Diabetes In Control. A free weekly diabetes newsletter for Medical Professionals. News and information for Medical Professionals.
Letter from the Editor
This week I decided to drive from Atlanta to Lexington, Ky to visit my dad and my sister. As I got into the hills of Northern Tennessee, it was time for lunch, so I got off I-75 at the Rocky Top (yep, the one from the song) and looked for a place to eat. My choices were KFC, Taco Bell, McDonald’s and Burger King. Thinking what would be the healthiest was not on my mind and I decided on KFC. I worked at KFC back in the early 70’s and eating crispy wings with coleslaw was something I loved. That memory came back into my mind, so I pulled in expecting to have that with mashed potatoes and gravy, figuring I could just ride an extra 50 miles this weekend to make up for it.
When I got inside, I was greeted with a pleasant surprise. They had a buffet that was made for a diabetes patient, instead of making the customer a diabetic. The buffet had broiled chicken, collard greens, spinach, pinto beans, cabbage, cole slaw, green beans and salad. All of the food was fresh tasting and was a pleasure to eat. What interested me the most was the number of people who did not touch these veggies, and instead went for big gobs of mashed potatoes smothered in gravy, corn and the over-breaded crispy chicken. Reminds you that most people, when given a healthy alternative at the same price, won’t make a change.
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From dLife.com:”Guitar rock legend Leslie West shares his struggles with diabetes; dLife profiles world-renowned street artist Shepherd Fairey; and Jim Turner returns with more man on the street interviews.” Sundays live online at dLifeTV.com at 7 PM ET, 6 PM CT, and 4 PM PT. Keep up on the latest dLife news at dLifeTV.com.
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We can make a difference!
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Dave Joffe, Editor-in-chief
News Flash #1: FDA Expands Indication of 18 Diabetes Drugs
The FDA has agreed to update the labels of 18 diabetes drugs to indicate that medications containing metformin, such as Actoplus Met, Avandamet, Kazano and Synjardy, can be safely given to patients with mild kidney impairment and to some patients with moderate kidney impairment. The agency also recommended that the glomerular filtration rate estimating equation be used to determine if a patient can receive treatments with metformin. — Medpage Today
This Week's Poll
Which candidate do you feel would be the best for healthcare? Follow the link to share your opinion!
Patient App:
By ProtoGeo
Price: $4.99 iOS
Moves automatically tracks your everyday life and exercise. Just carry your phone in your pocket or bag.
FEATURES:
- Automatic Tracking: Records daily walking, cycling and running.
- Places: Recognizes places in your daily life.
- Storyline: Visualizes your day in an easy-to-read timeline.
- Routes on map: See the paths you took.
- Pedometer: Counts your steps, so you can set simple goals.
- Connected Apps catalog: Use your Moves data with other apps.
BENEFIT:
Seeing your everyday exercise can help you think about your life in a new way. Start with small changes that can lead to a fitter lifestyle and healthier habits.
News Flash #2: Intuity Medical Receives FDA Clearance to Market POGO® Automatic™ Blood Glucose Monitoring System
POGO is the first glucose meter and multi-test cartridge that combines lancing, sample collection and analysis into easy, one-step testing without the need for separate strips and lancets. Click for more information.
Test Your Knowledge
Mr. Huang achieves good glycemic control with his lifestyle modifications, metformin and linagliptin and returns every 6 months for follow-up visits. Three years after initiating this treatment plan, he returns to your clinic for his 6-month check-up. When asked how his diabetes management is going at home, he shares that recently he has been “unable to really get out and get as much exercise as he knows he should due to his creaky, old knees acting up.” His current office A1C is 8.8%. You discuss with him what the next management steps may be to achieve his individualized glycemic goal. A long-acting insulin analogue was added to his treatment.
What is the best advice you can give Mr. Huang regarding exercise?
A. He really needs to find a way to perform 150 min/week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise.
B. At his age, exercise doesn’t make a significant difference any more.
C. He should do his best to be active and get as close to 150 min/week as he can.
D. He should be as physically active as possible and introduce resistance training at least 2 times per week to his routine.
Do you have the right answer? Follow the link to find out!
Fact: Calorie-burning Estimates For Walking are Wrong
Based on their recent analysis, a team of Southern Methodist University researchers argue that the most common equations used to determine the number of calories burned by walking may be wrong. Their conclusion is that these equations underestimate calories burned for several reasons: the equations are based on sample sizes that are too small; these samples included men only; and the equations did not account for the effect of different body sizes/weights on calories expended. According to the study authors, the standard equations underestimate the number of calories burned in 97% of cases they examined. This analysis may have an impact on wearable exercise monitors, some of which use the old equations. SMU quotes study author Weyland as noting: “Burning calories is of major importance to health, fitness and the body’s physiological status. But it hasn’t been really clear just how accurate the existing standards are under level conditions because previous assessments by other researchers were more limited in scope.”
Journal of Applied Physiology Published 1 March 2016 Vol. 120 no. 5, 481-494 DOI: 10.1152
“Good news! You’re likely burning more calories than you thought,” SMU Research Blog, posted March 14th, 2016
While the risk remains low overall, a new large study showed a greater risk for pioglitazone than other diabetes drugs.
Why smokers have an increased risk of type 2.
Study finds hypothyroidism tied to type 2 diabetes.
Fingerprint analysis may offer the possibility to assess diabetes risk through a non-invasive, inexpensive and simple test.
Adiponectin level is a powerful risk marker of incident prediabetes in healthy white and black adults with a parental history of type 2 diabetes, study findings showed.
Adults with prediabetes assigned aloe vera supplements saw improvement in fasting plasma glucose, type 2 patients saw improvement in HbA1c.
Quote of the Week!
“Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go.”
…Hermann Hesse
Diabetes in Control gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the following pharmacy doctoral candidates in the preparation of this week’s newsletter:
Devon Brooks, LECOM College of Pharmacy
Your Friends in Diabetes Care
Steve and Dave
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