Sunday was a beautiful day on the gulf coast and I was out doing my regular 2 mile walk feeling the breeze and smelling all the flowers I would walk by.... listening to Madonna, thinking how nice it is to NOT be working. Selecting my next music choice on my iphone, I noticed my index finger and thumb .. small scars and pin needles marks from using my glucose meter everyday. Looking at my other hand, not a single mark was present, and I thought I need to rotate and not abuse the other one so frequently.Then, I thought ...... WAIT. Should there not already be a bloodless glucose meter in the near future, if not NOW and today? I did a Google search on this and discussed something very present and in our hopeful near future.
A company called 'Grove Instruments' is claiming before 2016 they will be the first company to have a bloodless glucose meter on the market using the heat from your finger (or earlobe) to produce an accurate reading in 20 seconds. The device is small, battery operated, and fits in your shirt pocket. The biggest plus of it all? Say goodbye to lancets, test strips, and going to the pharmacy. So far, over 300 diabetics nationwide have participated in a continuing study and innovation of this product that matches the accuracy of a blood glucose meter. That's right .... matching the accuracy of a standard meter. Is this nothing but a sweet dream for all of the diabetics out there? ...25 million and rising to be exact. But why, why are we waiting until 2016 to see such a remarkable and life changing device? Grove Instruments has one patent pending, 10 funded grants, and several endorsements. It seems the needed support and funds to reach the top, are there. Oh yeah .. and I love this part: The CEO has 2 children with type 1 diabetes. (I actually went searching for his bio, thinking he knew someone who had it, or had a reason to think of such a device.)
We all know where Big Pharma makes there oodles upon oodles of dollars, right? Testing supplies. When I run out before insurance can pick them up, I would pay $40 for a box of 25. I can still not believe these prices. (Friendly tip: go to Ebay and they are cheaper.) So, with the evolution of such a product - the need for these supplies would greatly decrease. Does anybody see a connection with this waiting game?
It is something to think about. I was once in Europe talking with a friend about how small the cars were, comparing them to our Chevy Tahoes, and Lincoln Towncars in the USA. The person replied, 'The country usually gives it's people what they demand.'
Calling all supporters! Check out Grove and spread the word..
If you like oatmeal in the morning for breakfast, and you have diabetes, then you are in luck! No, I am not talking about the 'Quaker Oats 6 pack singles' with 30+ grams of sugar... You know, that big cylinder of oats that are NEXT to those other products? :)
I have been eating it more often for breakfast and not only does it keep you full until lunch time comes around, but it reaps other health benefits that you might not have known about:
1) It stabilizes Blood Sugar - It causes a lower rise in blood sugar, starting your day off right while keeping you at the healthy level you need.
2) Antioxidant Benefits - In addition to its fiber benefits, oats are also a very good source of selenium. This powerful antioxidant aids in the prevention of heart disease. Also, selenium takes part in DNA repair and is associated with a reduced risk for cancer, especially colon cancer.
3)Immune Response - Several studies in the past showed significant enhancements to the human immune system's response to bacterial infection. So, starting your day with a bowl of oatmeal may boost your immune response in addition to your morning energy levels.
4) Lower Cholesterol Levels - Studies show that a person with high cholesterol (above 220 mg/dl), consuming just 3 grams of soluble oat fiber per day (an amount found in one bowl of oatmeal) lowers total cholesterol by 8-23%.
I personally love to fix mine with fruit on top, some cinnamon, and then give it a big stir! Remember - it does not always have to be boring, the more colorful fruit in your diet- the better..
Being a Type 1 diabetic, I always think about even if I wanted to diet, it is not always
going to work completely because of the 'highs and lows' that we all encounter from time to time. I guess some would reply that moderation is the best way to go about eating, and then adding exercise to the equation. I do agree! Although, I have finally made the exercise thing a habit, I have not so much on the eating thing. I do well, and then sometimes you just want to sit and eat in your comfy cotton pants and watch HBO :)
Today, I read more about the Mediterranean Diet online. A large observation study is adding another feather to this diet's cap, suggesting that the Mediterranean diet helps Diabetic's maintain a healthy blood sugar. The diet consists of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, beans, cheese, and fish. I found on All Recipes website, several great recipes that would definitely satisfy an urge of any type!
Eating a Mediterranean diet is not just good for your metabolic actions, it can also lower your risk of heart disease and stroke, and improves overall brain function. They say a 'good diet' is one FULL of color ... looking at the picture I found above online, it looks like a rainbow of good food source!
Last month, my Dad sent a rather exciting (to me) email. I knew it had to be something interesting or something that pertained to me, as he emails so little, as is. I always click on it immediately when I see his name :)
When I opened it, it was a link to a news article...
It was about breathable Insulin called Afrezza produced by the company MannKind that
would be (hopefully) by FDA approved in early 2014. I (like many others) inject myself daily 4-6 times a day, and while it is not painful, it is a PAIN to deal with. So I must admit when I read this, it really grabbed me and pulled me threw a world of Googling and reading as much as I could...and I discovered a lot that other would maybe find interesting..
Although, many case studies on Afrezza have been taking place since 2007 and results show a very positive outcome and review of this product, I found that breathable insulin is nothing new to the field of Diabetes...
Did you know there was a breathable Insulin called Exubera until 2007? While it never gained any traction in the medical market, it cited 'low sales due to insurance companies not picking it up' as it's main failure. Afrezza is said to have that cat in the bag cat bagged, with the same price as the Insulin 'pens' ..promising a better outcome and to be a better overall drug. Taken 12-14 minutes before meal times, it was comparable to a normal person's pancreas and had the same results. Oh, and research for any long term stress it would have on your lungs? ..seems to be looking good since it is an insulin and not a steroid of any shape or form.
The overall outlook for the MannKind company must look good. With the news of this new breathable insulin possibly being approved soon, the stock for this company soared 18% ... Not to mention, the CEO - Alfred Mann, has put about 930 million dollars of his own money in the company over the years. Sounds like he has something to believe in!
Is it just me, or do we often day dream about peace, serenity (whatever it may be) and how to find it? I always think about the quietness I crave so dearly and WHEN I get to locate it next... I was lucky enough to come across my serenity over the weekend..
One of the best parts about living on the Gulf Coast is the scenery and that 'serenity and peace' is not so far away. It just so happened to be the West end of Dauphin Island with the whitest sand and was only reachable by boat. The only thing missing was the beer and the beach chairs, and I had found the perfect location for Corona's next commercial shoot.
And another thing ....what is it exactly about abandon objects, in the middle of no-where, that people find eerie and scary... yet calm, peaceful and we want to photograph them at the same time? Ya got me! .. but I was doing exactly this when I came across this giant green buoy all alone with not a soul around....
I read something that was rather surprising on Yahoo news last week about China. They have overtaken the USA in Diabetes. Now granted, they have in the upwards of over 1 billion people, to the United States - 330 million, but the percents do not lie. In 2010, China was at 11.6% of the population with diabetes, while the USA - 11.3%. I am sure today, these numbers are even higher being almost 4 years later.
Could it be the possibly the influence of the West Hemispheres diet and restaurants hitting overseas? You know .. the million's of McDonald's and KFC's that you see in this country alone. They are now global and very, very wide spread. Most everyone knows you can only eat this food in moderation, but several do not. Is it trending toward the same epidemic over there as well? I did wonder and I do believe that these choices can lead to Diabetes and other serious health problems. In a nation where everything is super-sized and super large, and now 2 for $1 or on a dollar menu, it is no surprise at all.
I always thought of China as fish loving, rice eating population where the green-tea flows from the nearest river! The article credits 'poor nutrition' and eating too much in later life as the cause for most Type 2 Diabetic cases
Read it, here.
Anyone with a pet will tell you simply, they are AMAZING. They are loyal and comfort us,
love us no matter what, and never judge us no matter how much or how often the human race will. I have my own pet, a cat named Shelby who is approaching 11 years old and, yes ... she is Amazing! We sit together every morning, as seen in the picture, and do the coffee/TV routine before 8 hours of cubicle world begins...
One of the great pieces of information that I always hear associated with pets, is there effects on our health - in a good way! Studies have shown that they lower our blood pressure and keep our morale positive overall but did you know that some can also detect low blood sugars? Several people in 2008 study reported that there animal alerted them about a low blood sugar before they even noticed it themselves. Studies are now taking place to support this phenomenon. I recently read a story out of Louisville, KY about a teenager girl with Type 1 who had a trained dog to alert her when she had low blood sugars, being she had Hypoglycemia Unawareness. The parents said there mind was now at ease and the dog was a 'priceless companion' to the whole family..
Is it any surprise though, that our furry friends are smarter than we give them credit for?
Cats and dogs are known for keen senses and it always seems to amaze the population what are pets can do for us. Talk about loyalty...
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