Letter from the Editor #509

Last week we had a commentary from one of our feature writers, Sheri Colberg, Ph.D., FACSM, on the program with Dr. Mehmet Oz and Oprah Winfrey about diabetes. At first I thought that it would blow over and patients would forget what they had heard, but this week in a class I was teaching, the information again reared its ugly head. As I was discussing carbohydrates and the perils of “sugar free food” an older woman interrupted me. She said that I was wrong because she had seen a show on diabetes on Oprah and “sugar caused diabetes and if she stopped eating it her diabetes would go away.” Before I could say a word two other patients chimed in and told me I was wasting their time because according to Dr. Oz once you have diabetes you are doomed.

Many of you wrote to me about your experiences with patients after the show. Theresa Garnero, APRN, BC-ADM, MSN, CDE, the author of “Your First Year With Diabetes: What to Do, Month by Month” which won the 2009 National Health Information Silver Award has taken these comments and put them together for you to read and be ready to react to. Check it out by reading “Oprah’s Outpouring: A Bittersweet Commentary on Responses to Her Diabetes Show.”

Finally a new book hit the stores a few weeks ago. “The Serotonin Power Diet” by Judith Wurtman, PhD, and Nina Frusztajer, MD. The diet targets emotional overeating, medication-associated weight gain, and post-low-carb diet bingeing. It solves the issues by increasing the production of a brain chemical called serotonin which controls your appetite and emotional well-being. We wondered if this diet would be good for your patients with diabetes and so our current Ambulatory Care Intern, Timothy L. McCoy, Pharm.D. Candidate, Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy, read the book and has an opinion for you.

Announcements:

Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD): Sacramento, CA, February 27
The TCOYD team will be in Sacramento, California, at the Sacramento Convention Center for the TCOYD Conference and Health Fair, February 27. TCOYD is a not for profit organization dedicated to informing and empowering people with diabetes to become actively involved in their own health care. For more 2010 upcoming conference details, please go to TCOYD.org.

dLife.com: February 28, 7PM ET on CNBC
In this “Best of dLife” special, dLife revisits those people with diabetes who have inspired us the most by their achievements and attitudes. From a 96-year-old pole vaulter to a prima ballerina, catch up with audience favorites. Make the most of your dLife and don’t miss an episode: Sundays on CNBC at 7 PM ET, 6 PM CT, and 4 PM PT. Catch up on dLife.com.

New Poll!

Please answer this week’s poll question (in the column to the right):
Do you intend to use the A1c test to diagnosis diabetes and pre-diabetes for your patients?

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We can make a difference!

 

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Check out this week’s “Test Your Diabetes Knowledge” question!

Dave Joffe, Editor-in-chief