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<![CDATA[My Site - Blog]]>Tue, 25 Jun 2024 12:08:49 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[Diabetes and the Sunshine Vitamin: Vitamin D3 ]]>Thu, 01 Jan 2015 21:16:13 GMThttps://www.simply-diabetes.com/blog/january-01st-2015

People who lack vitamin D are more likely to develop diabetes. Research shows that 60 percent of people with type 2 diabetes have vitamin D deficiency. Diabetes, heart disease, cancer, fibromyalgia and chronic pain have all been linked to low vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones, but also for preventing and easing diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

Vitamin D is made by the body when exposed to sunshine. It is also available in some foods like fortified dairy products, fortified cereals, salmon, cheese and butter. Very little Vitamin D can be synthesized from the sun at latitudes above 37 degrees in winter. This means most Americans who live in states north of Texas are making little to no vitamin D from November to February.

Life-style factors that contribute to developing Type 2 diabetes include poor diet, obesity and physical inactivity. All of these factors can also cause vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is important for normal glucose metabolism. There is a connection between vitamin D deficiency and the development of Type 2 diabetes.

Vitamin D directly acts on insulin making cells in the pancreas to produce more insulin. Vitamin D acts on the muscle and fat cells to reduce insulin resistance. Vitamin D reduces inflammation which is commonly found with Type 2 diabetes. Vitamin D indirectly improves insulin making from the pancreas by improving the level of calcium inside the cells.

In a study from Finland, researchers collected health data in men and women from the ages of 40 to 74. None of these people had Type 2 diabetes at the start of the study. Researchers followed these people for 22 years to see which people in the study developed Type 2 diabetes. The results determined that people with lower levels of vitamin D were more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.

In another study from the U.S., researchers found that vitamin D and calcium supplementation were able to reduce progress from pre-diabetes to diabetes. The shielding effect of vitamin D was similar in extent to other methods which have been shown to reduce the development from pre-diabetes to diabetes, such as a weight loss, exercise and use of the drug, Metformin.

Vitamin D levels can be tested with a simple blood test. Vitamin D3 supplements are readily available, but checking your vitamin D level with a blood test is highly recommended. If you are critically low in vitamin D, your doctor can prescribe the correct dose to bring your vitamin D level back to the normal range. I suggest to all my diabetes education patients to ask their primary care provider to check their vitamin D levels at their next A1C blood draw. I have met many patients with low levels of vitamin D and several who were critically low. Vitamin D levels should be part of regular screening for all patients, especially those who live at higher latitudes.

Christine Mealey RN, MSN, CDE

]]><![CDATA[ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION AND DIABETES: THE HEART OF THE MATTER]]>Wed, 31 Dec 2014 19:25:28 GMThttps://www.simply-diabetes.com/blog/december-31st-2014

The taboo of sexual dysfunction is common. Many healthcare providers are uncomfortable asking questions about sexual health. For men with type 2 diabetes, erectile dysfunction has been shown to precede the development of coronary heart disease. Men with Type 2 diabetes who suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED) have a 58% increased risk of heart attack or death. The presence of ED should be investigated by healthcare providers during every office visit or diabetes education session. Patients need to know that erectile dysfunction is an important warning sign of coronary heart disease.

According to research completed in Italy, erectile dysfunction often precedes and predicts heart disease in men with silent coronary heart disease. Several Hundred men with Type 2 diabetes and silent coronary artery disease were followed for 4 years. Angiographic imaging demonstrated evidence of plaque build-up in their coronary arteries, but these patients did not have typical symptoms of coronary heart disease such as angina.

Men with Type 2 diabetes need to know about the serious implications associated with ED. Health care providers and diabetes educators need to inform men with Type 2 diabetes about the strong connection between ED and heart disease. Erectile dysfunction is not just about sexual health in these patients, it could mean life or death.

Christine Mealey RN, MSN, CDE

]]><![CDATA[Diet Soda and Diabetes: Drink water instead]]>Sun, 28 Dec 2014 19:44:21 GMThttps://www.simply-diabetes.com/blog/december-28th-2014

Consumption of sugar-sweetened soda is linked to an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, but what about Diet soda and other artificially sweetened beverages? New research is connecting obesity and diabetes to artificial sweeteners. The artificial sweeteners appear to alter the gut flora and cause glucose intolerance and weight gain. Research is now revealing that people who eat more artificial sweeteners tend to be heavier, have bigger waistlines and have higher fasting blood sugar levels.

In my diabetes education practice, I meet many people who are big soda drinkers. Many patients have a 3-4+ bottle a day habit they are encouraged to give up immediately. Switching to diet soda seemed to be the perfect solution for many of these folks, but the new research contradicts this idea. Many patients ask me “what can I drink if I cannot drink soda?” The simple answer of course is water, but many patients tell me flat out, that is not something they are willing to do.

Most big soda drinkers that I have met through my diabetes education practice, are willing to switch to artificially sweetened beverages. According to the new research on artificial sweeteners, this can actually increase their weight and make their diabetes worse. I plan on sharing the new information on artificial sweeteners and will strongly encourage all my diabetes education patients: DRINK WATER INSTEAD.

By Christine Mealey RN, MSN, CDE

]]><![CDATA[diabetes can be complicated]]>Wed, 24 Dec 2014 04:34:34 GMThttps://www.simply-diabetes.com/blog/diabetes-can-be-complicatedWith all the diabetes websites available on the internet, why does diabetes have to be so tricky to figure out? Why are most diabetes websites so complicated?

Basic information like target blood sugar levels and how to use a glucometer are bogged down with wordy sentences and NO pictures! I am a visual learner, along with about 80% of the population, so I love pictures when I am learning. You know the old saying " a picture is worth a thousand words", well they are right! So with that in mind, I decided to start my own website designed to "keep it simple" "easy". Music to my ears and to anyone living with diabetes or caring for a loved one with diabetes.

Diabetes is enough work on its own, never-mind making it difficult and confusing to understand. I hope you like my website. I will be adding more materials each week, but hopefully daily. To all the people touched by Diabetes, you are not alone.

Christine Mealey RN, MSN, CDE]]>