COVID & Diabetes Update
Navigating a Crisis

Recorded & Ready for Viewing

Coach Beverly Thomassian, RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM, has completely updated this critical presentation, to bring health care professionals up-to-date on the current state of COVID and its impact on diabetes care. She summarizes key information including critical teaching points and management strategies for people with diabetes who develop a COVID-19 infection.

Topics Include:

1. Discuss the current state of diabetes in the United States.
2. Describe the relationship between COVID and health care disparities 
3. Explore the impact of COVID infection on those with pre-existing diabetes.
4. Discuss treatment strategies for COVID and diabetes, including new vaccines.
5. List critical teaching points for people with diabetes and COVID.

Join us to learn critical information about Diabetes and COVID Management

Instructor: Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, has been Board Certified in Advanced Diabetes Management for over 20 years. She is an Associate Clinical Professor at UCSF and Touro University and a nationally recognized diabetes expert.

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FREE Resource Catalog

• Diabetes Cheat Sheets
• Diabetes Blog Bytes
• Medication PocketCards
• 10 Steps to Succeed
• CDCES Coach App
• Free Webinars hosted by Coach Beverly
• Question of the Week
• Free Diabetes Article Library

See Full Free Resource Catalog

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Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE!  Sign up below!

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Accreditation: Diabetes Education Services is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider 12640, and Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), Provider DI002. Since these programs are approved by the CDR it satisfies the CE requirements for the CDCES regardless of your profession.*  

The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.

Good nutrition can help fight infection, boost our immune system, and improve our quality of life.

This is especially important as we enter flu season during a pandemic.

While doing all doing we can to prevent getting the flu and COVID-19, we are also very concerned about people with diabetes and their susceptibility to getting sick this season. 

‘Tis the season to boost immunity

Our immunity to viruses is complicated, but there are lifestyle habits that can help to keep us healthier this season. For people with diabetes, the most important thing to remember is keeping blood sugars on target. Healthy blood glucose levels support the immune system to operate most efficiently.

“While having diabetes does not put people at greater risk of getting the coronavirus, their state of health if they contract COVID will impact their outcomes.”

To improve outcomes with COVID and diabetes, it is important to keep blood sugars close to the target, especially for those living with co-morbidities such as obesity or hypertension. Diabetes, especially with elevated glucose for a long period of time, may cause inflammation, which also affects the immune system” states Janaki Vakharia, MD, a clinical fellow in the Endocrinology Division at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Nutrition and Vitamins: Immune System Boosters

As a dietitian, I think a lot about how nutrition is a vital component in maintaining or gaining a healthy immune system. A vitamin deficiency of any kind can weaken our immune system and make us more susceptible to getting any virus; specifically, vitamin D and vitamin C.

Vitamin D and C

Vitamin D can help immune cells function to fight off illness and infection. (1) Sadly, 2020 statistics find that 61% of the elderly population has a vitamin D deficiency. We can take vitamin supplements, but whole foods have so much to offer us. For example, salmon packs 988 IU of vitamin D per 3.5 oz and also provides omega-3 fatty acids which help maintain healthy blood vessels and may reduce chronic inflammation. Also, a vitamin C deficiency can impact our immunity. (2) 

Vitamin C is naturally occurring in many fruit and vegetables. Lately, I have been intrigued by the pomegranate. My brother has a large pomegranate tree and recently sent me several beautiful pomegranates. I love the tangy-sweet taste of the juice. 

Pomegranates & Humans – 8000 Year Love Affair

As I started to research the nutrient content of pomegranates, I discovered that humans have had an 8000 year-long love affair with this fascinating fruit, dating from the very first civilization.

The tree’s root bark has been used to treat intestinal parasites. The skin of the fruit has been used to make ink, and the seed oil is used in cosmetics. Pomegranates are also an ancient symbol of fertility and the tree is pest-resistant while being able to withstand long periods of drought. 

The most alluring part of the pomegranate is the vibrant red hue of the seeds. This red pigment contains polyphenols which are powerful antioxidants. This is the medicine of the fruit because these antioxidants are what can help our body reduce inflammation. (3) (4)

Most fruit and vegetables contain antioxidants, but the darker the food’s pigment usually the more medicinal the food. When working with our clients to encourage healthier eating to boost their immune system and decrease inflammation advising them to eat more from the food rainbow is very simple and empowering advice. 

Spinach Pomegranate Recipe

To add more color into our diets, I am sharing my Spinach Pomegranate Salad recipe

• 10 oz bag of baby spinach leaves                                              
• ½ cup walnut pieces
• ¼ red onion sliced thin                                                                 
• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1 pomegranate peeled and seeds separated                            
• 4 Tb Balsamic vinaigrette

Toss the spinach leaves with the rest of the ingredients.  Serves 4

Written by Dawn DeSoto RD, CDCES, our resident Nutrition Content Writer

References:

1. Immunology 2011 Oct; 134(2):123-139 Vitamin D3: a helpful immune-modulator
2. Nutrients. 2017 Nov;9(11):1211:Vitamin C and Immune Function
3. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, vol. 2016, Article ID 7432797, 9 pages 2016 Oxidative Stress and Inflammation: What Polyphenols Can Do for Us?  
4. Adv Biomed Res. 2014,3:100 Potent Health Effects of Pomegranate

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Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE!  Sign up below!

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Accreditation: Diabetes Education Services is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider 12640, and Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), Provider DI002. Since these programs are approved by the CDR it satisfies the CE requirements for the CDCES regardless of your profession.

The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.

1. High levels of intestinal butyrate indicate excess inflammation and increased glucose levels
2. Thicker intestinal mucous lining is correlated with a lower risk of diabetes
3. In diabetes, there is an inverse correlation between food diversity and gut bacteria diversity
4. Decreasing the prevalence of mucin-producing bacteria decreases diabetes risk

Click here to test your knowledge!

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FREE Webinar Recorded & Ready for Viewing – Getting to the Gut & Skin, Meet Your Microbiome

Join the wonderment as we explore the role of our Microbiome.

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“This Webinar is filled with Bev’s energy, knowledge, and passion for diabetes that she replicates in all her teachings. She puts a demand on herself to be a mentor to all. Her information is well organized, full of current/relevant research, and helps CDCES’ view into the future as a changing world impacts diabetics. I find her to be the most exciting and engaging educator and … OUTSTANDING teacher!!” – recent participant

New Webinar topics:

• Discuss the latest research on our microbiome
• Describe the link between COVID and gut bacterial health
• Discuss the role of the skin microbiome in health and body weight
• Describe the importance of diet during pregnancy to promote the baby’s healthy microbiome.
• State the relationship between gut health and diabetes risk
• Describe 3 strategies to get our microbiome back to better health.

This one-hour complimentary journey will expand your view of how the trillions of bacterial hitchhikers profoundly influence our health. We will discuss how foods, the environment, and our medical practices have impacted our gut bacteria over time and strategies we can take to protect these old friends.

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Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE!  Sign up below!

[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]

Accreditation: Diabetes Education Services is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider 12640, and Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), Provider DI002. Since these programs are approved by the CDR it satisfies the CE requirements for the CDCES regardless of your profession.* 

The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.

November is National Diabetes Month. We are celebrating with our annual Gut Bacteria Webinar. Join Us!

Register for FREE Webinar – Getting to the Gut & Skin, Meet Your Microbiome airs TODAY, November 9th at 11:30 am PST

Can’t make the live version? That’s okay. Just register to receive the link to the recorded version later today.

Join the wonderment as we explore the role of our Microbiome.

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New Webinar topics:

• Discuss the latest research on our microbiome
• Describe the link between COVID and gut bacterial health
• Discuss the role of the skin microbiome in health and body weight
• Describe the importance of diet during pregnancy to promote the baby’s healthy microbiome.
• State the relationship between gut health and diabetes risk
• Describe 3 strategies to get our microbiome back to better health.

“This Webinar is filled with Bev’s energy, knowledge, and passion for diabetes that she replicates in all her teachings. She puts a demand on herself to be a mentor to all. Her information is well organized, full of current/relevant research, and helps CDCES’ view into the future as a changing world impacts diabetics. I find her to be the most exciting and engaging educator and … OUTSTANDING teacher!!” – recent participant

This one-hour complimentary journey will expand your view of how the trillions of bacterial hitchhikers profoundly influence our health. We will discuss how foods, the environment, and our medical practices have impacted our gut bacteria over time and strategies we can take to protect these old friends.

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New Updated Pocketcards Printed and Ready

Emily Gibbons– “My coworker just ordered a bunch of these cards for the physicians we work with in the hospital. They are awesome. You guys are the best! I will continue to give you business.”

Our four-sided medication accordion Pocketcards were designed by Coach Beverly Thomassian to assist in clinical practice and exam preparation. One of our best sellers, the Diabetes Medication PocketCard is perfect for all Diabetes Care and Education Specialists.

Updates Include:

• The GLP-1 RA, dulaglutide, (Trulicity), has two new higher doses.
• There is a new biosimilar basal insulin called Semglee.
• Canagliflozin (Invokana) removed the black box warning.

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Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE!  Sign up below!

[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]

Accreditation: Diabetes Education Services is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider 12640, and Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), Provider DI002. Since these programs are approved by the CDR it satisfies the CE requirements for the CDCES regardless of your profession.* 

The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.

November is an exciting month. We celebrate National Diabetes Month and World Diabetes Day. Plus, we get to exercise our right to vote.

I love this quote by Sharon Salzberg, “Voting is the expression of our commitment to ourselves, one another, this country and this world.”

Ms. Salzberg’s expression is the perfect segue to this year’s Diabetes Month Celebration theme; Taking care of Youth with Diabetes. When we take care of children with diabetes, we are making a long-term commitment to our families, communities, and the future. Diabetes Specialists are natural advocates for children and families living with diabetes.

We are excited to share helpful resources to support you with ongoing advocacy, education, and emotional support for young people living with diabetes.

November also kicks off our holiday season extravaganza. Celebrating during a pandemic is going to present many challenging situations and awkward conversations around safety. To help out, we are sharing our Stress Management Strategies for the Holidays handout. Plus, our dietitian expert, Dawn DeSoto, bravely explores her personal story of stress and sugar overconsumption. She provides some delicious low sugar recipes to help ease us through the holidays.

Lastly, as part of our annual celebration, we are excited to invite you to two FREE Webinars. Diabetes Management in Tots to Teens and our Gut & Skin Microbiome Webinar. We will look into COVID and gut health plus explore some new science that might change our showering habits.

We are grateful for family and friends. We are thankful for each one of you and the message of hope you share with our diabetes community.

In health and gratitude,

Coach Beverly, Bryanna, and Jackson

Click here to read our full November newsletter.
Sign up for our newsletter

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FREE Webinar – Getting to the Gut, Meet Your Microbiome airs November 9th at 11:15 am PST

Join the wonderment as we explore the role of our Microbiome.

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“This Webinar is filled with Bev’s energy, knowledge, and passion for diabetes that she replicates in all her teachings. She puts a demand on herself to be a mentor to all. Her information is well organized, full of current/relevant research, and helps CDCES’ view into the future as a changing world impacts diabetics. I find her to be the most exciting and engaging educator and … OUTSTANDING teacher!!” – recent participant

This one-hour complimentary journey will expand your view of how the trillions of bacterial hitchhikers profoundly influence our health. We will discuss how foods, the environment, and our medical practices have impacted our gut bacteria over time and strategies we can take to protect these old friends.

Webinar topics:

• Discuss the latest research on our microbiome
• State the relationship between gut health and diabetes risk
• Describe 3 strategies to get our microbiome back to better health.

---

Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE!  Sign up below!

[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]

Accreditation: Diabetes Education Services is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider 12640, and Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), Provider DI002. Since these programs are approved by the CDR it satisfies the CE requirements for the CDCES regardless of your profession.* 

The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.

November is National Diabetes Month. We are celebrating with our annual Gut Bacteria Webinar. Join Us!

FREE Webinar – Getting to the Gut, Meet Your Microbiome

Join the wonderment as we explore the role of our Microbiome.

---

“This Webinar is filled with Bev’s energy, knowledge, and passion for diabetes that she replicates in all her teachings. She puts a demand on herself to be a mentor to all. Her information is well organized, full of current/relevant research, and helps CDCES’ view into the future as a changing world impacts diabetics. I find her to be the most exciting and engaging educator and … OUTSTANDING teacher!!” – recent participant

This one-hour complimentary journey will expand your view of how the trillions of bacterial hitchhikers profoundly influence our health. We will discuss how foods, the environment, and our medical practices have impacted our gut bacteria over time and strategies we can take to protect these old friends.

Webinar topics:

• Discuss the latest research on our microbiome
• State the relationship between gut health and diabetes risk
• Describe 3 strategies to get our microbiome back to better health.

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Studying for the CDCES exam?
Join us for our FREE webinar
Preparing for the CDCES Exam 2020

November 5, 2020, from 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.  (PST)

Unsure about updates for the 2020 exam?

Coach Beverly offers this FREE webinar to help get you to prepare for the CDCES Exam. All her tips and tricks are meant to ease your mind and reflect the updates to the CDCES content outline.

Topics Covered Include:

• Implications of new certification name, CDCES for our specialty
• Exam requirement updates for 2020
• Exam eligibility and test format
• Strategies to succeed along with a review of study tips and test-taking tactics.
• We will review sample test questions and the reasoning behind choosing the right answers.
• Learn how to focus your time and prepare to take the CDCES Exam. We provide plenty of sample test questions and test-taking tips!

Instructor: Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM is a working educator who has passed her CDCES Exam 6 times. She is a nationally recognized diabetes expert for over 25 years.

See our Preparing for CDCES Resource Page >>

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Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE!  Sign up below!

[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]

Accreditation: Diabetes Education Services is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider 12640, and Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), Provider DI002. Since these programs are approved by the CDR it satisfies the CE requirements for the CDCES regardless of your profession.* 

The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.

Studying for the CDCES exam?
Join us for our FREE webinar
Preparing for the CDCES Exam 2020

November 5, 2020, from 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.  (PST)

Unsure about updates for the 2020 exam?

Coach Beverly offers this FREE webinar to help get you to prepare for the CDCES Exam. All her tips and tricks are meant to ease your mind and reflect the updates to the CDCES content outline.

Topics Covered Include:

• Implications of new certification name, CDCES for our specialty
• Exam requirement updates for 2020
• Exam eligibility and test format
• Strategies to succeed along with a review of study tips and test-taking tactics.
• We will review sample test questions and the reasoning behind choosing the right answers.
• Learn how to focus your time and prepare to take the CDCES Exam. We provide plenty of sample test questions and test-taking tips!

Instructor: Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM is a working educator who has passed her CDCES Exam 6 times. She is a nationally recognized diabetes expert for over 25 years.

See our Preparing for CDCES Resource Page >>

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Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE!  Sign up below!

[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]

Accreditation: Diabetes Education Services is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider 12640, and Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), Provider DI002. Since these programs are approved by the CDR it satisfies the CE requirements for the CDCES regardless of your profession.* 

The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.