CalCPA ProtectPlus

During this festive time of year many of us find it hard to resist all the delicious food that is in front of us while at work, at home and at social gatherings throughout the holidays. These situations can be very challenging for those with diabetes. Below you will find some useful information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how diabetics can enjoy the celebrations and stay healthy.

The following is from CDC.gov:

Having diabetes shouldn’t stop you from enjoying holiday celebrations and travel. With some planning and a little work, you can stay healthy on the road and at holiday gatherings with friends and family.

The most important step in managing diabetes during holiday travel and festivities is preparing. Know what you’ll be eating, how to enjoy a few traditional favorites while sticking with a healthy meal plan, and how to pack necessary supplies for a trip, and you’re all set to celebrate!

Feasts and Parties

Before you go, take these steps to make sure you stick to your healthy meal plan.

• Eat a healthy snack to avoid overeating at the party.
• Ask what food will be served, so you can see how it fits into your meal plan.
• Bring a nutritious snack or dish for yourself and others.

You don’t have to give up all of your holiday favorites if you make healthy choices and limit portion sizes. At a party or holiday gathering, follow these tips to avoid overeating and to choose healthy foods.

• If you’re at a buffet, fix your plate and move to another room away from the food, if possible.
• Choose smaller portions.
• Choose low-calorie drinks such as sparkling water, unsweetened tea or diet beverages. If you select an alcoholic beverage, limit it to one drink a day for women, two for men, and drink only with a meal.
• Watch out for heavy holiday favorites such as hams coated with a honey glaze, turkey swimming in gravy and side dishes loaded with butter, sour cream, cheese or mayonnaise. Instead, choose turkey without gravy and trim off the skin, or other lean meats.
• Look for side dishes and vegetables that are light on butter, dressing and other extra fats and sugars, such as marshmallows or fried vegetable toppings.
• Watch the salt. Some holiday favorites are made with prepared foods high in sodium. Choose fresh or frozen vegetables that are low in sodium.
• Select fruit instead of pies, cakes and other desserts high in fat, cholesterol and sugar.
• Focus on friends, family and activities instead of food. Take a walk after a meal, or join in the dancing at a party.

Traveling for the Holidays

Leaving home to visit friends and family means changing routines. Make sure you remember to take care of your diabetes while traveling. Check blood glucose (sugar) more often than usual, because a changing schedule can affect levels.

Remember Your Medication

• Pack twice the amount of diabetes supplies you expect to need, in case of travel delays.
• Keep snacks, glucose gel, or tablets with you in case your blood glucose drops. (continue reading…)

Today is World Diabetes Day and its purpose it to raise global awareness of diabetes. World Diabetes Day was started by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) and is celebrated on November 14th to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting, who along with Charles Best, played an important role in the discovery of insulin in 1922 which has been a life-saving treatment for diabetics. The campaign is in the spotlight each year on November 14th however, it works year round to help educate people on what the risks are and how to prevent diabetes.

WHO estimates that more than 346 million people worldwide have diabetes. Almost 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. The IDF issued a report that estimates that 552 million people could have diabetes in two decades’ time based on factors like aging and demographic changes. The group says that about one adult in 13 has diabetes.

Gojka Roglic, head of WHO’s diabetes unit, said the projected future rise in diabetes cases was because of aging rather than the obesity epidemic. Most cases of diabetes are Type 2, the kind that mainly hits people in middle age, and is linked to weight gain and a sedentary lifestyle. Roglic went on to say that a substantial number of future diabetes cases were preventable. “It’s worrying because these people will have an illness which is serious, debilitating, and shortens their lives,” she said. “But it doesn’t have to happen if we take the right interventions.”

The slogan chosen for this year’s campaign is: Act on Diabetes. Now.

Five key messages have been developed to inform the outputs and deliverables of the 2011 campaign:
• Diabetes kills: 1 person every 8 seconds, 4 million people a year
• Diabetes does not discriminate: all ages, rich and poor, all countries
• Diabetes can no longer be ignored: 4 million lives lost a year, 1 million amputations a year, millions lost in income and productivity
• Life-saving care, a right not a privilege: education, medicines, technologies
• Choose Health: demand healthy food and environments, keep active, eat well. You can make a difference.

Click here to view a  short video from the IDF.

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If you haven’t been to the CalCPA ProtectPlus website lately, you have a surprise—a healthy surprise—in store. Reaching out to fulfill an important aspect of the Group Insurance Trust mission and foster the well-being of its members, a new “Wellness” feature on the ProtectPlus site opens up to an array of resources for information on diet, health, exercise, and treatment options.

A series of scrolling panels link to some of the most highly regarded sources of health information on the Web, including Healthy Women; WebMD, The American Heart Association, The American Diabetes Association, and RealAge. Here is a sample of what you will find.

HealthyWomen

Sponsored by the nonprofit National Women’s Health Resource Center, HealthyWomen.org has a long history of providing unbiased and accurate health information. It was named one of the “Top 100 Websites for Women” by ForbesWoman. The site features information on a wide range of topics from pregnancy and reproductive health to diet, aging, and alternative medicine.

WebMD

One of the most popular health-oriented sites on the Internet, WebMD offers credible, in-depth medical news, features, reference material, and online community programs. Aiming to provide the most important and relevant health news each day, the site’s independent journalists draw upon medical journals, conferences, federal or state government actions, industry materials, and interviews with medical experts.

The American Heart Association

One of a group of sites created by the American Heart Association, Heart.org provides a wealth of information on cardiovascular diseases and stroke. In addition to explanations of heart-related health conditions, there are guidelines for caregivers and educators, resources for training in CPR and first aid, current research findings, and tips for healthy living.

American Diabetes Association

The official website of the American Diabetes Association, Diabetes.org offers a concise introduction to the basics of diabetes. It explains the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, describes the symptoms, provides tips on prevention, and offers solid tools for living with the disease. Additionally, there are links to community resources, research, and advocacy measures.

RealAge

A highly praised commercial site, RealAge.com is dedicated to providing quality science-based health and lifestyle content available in a personalized, user-friendly, and easy-to-understand format. The editorial team is made up of health editors, writers, and researchers. Major categories address common issues around exercise, food, medical issues, and remedies. 

CLICK HERE to visit our new Wellness page

And More … Delivered to Your Desktop

For those who would like regular input or updates on health issues but need a reminder, RSS feeds are available from the American Heart Association and WebMD. The ProtectPlus website provides links to sign up for these, plus you can also sign up for an RSS feed of the ProtectPlus blog where Trust staff posts information on many topics of interest to members.

Finally, the Trust has contracted with HopeHealth for the semi-monthly delivery of a new eMagazine “The Healthy CPA.” You should have already received your first issue, with features and short squibs on health, diet, exercise, and even financial issues—information that you can put to use the day it arrives. If you didn’t receive it or overlooked it, here’s a link for retrieving it.

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In the video below, Kelsey Hubbard of the Wall Street Journal Digital Network speaks with WSJ’s Shirley Wang about steps that are being taken to help prevent Type 1 diabetes especially with the rising numbers of children that are diagnosed with the disease.

The following article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention contains valuable information about the dangers of having diabetes and being pregnant and what you can do to help prevent or control the condition and keep your baby safe. 

Control your blood sugar before and during pregnancy to help prevent birth defects and other poor outcomes, such as miscarriage or stillbirth.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot use the sugars and starches (carbohydrates) it takes in as food to make energy. The body either makes too little insulin in the pancreas or cannot use the insulin it makes to change those sugars and starches into energy. As a result, the body builds up extra sugar in the blood. Controlling diabetes means controlling blood sugar by keeping it within a certain range by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and taking medicines (pills or insulin) as ordered by the doctor.

How can uncontrolled blood sugar affect my health and the baby?

Your health

The extra sugar in the blood can damage your body’s organs, such as the heart, eyes, and kidneys, if it is allowed to build up in the body too long. It can also cause:

• Increased chance of needing C-section
• Preeclampsia
• Miscarriage or stillbirth
• Early or preterm birth

Baby’s health

• Birth defects
• Extra large baby
• Low blood sugar in infant after birth
• Increased chance of overweight obesity and diabetes in your child later in life

Are there different types of diabetes?

There are three common types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas makes no insulin or so little insulin that the body can’t change blood sugar into energy. Type 1 diabetes must be controlled with daily insulin shots, diet, and exercise.
• Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the body either makes too little insulin or can’t use the insulin it makes to change blood sugar into energy. Often type 2 diabetes can be controlled through eating a proper diet and exercising regularly. Some people with type 2 diabetes have to take diabetes pills or insulin or both.  (continue reading…)

More than likely you know someone who has diabetes. I know someone who is four years old and someone who is 83 years old that has it – which shows that this is a disease that can hit just about anyone, no matter what their age. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) released a 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet  that shows that 25.8 million people are affected by diabetes – which is 8.3% of the U.S. population.  With statistics like this, it is pertinent that we understand what diabetes is and find out if we could be at risk so that we can possibly stop this disease from growing so rapidly.

Just exactly what is diabetes? According to WebMd,

Diabetes, the most common disorder of the endocrine (hormone) system, occurs when blood sugar levels in the body consistently stay above normal…Diabetes is a disease brought on by either the body’s inability to make insulin (type 1 diabetes) or by the body not responding to the effects of insulin (type 2 diabetes). It can also appear during pregnancy. Insulin is one of the main hormones that regulates blood sugar levels and allows the body to use sugar (called glucose) for energy. 

The CDC states that more than one-quarter of people with type 2 diabetes do not know they have the disease. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type with almost 18 million people being affected by it. You are of higher risk of getting the disease if you are obese, age 45 or older, have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes, had gestational diabetes or not physically active. Type 2 diabetes mainly affects adults and can lead to such results as blindness, amputations and chronic kidney failure.

With such high numbers of people being affected and the terrible conditions type 2 diabetes can lead to, it is vital that we educate ourselves and learn about the disease. We should find out if any close family members have the disease and if we may be at risk. It is a good idea to talk to your doctor about your family health history. By doing this, you may find out if you are at risk and you may be able to help prevent the disease from starting if you catch the early symptoms  and are able to change your lifestyle. My grandfather had the early warning signs of type 2 diabetes. His doctor advised him that he needed to change his diet and begin to exercise on a daily basis, otherwise, he may get the disease. My grandfather did not change his ways since he had been set in his ways with bad eating habits and by never exercising. The doctor gave harsh warnings for the next few checkups…and two years later, my grandfather was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Now he has changed …but it is too late since the damage has been done. By listening to your doctor, and taking the actions they suggest, you may be able to prevent this disease or even be able to possibly stop it.

The CDC has provided detailed information about type 2 diabetes and there is a test you can take to see if you are at risk. Make sure to take that quick test and see what suggestions they have if you have a high score of being at risk. We are fortunate to have great resources at our fingertips, such as the CDC, which has taken the time to put together valuable information for us on diabetes. Make sure to visit the CDC to learn more about diabetes .

Please take the time to evaluate your current health condition – if you think you may be at risk or have any of the symptoms – talk to your doctor and see what steps you can take to help stop this disease from taking over your life and possibly causing you serious health complications down the road.

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Recipe from Diabetic Gourmet Magazine

Ingredients

• 1 boneless beef bottom round rump roast or beef bottom round (3 to 3-1/4 pounds)
• 2 packages (24 ounces each) fresh pot roast vegetables (potatoes, onions, carrots, celery)
• 2 packages (.75 to .88 ounces each) mushroom or brown gravy mix
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup beer
• Chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Directions

1. Prepare pot roast vegetables: cut potatoes in half (or into quarters if large), onions into 1/2-inch wedges, and carrots and celery into 2-inch pieces; set aside.
2. Combine gravy mixes, flour, salt and pepper in large bowl. Add vegetables to bowl; toss to coat well. Remove vegetables from flour mixture and place in 5 to 6-quart slow cooker. Add beef roast to bowl, turning to coat evenly with flour mixture. Remove roast and place in slow cooker in center of vegetables.
3. Whisk beer into remaining flour mixture until smooth; add to slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW 10 to 11 hours, or on HIGH 6 to 7 hours, or until beef and vegetables are fork-tender. (No stirring is necessary during cooking.)
4. Remove roast and vegetables. Skim fat from gravy. Carve roast into thin slices. Serve with vegetables and gravy. Sprinkle with parsley, if desired.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Calories: 318

Protein: 39 g

Sodium: 516 mg

Cholesterol: 112 mg

Fat: 9 g

Saturated Fat: 3 g

Dietary Fiber: 3 g

Carbohydrates: 17 g

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The following is an excerpt Participatory Health: Online and Mobile Tools Help Chronically Ill Manage Their Care report written by Jane Sarasohn-Kahn, M.A., M.H.S.A, THINK-Health for the California HealthCare Foundation

Health Video Games

Adults are a fast-growing segment of the video game market, with more than half of U.S. adults playing these games, and about one in five playing every day or almost everyday. More than four out of five U.S. adults ages 18 to 29 are video gamers, although only one in four people ages 65 and older uses video games at all. There is growing evidence of the clinical effectiveness of health e-games.

Clinical trials funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and others are gathering data on the efficacy of health e-games for managing health conditions including cancer, asthma, diabetes, and cystic fibrosis, among others. The Robert Wood Johnson Pioneer Portfolio’s  Health Games Research project tracks these developments.

One of the first clinical trials testing the effectiveness of health video games involved Packy & Marlon, an interactive adventure video game that uses experiential learning to improve self-management of diabetic children and adolescents. Keeping their game character’s blood glucose within the normal range, through appropriate insulin and food, helps players win the game. This six-month study indicated that a well-designed action-adventure video game can significantly improve health learning, skill development, and behavior change. (continue reading…)