In December 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Rebiana, also known as Reb A or rebaudioside A, found in the stevia leaf. Stevia is derived from the leaves of a South American shrub and has been used to sweeten foods in Brazil, Paraguay, Japan, South Korea and China for many centuries. Reb A […]
Don’t you ever wonder which cereal truly helps to lower your cholesterol? Or what exactly “sugar free”, “no sugar”, “net carb”, “low carb” and just plain “regular” means? Why is 2% milk referred to as “reduced fat” when years ago it used to be called “low fat”?
Are we confused or are we made to feel that […]
Sometimes I feel that I am a sales person. Although I was trained to educate my patients to control their diabetes, I find myself using every possible tactic to sell them good health.
“I can’t. I won’t. I shouldn’t. I want to.”
I often wonder what to say to my patients who have a legitimate story about why they won’t, can’t or shouldn’t follow health advice. One example was a man who was a holocaust survivor. When I was recommending to him to curtail his portions, he looked at me […]
"My doctor has told me I have pre-diabetes for the past 25 years. My A1c is 6.6% and I've been on Metformin twice a day". OK?, I think to myself. An abnormally high 3-month blood sugar average (A1c) plus she's on 2 doses of medication - but still the "D" word won't be admitted, only the "PD" word.
Today marks the 21st Annual American Diabetes Alert Day. The statistics are staggering: 8% of our population has diabetes. Approximately 90-95% of those with diabetes have Type 2 and 5-10% have Type 1. However, due to the prevalence of obesity among children, 45% of the youngsters with diabetes have Type 2 (previously known as “adult diabetes”). […]
“America’s Diet: Too Sweet by the Spoonful” was this week’s New York Times Personal Health article by Jane Brody. The bottom line of the article says that we are over-eating sugar and high fructose corn syrup in many, many, of our foods and it is leading to obesity and heart disease.
Believe it or not, studies are finding […]
New day, new patient. Fasting glucose is 124 mg/dL. Triglycerides are 560, HDLs 28. Patient is 50 pounds overweight. Does she or doesn't she? Is it or isn't it? The difference between having NO diabetes, pre-diabetes and diabetes can be so minor, a fine-line.
I can’t decide if my left brain is stronger than my right brain? Yes, I’m a diabetes educator who wants to save everybody from the disease and from themselves. At the same time, I realize that we’re all only human and knowing what we need to do and actually doing what we need to do may […]
Yesterday I had a “young” patient – a mere 46 years (my age!) who was just diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. His doctor called me to make sure I’d be able to see him this week and sent me his blood work. His glucose was 638 mg/dL!! The man stated that he felt extremely weak and […]