You have likely seen the words, “Low Glycemic Index!” on a variety of food products from cereal to snacks to ice cream to diet programs. What does it mean and what do you need to know? What is the Glycemic Index? The glycemic index (GI) measures how one’s blood sugar responds after eating a certain… Read more »
Tag: diabetes
Is there really a cure in sight for Type 1 Diabetes?
You may think of Type 1 diabetes as a disease that occurs acutely, with the most common symptoms of polydipsia, polyuria and polyphagia appearing seemingly without warning. However, we now know that this autoimmune disease,in which the body attacks its own insulin producing pancreatic beta cells, begins to manifest from three to five years before… Read more »
Diabetes language matters
The words that healthcare professionals, including registered dietitians nutritionists (RDNs), choose when speaking about or with patients shapes the provider-patient relationship and influences clinical outcomes. Awareness of the power of language is why the American Diabetes Association recommends adopting a “communication style that uses person-centered and strength-based language.”1 When a practitioner states, “You’re a diabetic,”… Read more »
Nonnutritive sweeteners and weight gain—Is there any evidence to support the claims?
What’s going on with nonnutritive sweeteners? There are so many claims out there regarding the health benefits or warnings against adverse effects of consuming these products. Reputable professional organizations currently have varying opinions about the use of nonnutritive sweeteners and well-conducted research studies report opposite results at times. While the evidence is still growing and… Read more »
The importance of blood sugar control in cardiac surgery patients
Blood sugar control is crucial in the cardiac surgery population, in patients with and without diabetes. Despite this, there are no guidelines surrounding target blood sugar goals in the perioperative cardiac surgery patient. The definition of hyperglycemia varies throughout the research, but one thing remains clear: hyperglycemia leads to poorer surgical outcomes in cardiac surgery… Read more »
Tips for treating your patients with Type 1 diabetes and celiac disease
Type 1 diabetes and celiac disease. Individually, they each require a high level of knowledge and vigilance to manage. Counting carbs, reading labels, buying specialty foods, doctor visits, deciphering food additives, you name it. Now imagine combining the two conditions. Carb counting just got a lot more complicated. The link between Type 1 diabetes and… Read more »