Download

Free Med Pocket Cards

High-fat diet linked to negative changes in gut microbiome

A study published in Gut, an international journal in gastroenterology and hepatology, revealed that a diet low in carbohydrates and high in fat can lead to a detrimental shift in a person’s gut microbiome. Duo Li, PhD of the Institute of Nutrition and Health at Qingdao University in China, believes this study is particularly important to countries becoming more westernized.

“Evidence has shown that humans gut microbiota diversity and richness are reduced with consumption of high-fat diets compared with more traditional diets with a higher proportions of carbohydrates. Such diet-induced ‘dysbiosis’ in gut-associated microbial communities has been postulated as a major trigger of metabolic impairments associated with obesity.”

During the study, 217 healthy young adults were assigned to one of three isocaloric diets, low-fat, moderate-fat, and high-fat. Then changes in the participant’s gut bacteria and inflammatory triggers were observed.

The aim of the study was to examine whether a low-fat diet or high fat diet helps participants lose weight. The low fat group lost the most weight. But the most interesting finding was the the high fat diet lead to unfavorable changes to the gut microbiome.

“Li and colleagues found that the higher-fat diet was associated with changes to long-chain fatty acid metabolism, which resulted in higher levels of chemicals that could potentially trigger inflammation.”

Kelly Issokson, MS, RD, CNSC believes that the study is quite limited but shed light on an interesting observation for a younger population and fat intake.

“I will continue to recommend the Mediterranean-style eating pattern, which has been associated with favorable changes in the microbiota and metabolome as well as positive effects on health and wellness. A Mediterranean diet is rich in fiber, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes, olive oil (high in omega 3 fatty acids), and encourages moderate to low intake of fish, dairy, and meat,” Issokson said.

To learn more: High-fat diet linked to unfavorable gut microbiota changes – Healio


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″]

Victoza, now approved for children with Type 2

Novo Nordisk announced, liraglutide (Victoza) has been approved for young people with Type 2 diabetes between the ages of 10-17 years old.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the medication for children that was previously only approved for adults.

“As the first glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist approved for children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide (Victoza) provides this population with a new treatment option beyond metformin and insulin for the first time in 19 years.”

With the increasing rates of Type 2 diabetes in children, this offers clinicians a new treatment option outside of metformin and insulin.

“Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, normally occurring in people 45 years or older, but its prevalence among the younger population has climbed dramatically over the past 20 years.”

Type 2 diabetes, which was once considered a rare condition in the pediatric population, now accounts for about 15% to 45% of all newly diagnosed cases of diabetes in children and teenagers.

The approval of liraglutide (Victoza) could help considerably with the treatment of Type 2 in children.

Original Article: FDA approves Victoza® for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents aged 10-17 years – Novo Nordisk


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″]

Question of the Week | June 18, 2019

Our Diabetes Detective Team scans the diabetes news to discover the most relevant info that Diabetes Educators need in their daily practice. 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!

Question of the Week – June 18

Join us for the new Boot Camp Series, beginning July 1, 2019 to include changes to CDCES content outline.

The Diabetes Educator Online Boot Camp offers eight courses, plus a bonus course, “The Big Finish” Test Taking Boot Camp, for a total of 12.75 CEs.

You can also download our free CDCES Coach App!


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″]

Eating more fiber-rich foods decreases depression| Happy Mindful Monday

A new meta-analysis of clinical trials has concluded that healthy eating can “significantly” reduce symptoms of depression. Many scientists have noted a strong correlation between poor diet and mental health. The origins of mental health issues are quite complex, however some scientists have suggested that “diet is as important to psychiatry as it is to cardiology, endocrinology, and gastroenterology.”

In order to study the link between improving health and easing mental health symptoms, scientists examined data from over 46,000 people. The conclusions were substantial,  “the analysis revealed that every kind of dietary improvement “significantly reduced depressive symptoms.” However, the dietary changes did not affect anxiety.”

Another interesting take-away was that highly-specific or specialized diets may be unnecessary for the average individual, that just making simple changes can have a big impact. In particular, eating more nutrient-dense meals which are high in fiber and vegetables, while cutting back on fast foods and refined sugars appears to be sufficient for avoiding the potentially negative psychological effects of a ‘junk food’ diet,” said Dr. Joseph Firth.

Another study found another strong factor to reducing symptoms of depression is to incorporate exercise. Research revealed that this impacted women more than men.

Eating healthy can help reduce the risk of obesity, inflammation and fatigue all of which are closely linked to poor mental health.

To learn more:  A diet rich in fiber and vegetables can relieve depression – Medical News Today


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″]

Early Registration | Women Leaders in Diabetes Conference in Florida

Women Leaders in Diabetes Conference

Date: December 6th, 2019

Location: Tampa, FL

Our first Women Leaders in Diabetes Conference was such a huge success, we wanted to share our vision with the East Coast. We have decided to hold another conference on December 6th, 2019 in Tampa Florida!

Speakers include Tracey Brown, Nicole Johnson, Beverly Thomassian, Theresa Garnero and more!

Be the first to know! Please click below to sign up for early notification. Registration will be open shortly.


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″]

June Newsletter | How to Tell Your Story to Activate Change

June Newsletter now available!

by Coach Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM

This newsletter highlights hard earned wisdom shared by our keynote speakers at the Women Leaders in Diabetes Conference last month in San Francisco. We have summarized their concrete strategies to make meaningful connections and engage our audience, for the long run. Newsletter topic includes:

  • How to make an impression through storytelling
  • Infusing creativity into diabetes education
  • Scholarship application window now open for San Diego Diabetes Ed Course
  • A new and more effective way to introduce yourself

Click here to read our newsletter!

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″]

Mindful Monday | Can an afternoon nap lower blood pressure?

A study from Greece suggests that a midday nap may help not only increase energy levels but can lower blood pressure as well.

Napping can help boost energy levels during a slump but may have other positive health outcomes. A study conducted at the Asklepieion General Hospital in Voula, Greece, reported that midday naps help lower blood pressure.

Taking a “cat nap” can increase energy levels and lower blood pressure.

“Midday sleep appears to lower blood pressure levels at the same magnitude as other lifestyle changes. For example, salt and alcohol reduction can bring blood pressure levels down by 3 to 5 [millimeters of mercury (mmHg)],” reports Dr. Kallistratos.  

The study analyzed data from 212 participants with an average blood pressure 129.9 mm Hg. The group was split into half, one group who took mid-day naps and the other who did not. The researchers measured their blood pressure with monitoring devices.

The researchers also took into account other factors that may affect blood pressure such as stress, alcohol consumption, and other lifestyle choices.

“The researchers found that people who took a daytime nap saw a 5.3 mm Hg drop in systolic blood pressure, which, the researchers explain, is about as much as someone could expect when taking blood pressure medication or making certain lifestyle changes to lower blood pressure.”

This study is particularly important in helping reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event. If those with high blood pressure have the luxury of taking a nap, this can help with maintaining lower blood pressure and has no cost.

This is the first time the benefits of midday napping has been researched. The scientists believe this information can be valuable and worth continued study.

“Even though both groups [of participants] were receiving the same number of medications and blood pressure was well controlled, there was still a significant decrease in blood pressure among those who slept during midday.”

To learn more: Napping may be as good as drugs on lowering blood pressure – Medical News Today


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″]

Free Resource Friday! | Preparing for the CDCES Exam 2019 Available Now

FREE On-Demand Webinar | Preparing for CDCES® Exam

Join us to get ready to succeed a the CDCES Exam. This course will transform your test anxiety into calm self-confidence and test-taking readiness.

Topics covered include:

  • Changes in requirements for 2019
  • Exam eligibility and test format
  • Strategies to succeed
  • Review of study tips and test-taking tactics.

Coach Beverly reviews sample test questions and the reasoning behind choosing the right answers.

Intended Audience: This FREE webinar is designed for individual or groups of diabetes educators, including RNs, RDs, Pharmacists, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Physician Assistants and other health care providers interested in achieving excellence in diabetes care and becoming Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists®.

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.


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″]