mon, let's eat!"

That abbreviated grace uttered over a plate of soul food is one of the few laugh lines from New York filmmaker Byron Hurt's (shown at left) new documentary, Soul Food Junkies. 

Scheduled to screen Sunday at the BlackStar Film Festival in Philadelphia, Soul Food Junkies is a thoughtful, historical, and personal examination of the unhealthy effects of African American eating habits.

Nationally, nearly half of all African Americans suffer from high blood pressure. In Philadelphia, 20% suffer from Type 2 diabetes. Black children are 15% more likely to be obese than white children.

Mayor Nutter, in his ongoing crusade to make Philadelphia a safer, greener, more active, and healthier place to live, twice proposed a two-cent-an-ounce tax on sugar-sweetened beverages - only to get gulped down by Big Soda.

Read more at philly.com

Rockefeller: Bill Extends Diabetes Care

Medicare would cover National Diabetes Prevention Program

A U.S. senator is working on a bill to combat diabetes by making more West Virginians eligible for preventive care by expanding the National Diabetes Prevention Program to those enrolled in Medicare.

Study shows the change will improve care and reduce health care costs, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., said.

The Medicare Diabetes Prevention Act will help seniors and individuals with disabilities prevent type 2 diabetes by allowing Medicare to implement the National Diabetes Prevention Program through community settings like the YMCA, local health departments, community health centers, and local churches reaching people with Medicare wherever they live.

Head over to News and Sentinel to read full article

Women, Blacks and Hispanics Diabetes Linked to Plastic Chemicals

Do you know? Phthalates are added to some cosmetics, perfumes and other personal care products to stabilize colors and fragrances. 

A wide variety of household goods rely on phthalates, including vinyl flooring, adhesives, shower curtains and cosmetics. More than 75% of Americans have phthalates in their urine.

A group of chemicals found in household plastics and medical supplies is linked to higher rates of diabetes in women  - up to double the rate for women with the highest levels, according to new research led by Harvard scientists.

Blacks and Mexican Americans and women living in poverty are exposed to the highest levels of some of these compounds, called phthalates, the scientists reported.

Until now, most phthalate research has focused on reproductive consequences because these compounds seem to disrupt male hormones. Boys exposed to phthalates in the womb had signs of feminized genitalia, which may lead to fertility problems. Researchers also have found neurological effects, including reduced IQs and attention problems in boys.

Black women in the study had more than double the concentrations of DEP, the phthalate in cosmetics, and DBP, the phthalate in adhesives and lacquers that was linked to a double rate of diabetes, when compared with white women.

Mexican-American women had 75% higher concentrations of DEP. Poor women had up to 78% higher levels of BBP - the phthalate in vinyl flooring that was associated with a double rate of diabetes  - than women living above poverty level.

This article has been condensed - Read full article here

Type 2 Diabetes - Carb Counting When Eating Out

Type 2 Diabetes - Carb Counting When Eating Out
By Beverleigh H Piepers

Carb counting is a tool for managing blood sugar levels by calculating the exact amount of carbohydrates you are eating at each meal and snack. In is used intensely by many people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes to set the appropriate insulin doses for the food they eat.

To so many diabetics, it seems like all they do is count carbs. After awhile though, counting carbs at home becomes relatively easy. With practice a diabetic can become pretty accurate because they cook meals in the same manner every time. But what about when you go out to eat? Since you aren't familiar with the cook, and they don't know you are a diabetic, there are many variables that can mess up your eating plan and blood sugar.

By knowing how to count carbs you won't have to give up your option of eating out.

No matter where you go out to eat, you still have to know exactly how many carbs you have to work with. Your doctor or a dietitian can help you figure out this number. Since there are many factors that come into play as far as what you will have at your disposal, it's best to be accurate. Never guess it on your own.

Armed with your number, you next need to find out exactly how many carbs are in the food you are interested in eating. When ordering your meal, be sure to ask specific questions as to how it is being prepared. Don't assume any ingredient: verify it through the server. One mistake could mean a significant difference in your total carb count.

If you are not completely sure how many carbs are in certain foods, take along a carb counter which lists out certain foods and their carb content. It's better to use reliable information than to try to rely on just your memory or guesswork.

Even if you are sure of the carb content of foods, you still have another problem: portion size. Restaurants are notorious for dishing out much more than a normal portion size in their meals. Eating it simply because it is put in front of you is a recipe for disaster. This means you have to be able to accurately measure out what a portion size should be.

If you aren't sure of exactly how big your meal is, and it isn't listed in the menu, ask your server. Your best bet is to separate your meal into one serving as soon as it hits the table and package the difference up to go. Don't leave all of it on your plate and rely on your willpower. If you tempt fate, you will end up looking at an empty plate and regretting the fact you didn't split up the food when you had the chance.

How do you start to create a healthy lifestyle today so you can avoid blood sugar swings?
For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beverleigh_H_Piepers
http://EzineArticles.com/?Type-2-Diabetes---Carb-Counting-When-Eating-Out&id=7185736

Diabetes Friendly Rhubarb & Strawberry Lemonade

Click on pic and visit Pinterest, then click pic again for recipe - very tasty!!

Source: greenkitchenstories.com via CE on Pinterest

Your Diabetes ABCs.

A stands for A1C test. This test measures your average blood glucose levels for the past three months. Your doctor should test your A1C at least twice a year. For most people with diabetes, the goal is to have an A1C “score” of less than 7.

B stands for blood pressure, a measurement of how hard your heart needs to work to keep your blood circulating. For most people with diabetes, the goal is to keep blood pressure below 130/80.

C stands for cholesterol, a fat found in your blood. There are two kinds of cholesterol: LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, and HDL, or “good” cholesterol. For most people with diabetes, the goal is to keep: LDL cholesterol below 100.
HDL cholesterol above 40 (HDL for men > 40 and for women > 50).

Ask your doctor what you can do to reach your targets for A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

Source: National Diabetes Education Program

Women With Diabetes May Have More Problems With Sex

 Middle-aged and older women with diabetes are less satisfied with their sex lives than are women without the blood sugar disease, U.S. government-funded research suggests.

While diabetic men have long been known to be extra prone to sexual problems, particularly impotence, less is known about the intimate lives of women with the disease.

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Study Find Older Americans See Better Today

Improved cataract surgery techniques, less smoking may be reasons why

Older Americans see better than their parents did in old age, according to a new study that finds visual impairment among the U.S. elderly has declined 58% since the 1980s.

Improved techniques in cataract surgery and lower rates of macular degeneration may be two of the main reasons for the trend, say researchers from Northwestern University.

"From 1984 until 2010, the decrease in visual impairment in those 65 and older was highly statistically significant," said the study's first author, Dr. Angelo Tanna, vice chairman of ophthalmology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and an attending physician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Finish reading article here

Children and Diabetes Treatment

Children and Diabetes Treatment
By Don A Mann

The Study of Diabetes in Children


SEARCH is a study of diabetes in children that was done from 2002 to 2007. Over 9.000 children across the nation participated in the study. Participants were all diabetics under the age of 20. SEARCH for Diabetes in Children was conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in conjunction with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

There were several goals of SEARCH. Some of the more noted goals were to determine the number of diabetic children and how diabetes in children was portioned according to ethnicity. Additionally, SEARCH wanted to identify how diabetes was affecting children in their daily lives, how the different types of treatments used were working and to identify common complications.

Many interesting statistics arose for the data collected that give doctors, scientists and pharmaceutical companies a better understanding of diabetes in children. The study showed that 215,000 children under twenty years of age have been diagnosed with diabetes. The mountain of data collected through this study helps researchers and health providers a great deal of beneficial knowledge for managing diabetes.

Help Prevent Type 2 in Children


While Type 1 diabetes is not preventable at the current time, Type 2 diabetes can be prevented in both children and adults. In terms of preventing diabetes in children, the job is up to parents and caregivers.

Those who plan a child's meal are responsible for providing a nutritionally balanced and beneficial diet for the child. Children all too often want what tastes good over what is good for them. It's up to parents caregivers to be mindful of the types of foods the child eats and the amounts of each type of food they eat.

Exercise is another way of warding off Type 2 diabetes and parents are wise to insisted on physical play time. Children should be encouraged to join in physical activities such as sports, riding bikes or swimming. Keeping a child's weight down will help prevent Type 2 diabetes and the child will be happier.

Treating Gestational Diabetic Women


While pregnancy is typically a joyous time, there are complications that can arise. You should be checked for gestational diabetes between your 6th and 7th month of pregnancy. Treating gestational diabetes will prevent you and the baby from experiencing problems for the duration of the pregnancy.

The first step in treating gestational diabetes is controlling your diet. Most women are given a 2,200 to 2,500 calorie diet that contains proper nutrition to sustain you and your growing baby. Your healthcare professional will help you balance your diet between protein, fat, and carbohydrates.

Exercise is another step in treating this disease. It uses up extra glucose in the body and also combats insomnia, constipation, and depression, conditions that can occur during pregnancy. Not all exercise is safe for expectant mothers, so get clearance from your doctor if you aren't sure if your regimen is safe.

If diet and exercise aren't working for you, insulin can be used to treat gestational diabetes. If your doctor determines you need medication, they can prescribe insulin pills or injections to keep glucose levels under control.

Check out these Diabetes Treatment ideas.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Don_A_Mann
http://EzineArticles.com/?Children-and-Diabetes-Treatment&id=7187877

The 411 on Diabetes Plus Skin Conditions

Despite the fact that your skin is on the outside, it is your largest organ and as we’ve discussed in previous editions in our 411 on Diabetes Complications series, diabetes can affect every organ in (or on!) your body. This goes for your skin too!

With the summer heat barreling down, more of us are exposing our skin. We all know that we need to protect our skin from the sun by using sunscreen, but did you know there are other ways to keep your skin healthy from the damages of diabetes?

According to the ADA, about a third of people with diabetes will have some kind of skin condition. Fortunately, most of them are easily detectable and treatable if caught early.

Skin Complications: What Are They? 
Read article - The 411 on Diabetes + Skin Conditions : DiabetesMine: the all things diabetes blog

Chaka Kahn Goes Vegan To Cure Type 2 Diabetes And High Blood Pressure

Legendary singer Chaka Kahn has been turning heads lately after dropping 60 pounds. 

Her secret?  In a recent interview she says she "went off meat, became vegan, stopped all the dairy, stopped all the meat."

Diagnosed with Type-2 Diabetes and high blood pressure, Kahn was put on medication last year which she had to take -- until she decided to change her diet.  She recently adopted her granddaughter and realized she had to be here for the girl, and said this was her main influence to lose weight and get healthy -- "so I can be here for her."

Kahn undertook a liquid diet for four months  - "My Vitamix was my best friend" - eating green smoothies and protein smoothies. Then she went vegan.

Today, 60 pounds lighter, she is off all medication and no longer has high blood pressure of Type-2 Diabetes.

No great surprise here.  More and more people are discovering you can reverse serious disease and heal yourself by going low-fat plant-based.

Article Source: vegsource.com

Racial Make-Up of Community Impacts Obesity Risk

The racial and ethnic composition of a community is associated with the obesity risk of individuals living within the community, according to a study led by researchers at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.


 The findings, published recently in the American Journal of Public Health, may help explain disparities in obesity rates among racial groups and point to some of the environmental factors that may contribute to obesity in the United States.

Read full article at link below
Racial Make-Up of Community Impacts Obesity Risk - DiabetesCare.Net

China Battles Rising Teen Obesity, Diabetes

The opening up of China has produced many benefits for the people of the world's most populous country, but there are challenges too.

Growing prosperity has led to more fatty processed foods entering the Chinese diet, and coupled with less fresh food and children who don't exercise, the result is an obesity epidemic.

A new study has uncovered evidence to show that the number of Chinese teenagers with diabetes is nearly four times higher than among their peers in the United States.

Full article at Radio Australia

Diabetic Friendly Smoothie

Make-Ahead Oatmeal Smoothies


Healthy & delicious with grab-and-go convenience; 6 varieties, plus how to invent your own


Click on the pic for this delicious recipe!

Source: theyummylife.com via CE on Pinterest

Type One Diabetes Reversed with Stem Cells from Cord Blood

Stem cells from cord blood "re-taught" the immune system T-cells in type one diabetics so that their pancrei began to produce insulin, thereby reducing the amount of insulin they need to inject. Dr. Yong Zhao from the University of Illinois at Chicago published these findings online in an open access journal.


The researchers described a procedure that they called "Stem Cell Educator Therapy" where the diabetic patient's blood is circulated through a closed-loop system. The system separates lymphocytes (a class of immune cells that includes T cells) from the whole blood and cultures them with cord blood cells from healthy donors before returning the "re-educated" lymphocytes to the patient's blood stream.


Read full article

NBA Great Earl Monroe Raising Diabetes Awareness

Earl Monroe will never forget that day in 1998.

The NBA Hall of Famer and South Philadelphia native hadn't been feeling well for a few months. He was sweating while sitting on the couch in his air-conditioned house. He was hungry even after eating big meals.

So after urging from friends and family, Monroe met with his doctor, who gave Monroe what he took to be a death sentence - 18 years after dazzling crowds with his ballhandling, Monroe was told he had Type 2 diabetes.

Read more at Philly.com Sports 
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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