Battling For Health

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Walk to Fight Diabetes!! The American Diabetes Society’s Step Out!

Check out the video here.

Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes, formerly America’s Walk for Diabetes, is about changing the face of diabetes in our country—by raising funds to help find a cure and by walking a few miles to bring a greater awareness to this devastating disease.

Step Out is a whirlwind day packed with energy, fun, support for others and a perfect amount of selfless dedication. Anyone can take part in Step Out—your participation isn’t measured by your dexterity or the speed you walk, but by the level of your enthusiasm and your commitment to ending diabetes.

Gather your friends and family to walk and raise funds for Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes in your city. Together, we can crush this epidemic.

Step Out. Start or Join A Team. Sponsor a Walker. Be a Volunteer.

By taking part in this event, you’ll be stepping out onto the streets to help change this growing epidemic. Here are a few more reasons you should take pride in participating in Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes:

• About one in 10 American adults now has diabetes.
• Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death by disease in the U.S.
• One out of every three Americans born today will develop diabetes in their lifetime if present trends continue.
• Nearly 5.7 million people (nearly one-quarter) of the 23.6 million children and adults in the U.S. living with diabetes are unaware that they have the disease.

Go to the site and find a walk near you.

Here’s the walks coming to my area:

Not only is stepping out a great initiative from the American Diabetes Association but it is a great way to get moving and get in shape.

WebMD released an articles on diabetes and weight loss today: Weight Loss Helps Diabetes Control:Study: Type 2 Diabetes Patients Who Lost Weight Soon After Diagnosis Had Better Control. ” People diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who lose excess weight soon after their diagnosis are up to twice as likely to maintain control of their disease than those who don’t lose weight or who gain weight, according to a new study.”

How about this recent article in the July 28, Guardian.com.uk? Walking for 45 minutes helps to control diabetes. “People with diabetes can limit the impact of the condition simply by walking for an extra 45 minutes a day, according to scientists who found exercise helped to keep blood sugar levels in check.”

Ever wonder how many calories you burn walking? Check out the calories burned estimator

Are you ready to Step Out?

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It’s amazing what can spark a topic for a blog post.

Here’s today’s inspiration. Dove Rich Dark Chocolate.

I actually am facing down the large tablet bar myself.

But do you see that little label with the heart? NATURAL SOURCE OF COCOA FLAVANOLS.

“Enjoy the rich dark taste of DOVE® Dark Chocolate, now in a large tablet bar. DOVE® Dark Chocolate Large Bars are perfect for multiple occasions, including everyday indulgence, baking/cooking, dessert and “anywhere” enjoyment.”

Nutritional Information
Serving Size: 1/3 bar
Servings Per Container: 3

Calories 170
Calories from Fat 100

Total Fat: 11g | % Daily Value: 17%
Saturated Fat: 6 g | % Daily Value: 30%
Trans Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 5 mg | % Daily Value: 2%

Now 170 calories isn’t too bad. Okay it’s not as good as eating blueberries…but turns out that dark chocolate is good for you.

Raise your hand if you remember what flavanols are!

Flavanols are a class of flavonoids…which we discussed in What’s an Antioxidant? on Battling Cancer.

Cocoa is the ingredient in chocolate that hold the flavanol key to antioxidant activity of free radicals.

Basically an antioxidant is capable of counteracting the normal damaging effects of oxidation by neutralizing free radicals in the body. The balance of antioxidants to oxidants is disturbed by poor diet, smoking, disease, normal aging, x-rays and many other things. When an antioxidant neutralizes a free radical, the antioxidant becomes oxidized and the body needs to be resupplied with antioxidants.

Let’s translate that to: eat more dark chocolate. (I have half a bar left)

Sure there are other ways to consume flavanols (like tea ) but what could be more decadent than a finely processed dark chocolate bar? (The amount of flavanols depends on the processing, so avoid cheap chocolate.)

What about chocolate and cancer?

An interesting clinical trial on dark chocolate is found on WebMD. Studies are now showing the impact on flavonoids in various types of cancer, such as prostrate and ovarian cancer as noted at ScienceDaily.

Not only are flavanols (the kind found in cocoa) beneficial as antioxidants but new research shows they may be potent as anti-tumor agents. Check out this report from Georgetown University Medical Center where researchers are studying “a new synthetic version of natural procyanidins, a class of flavanols, created and patented by the confectionery company, Mars Incorporated.” Yes we did discuss this before on Battling Cancer, but I’m a chocoholic (dark only) so it was worth returning to.

If you aren’t convinced that you should head straight for your grocery store and a large Dove bar, check out these chocolate headlines:

Science Daily, February 22, 2007. Boosting Brain Power — With Chocolate. “A study led by Professor Ian Macdonald found that consumption of a cocoa drink rich in flavanols — a key ingredient of dark chocolate — boosts blood flow to key areas of the brain for two to three hours.”

Nutragredients . com, February 10, 2006. Cocoa reduces risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, says study “If cocoa retains its flavanols and is proved to have pre-longed health benefits, the ingredient could be used as a method to reduce cardiovascular disease and cancer.”

By the way…a post script…

Godiva is having a chocolate sale right now! And if you post a comment on today’s blog ( before Friday night’s blog goes up) I will put you in a drawing for some free chocolate from Godiva. If you don’t– I get to keep it.

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Hola! From Chile’

Yes, I am sharing this Recipe for Life all the way from South America, at least I was there when I first wrote it, but technology (or lack thereof), made it impossible for me to post it. The recipe doesn’t have a South American flair, but it DOES have amazing flavor and of course, its’ healthy, inexpensive and quite simple. Why, because that’s the prerequisite for all the recipes that you find here on Thursdays. It’s a recipe for life. Your hectic life as a caregiver.

You may have a kazillion zucchini from your summer garden, if not, be sure you can find them very easily and they are quite inexpensive this time of year. So, enjoy!

Zucchini–The health benefits of zucchini are many. It contains vitamin C and lutein. A great combo for antioxidants and eye health. In addition, zucchini is very low in calories and high in water content. It also contains a decent amount of folate, potassium and vitamin A. (source: www.organicfood.com.au)

Zucchini Grinders

Ingredients

1. 1-2 Tablespoons olive oil
2. 2 medium zucchini, cubed
3. 1 small sweet onion chopped
4. 2 small cloves garlic chopped
5. 1 pinch red pepper flakes
6. salt to taste
7. 1 Tablespoon dried or fresh basil (or to taste)
8. 1 cup red sauce (spaghetti or marinara)
9. 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or soy substitute if cheese is an issue for you)
10. 4 (6 inch) French or Italian sandwich rolls, split

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Lightly saute’ the zucchini, onions and garlic until browned and slightly tender. Season with red pepper flakes, salt and basil
4. and stir in the marinara sauce.
5. Cook and stir until sauce is heated.
6. Spoon a generous amount of the zucchini mixture into each sandwich roll.
7. Top with a handful of shredded mozzarella.
8. Close the rolls, and wrap individually in aluminum foil
9. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until bread is heated through, and cheese is melted.

Remove from oven and ENJOY!

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Stand Up to Cancer is an International Non Profit dedicated to curing cancer…NOW!

Let me introduce you to some of the facets of this exciting organization and then go to the site and check it out yourself!

• MISSION STATEMENT (in part)

“Cancer takes one person every minute. One life in a moment. They are our brothers, our sisters, our fathers and mothers, our husbands and wives, our best friends, our children, ourselves. Every day in America 1500 people die and yet the means to save them are literally within our reach. To wait any longer for someone else to save our lives and the lives of those we love is unforgivable.

Inspired to act by our own personal experiences with cancer, we recognize that we can no longer rely on the current system alone to give us the breakthroughs we need. So, we are calling on the public to help take matters into our own hands, investing in a revolution that will change the way scientist and clinicians work to understand and treat these diseases. Stand Up To Cancer is more than a rallying cry. It is a galvanizing force created to urgently move cancer research forward.

This is where the end of cancer begins: when we unite in one unstoppable movement and Stand Up To Cancer.”

• Launch A Star

For a donation of $1 or more, you can add a star to the Constellation in the name of someone you love: a family member, a co-worker, a friend.

Check out Launch a Star!

• Register at SU2C! Join a Team!

Teams are fund raising groups. I joined the New York Yankees. Let me know which team you join or created yourself.

• The Magazine

Check out these lead stories in the SU2C Magazine:

Hospice: A Calling

Blinders Off: Comedian Robert Schimmel

Caregiver Tips: The Big Balancing Act

Genomics and the Future of Cancer Treatment

• The Show!

TUNE IN SEPTEMBER 5th at 8PM

On Friday evening, September 5, 2008, the networks will donate one hour of primetime for a history-making interactive television special, uniting the nation as we Stand Up To Cancer, including:

“Over 50 of the biggest names in TV, film, sports and music will participate in the live phone bank, answering calls from viewers who want to donate.

Segments on cutting-edge research — likely to be reported by network news anchors Katie Couric, Charles Gibson, and Brian Williams — will include intimate dialogue with the renowned scientists who are making the big, potentially life-saving discoveries.

Celebrity performances and participation in special live and filmed pieces designed to educate, inspire and entertain.”

Are you ready to STAND UP TO CANCER??

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Byetta is in a class of diabetic medications not mentioned in the August 11, Battling Diabetes post, Oral Diabetic Meds Unraveled.

Byetta (the trade name for exenatide) is an incretin mimetic. Incretin mimetics work by mimicking the body’s natural incretin hormones which lower blood sugar. Incretin hormones or gut hormones are released in response to food and act by stimulating insulin and inhibiting glucagon.

Byetta:

• Assists pancreatic response to release more insulin as needed to digest food
• Prevents the pancreas from giving out glucagon which causes the liver to release glucose into the blood stream when it is not needed.
• Delays gastric emptying which makes you feel full longer.

Approved June 1, 2005 by the FDA and manufactured and marketed by Amylin and Eli Lily and Company, Byetta is considered an adjuvant therapy for Type II diabetics who do not have control with metformin, and or sulfonylureas and or thiazolinediones. Adjuvant therapy is treatment given in addition to primary therapy.

Byetta is a synthetic hormone first discovered in the saliva of the gila monster (lizard).

Basic Byetta use information:

Byetta is given as an injection, similar to insulin and comes in pre filled pens which are stored in the refrigerator. Needles do not come with Byetta.

Byetta is used one hour before eating a meal, and us usually injected twice a day at the same time each day, before the morning and evening meal. Byetta is NOT used after eating a meal. Dosing pens are in 5 mcg or 10 mcg. You can download a user manual for the 5 mcg pen or the 10 mcg pen.

The makers of Byetta are currently testing a long lasting injectable for use once a week. The current patent for Byetta expires in 2013

• Nausea — occurring in up to 44 percent of people
• Low blood sugar
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Feeling jittery
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Upset stomach

2007 FDA Alert:

FDA has reviewed 30 postmarketing reports of acute pancreatitis in patients taking Byetta, a drug used to treat adults with type 2 diabetes. An association between Byetta and acute pancreatitis is suspected in some of these cases.

Healthcare professionals should instruct patients taking Byetta to seek prompt medical care if they experience unexplained persistent severe abdominal pain which may or may not be accompanied by vomiting. If pancreatitis is suspected, Byetta should be discontinued. If pancreatitis is confirmed, Byetta should not be restarted unless an alternative etiology is identified.

FDA has asked and the maker of Byetta, Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has agreed to include information about acute pancreatitis in the PRECAUTIONS section of the product label.

Label revisions can be found here.

Byetta Resources:

Byetta

The Diabetes Monitor: Byetta FAQS

Byetta at Drugs.com

Byetta User’s Group Blog

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One of the major concerns of dealing with a person who has Alzheimer’s disease is safety, and as the disease progresses, falls become a serious health hazard. I ran across this article the other day and was reminded of the importance of slip, trip and fall prevention. I’m sharing it in its entirety.

Safeguarding Seniors Against Falls at Home
By [ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_L._Taylor]Jeffrey L. Taylor

Have you ever had a fall at home? Are you afraid an older loved one may break a hip with a fall? Thousands of people experience this unpleasant reality daily and find themselves robbed of their independence. Injuries caused by falls at home are often painful and leave those affected with a fear of falling again, thus limiting their recovery. The good news is that the majority of falls at home are preventable. The following are some tips you can follow to make your home or the home of a loved one safer.

In the BATHROOM:
1) Have grab bars installed on the walls beside the toilet and inside the tub/shower. These days, it is not necessary to get the type of bars that have to be installed permanently with screws - there are those available that have large suction cups at both ends that adhere very well to the wall, and they are removable
You may also want to have floor-to-ceiling vertical rods (safety poles) available to provide extra support where it’s needed. These poles are easy to remove or relocate if necessary.
2) Use rubber mats with suctions cups on the underside both on the floor inside the tub or shower, and for when you step out of the water. Traction in these slippery areas is essential.
3) A combination safety seat/transfer bench used inside the tub or shower provides stability and comfort during bathing, and enables you to get in and out safely.
4) A hand-held showerhead on a flexible hose makes it easier to bathe, as well as to control the spray and keep the water inside the tub or shower.
5) A raised seat on the toilet or a special toilet seat with armrests enables the user to gain better leverage for standing and sitting, and provide aid in maintaining balance.

In Your BEDROOM:
1) When you are in bed, make sure you can reach a light switch, either for a bedside lamp, or a ceiling light.
2) Install remote-controlled switches with other lamps in the room (available from a radio/electronics store).
3) Always have a flashlight handy.
4) Keep a mobility aid (cane, walker) nearby and reachable, near the bed.
5) If you need to get up frequently at night, it may be practical to keep a bedside commode in your room.

In the KITCHEN:
1) If your kitchen has concrete, ceramic tile or other hard surface flooring, place carpeting over it to lessen the severity of injury should a fall occur.
2) Use footwear with good traction on the soles. Avoid going barefoot, or in stockinged feet.
3) Wipe up spills on the floor immediately.
4) Keep all items that are used every day within easy reach.
5) If something does drop or fall to the floor, use extra caution to pick it up. You can easily lose your balance when bending over to pick up something. It’s a good idea to utilize “reacher” devices in every room.

General TIPS:
1) Install brighter lighting everywhere, particularly over stairs, in the kitchen and in the bathroom. Make sure there are light switches at both ends of the stairs and hallways. Use nightlights in hallways and in your bedroom and bathroom.
2) Get handrails installed on both sides of your staircase, extending the full length of the stairs.
3) Remove loose rugs that can trip you up; keep lighting wires, computer and other technology wires safely near walls.
4) Get rid of piles of “stuff” that you think you may want to read in the future, but never get around to: old newspapers, magazines, old pieces of junk mail. These are fire hazards, and trip-up hazards when left on the floor.
5) Move unnecessary furniture and other obstacles out of your way, so that there are clear, wide pathways in the house.

The best way for older citizens and those who care for them to remain accident-free is to take preventative precautions. CarenetLA provides non medical in-home care to those needing help at home. It is our hope that the information and services we provide will help our seniors stay independent and healthy for as long as possible. Our commitment to educating the public about caring for seniors has made CarenetLA a leader among care giving companies.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_L._Taylor <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?Safeguarding-Seniors-Against-Falls-at-Home&id=1370482” title=”http://EzineArticles.com/?Safeguarding-Seniors-Against-Falls-at-Home&id=1370482” target=”_blank”>EzineArticles.com/?Safeguarding-Seniors-Against-Falls-at-Home&id=1370482

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Diabetic clinical trials are an important element of battling diabetes.

What are clinical trials?

Basically a clinical trial is a scientific research involving people, that studies the effects of a new medication, therapy or device to determine if it is safe and effective.

In the United States, clinical trials are monitored by the Food and Drug Administration.

The Phases of a Clinical Trial:

Phase I evaluates dosage parameters.

Phase II continues to evaluate safety and begins to study efficacy.

Phase III compares the new drug with standards of care or if there are none, a placebo.

Phase IV is used if the drug normally used as a standard is to be used for another condition or if the formulation is changed. This phase may also be used for extended studies on drug side effects.

Diabetes clinical trials may involve studies of prevention of diabetes or the treatment of types of diabetes.

So you know what Insulin is…but have you heard of Oral-Lyn?

“Generex Oral-lyn™, is an insulin spray for the treatment of Type I and Type II diabetes. Generex Oral-lyn™ is a safe, simple, fast, effective, and pain-free alternative to subcutaneous injections of prandial insulin and is conveniently delivered to the membranes of the oral cavity by a simple asthma-like device with no pulmonary (lung) deposition.”

The product is currently available in Ecuador and India and Phase III clinical studies have begun around the world.

Today Market Watch released information on the enrollment of more than 150 patients in these Phase III trials. ” The objective of the six-month study is to compare the efficacy of Generex Oral-lyn and the Company’s RapidMist(tm) Diabetes Management System with prandial injections of regular human insulin as measured by HbA1c. ”

The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY)

“The long-term goal of the TEDDY study is the identification of infectious agents, dietary factors, or other environmental agents, including psychosocial factors, which trigger type 1 diabetes in genetically susceptible individuals or which protect against the disease. The TEDDY study will recruit and enroll individuals, including obtaining informed consent from parents prior to or shortly after birth, obtain genetic and other samples from neonates and parents, and prospectively follow selected neonates throughout childhood or until development of islet autoimmunity or type 1 diabetes.”

CTLA-4 Ig (Abatacept) in Recent Onset Diabetes

From TrialNet:

“Abatacept was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2005 for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, another autoimmune disease. Abatacept works by interrupting one of the steps in the autoimmune attack.

In this study, we will see if abatacept will interrupt the autoimmune attack that is going on in people recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.”

Abatacept is given through a continuous IV infusion over for 30 minutes. Candidates for this study must be 6 to 45 years old, and diagnosed with type 1 diabetes less than 3 months ago. Check out the Trial Net site for more information.

ACT-Albuquerque Clinical Trials are enrolling for a diabetes study sponsored by Bristol Myers Squibb and involves a new compound combination with Metformin and/or TZD and/or Insulin therapy. Now enrolling patients ages 18-77 with the intention of assessing the effects of lowering blood sugars by management of diabetic medications. Check out the site contact to see if you qualify.

In depth resources on clinical trials and registries for clinical trials:

ClinicalTrials.gov not only lists registries of current clinical trials in the U.S and other countries but breaks them down according to condition, drug, sponsor and location.

World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. “The mission of the WHO Registry Platform is to ensure that a complete view of research is accessible to all those involved in health care decision making.”

CRISP, Computer Retrieval of Information on Scientific Projects. “A biomedical database system containing information on research projects and programs supported by the Dept. of Health and Human Services.”

Center Watch: Clinical Trials Listing Service. This site provides a notification services for new clinical trials.

American Diabetes Association provides basic information on clinical trials.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International lists current JDRF funded clinical studies and provides information on what phase those studies are currently in.

The Children With Diabetes site lists current clinical trials.

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