The Power of the Passeggiata!
“Walking in groups helps people stick with their exercise goals, study finds” – MINNPOST
Coach Beverly believes in the power of the Passegiata (walk in Italian). A common practice in Italy, an after dinner time stroll can have huge health benefits.
It seems that a short walk after meals is better for blood sugar than walks at other times of the day. Research indicates that short 10 – 15 minute post dinner walk is VERY effective at lowering post meal blood glucose, especially after higher carbohydrate meals. Which is great news for people with prediabetes and diabetes.
Why not join a group of walkers? According to an article in the Minnpost, there are many health benefits to walking in a group from physical to mental. Joining a walking group can add motivation and increase social interaction.
“There is good evidence that exercise adherence is enhanced through the use of social support,” write Meads and Exley.
To learn more about group exercise, enjoy the article from the Minnpost “Walking in groups helps people stick with their exercise goals, study finds”
Want to learn more about exercise & diabetes, enjoy our free exercise resource page:
Breastfeeding lowers diabetes risk for mothers
“There could be greater health benefits for women from breastfeeding than previously recognized,” said lead study author Erica Gunderson of the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland, California.
Compared to women who didn’t breastfeed at all, mothers who nursed babies for at least six months were 48 percent less likely to develop diabetes.
Rates of breastfeeding are on the rise. More than 75% of women initiate breastfeeding and by one year 25% are still breastfeeding. There are many wonderful benefits linked to breastfeeding, lowering the risk of allergies, obesity, respiratory infections and now diabetes!
In spite of the benefits of breastfeeding, some women may face barriers to success, including lack of social support, lack of paid leave and lack of onsite childcare. Since breastfeeding provides a tremendous benefit for the child, mom and society, we want to keep encouraging women to breastfeed and create environments that support success.
“Longer breastfeeding tied to lower diabetes risk for mothers” – Lisa Rapaport for Reuters Health
Check out this fantastic resource by “Mom loves best” – The 111 Benefits of Breastfeeding – For Babies, Moms & Everyone Else
Want to learn more about Women and Diabetes, enroll in our Level 2 – Women and Diabetes online course:
Level 2 – Women and Diabetes 1.0 CEs – $ 19.00
Women with diabetes are confronted with a variety of issues that require special attention, education and understanding. This course reviews those special needs while focusing on Gestational Diabetes and Pre-Existing Diabetes. Included are the most recent diagnostic criteria, management goals and prevention of complications during pregnancy. A helpful review for the CDCES® Exam and for those who want more information on Women with Diabetes.
We will be providing a Live Webinar Update on May 18, 2018.
ADA Standards Test Taking Tips Webinar
Getting Ready to Take the CDCES or BC-ADM Exam?
Having a thorough knowledge of the ADA Standards of Care will greatly improve your success!
Join our test taking coach Beverly Thomassian, for a live interactive webinar on February 5, 2018. She will review a variety of sample test questions inspired by the American Diabetes Association Standards of Care.
We are updating this 60-minute on-demand course, where Coach Beverly will explain how to dissect the question, eliminate the wrong answers and avoid getting lured in by juicy answers. There are no CE’s provided, but there is a lot of great info to help you get ready for the exam.
We provide 100 test questions in advance so you can take the test ahead of time. During the webinar, Beverly reviews as many practice questions as possible within the hour time frame. Get ready for success!
Coach: 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.
Buy the ADA Standards Test Taking Tips Webinar for only $29 or
Purchase the CDCES Exam Prep Toolkit for $49 and save 15%
The CDCES Coach Exam Prep Toolkit includes:
- ADA Standards Test Taking Tips plus Preparing for CDCES Webinar.
- 201 Exam Prep Test questions
- Lots of resources to help you prepare for success
Complete Toolkit Fee: $49.00 (Group Discounts Available)
Medical Support for Oaxaca Village
Medical Volunteer Trip to San Juan Atepec, Oaxaca; Mexico
June 16th – 27th, 2018
Our good friend and amazing diabetes advocate, Dr. Miriam Padilla, has organized a medical volunteer trip to Mexico in June of this year.
San Juan Atepec is a village of 2000 people of Zapoteca heritage that is found in the northern mountains of Oaxaca. They have a medical clinic whose one doctor, one nurse, and one dentist work extremely hard to provide the best care they can with the limited resources they have.
Those interested in volunteering should be fluent in Spanish. We are especially looking for health professionals in the following fields: Nutritionist, CDCES, Dietician, Psychologist, Psychiatry, Dermatologist, General Surgeon, Geriatrician, Pediatrician, Family Practitioner, OB, Gynecologist, Internist, Dentist, Alcohol and drug Rehab Specialist, Mental Health Therapist, Endocrinologist, Emergency Medicine Physician, NP or PA proficient in any of the above fields
Medical Volunteer Trip Brochure
Cost: $2000
First $1000 deposit due April 1st, 2018. Final payment due May 15th, 2018.
If you are unable to join, we are asking for donations. Your financial support would allow them to have better access to medications, medical supplies, and educational material for patients.
Thank you so much for considering this worthy cause! Beverly and Anne
Happy Birthday to Martin Luther King Jr.!
“Be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. If you can’t be a sun, be a star. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.”
—Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., from speech before a group of students at Barratt Junior High School in Philadelphia, October 26, 1967
https://www.biography.com/news/martin-luther-king-famous-quotes
Jan 2018 Newsletter
Jan 2018 ADA Standards 2018 Updates – Meds, CV Risk, PocketCards
We are excited to start 2018 off with a bang! The (ADA) 2018 Standards are out, 5 new diabetes Meds are approved, we’ve updated our Meds PocketCards and are we are celebrating a 20 Year Anniversary.
Plus, we invite you to apply for our “Making a Difference” Scholarship for our Diabetes Educator Course- $579 value.
Making a Difference Scholarship
Sign up for our FREE Monthly Newsletter Here
CV Disease Risk Management – ADA 2018 Update
CV Disease Risk Management – ADA 2018 Update
After the American Heart Association set a new B/P target of 130/80, the diabetes world held their breath to see if the American Diabetes Association (ADA) would follow suit and lower it’s BP target.
The ADA maintains the B/P target of 140/90, based on a comprehensive review of studies measuring the cost/benefit of blood pressure control in people with diabetes. They specifically summarized the ACCORD BP trial findings (see below paragraph*).
Current ADA Recommendations are as follows:
Hypertension, defined as a sustained blood pressure more than or equal to 140/90 is a major risk factor for both CV and microvascular complications. Numerous studies demonstrate that antihypertensive therapy reduces CV events, heart failure, and microvascular complications.
Screening and Diagnosis Recommendations
-
Blood pressure should be measured at every routine clinical visit.
Patients found to have elevated blood pressure (more than or equal to 140/90) should have blood pressure confirmed using multiple readings, including measurements on a separate day, to diagnose hypertension. -
All hypertensive patients with diabetes should monitor their blood pressure at home.
Blood pressure should be measured by a trained individual and should use the following guidelines:
- Measurement in the seated position, with feet on the floor and arm supported at heart level, after 5 min of rest.
- Cuff size should be appropriate for the upper-arm circumference. Elevated values should be confirmed on a separate day.
- Postural changes in blood pressure and pulse may be evidence of autonomic neuropathy and therefore require adjustment of blood pressure targets. Orthostatic blood pressure measurements should be checked on initial visit and as indicated.
*”In ACCORD BP, compared with standard blood pressure control (target systolic blood pressure <140 mmHg), intensive blood pressure control (target systolic blood pressure <120 mmHg) did not reduce total major atherosclerotic cardiovascular events but did reduce the risk of stroke, at the expense of increased adverse events. The ACCORD BP results suggest that blood pressure targets more intensive than <140/90 mmHg are not likely to improve cardiovascular outcomes among most people with type 2 diabetes but may be reasonable in selected patients who have been educated about added treatment burden, side effects, and costs.”
For more info please see the Cardiovascular Disease Management- American Diabetes Association Standard of Care – Jan 2018
Want to learn more about this and other topics?
- Join our Standards of Care Webinar – Jan 19, 2018
- Join our Meds Update Webinar – Feb 19, 2018
- Download CDCES Coach App – FREE
Healthy Diet Resources
Main Message from ADA – Individualize approach and focus on eating nutrient dense foods
The ADA Standards of Care, states that there is no ideal percentage of calories from carbs, protein and fat. The key is to individualize nutrition recommendations using a patient centered approach. Emphasis is on healthy eating patterns which include nutrient dense foods and consumption of less added sugar and processed foods.
The ADA recommends a variety of eating plans based on available research.
Examples of Healthful Choices include:
- Mediterranean Diet
- DASH Diet
- Plant-based Diets
- Diabetes Plate Method
Common theme for the best diets includes more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, fish and less processed foods and added sugars.
Resources
Best Diets for 2018 – Great NPR article that ranks diets from best to worse.
Joy of Six – Sugar Pledge Resource Page – Great tools and information to support eating less foods with added sugar.
Mediterranean Diet Info – from Oldways Website
Plant based eating resource page – Full of recipes, getting started resources and articles supporting the benefits of plant based eating.
DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stopping Hypertension). Here the NIH DASH Website provides research and links to patient and professional resources.
DASH Diet Info from US News
Oldways Website “inspiring good health through cultural food traditions”. Oldways is a nonprofit food and nutrition education organization, with a mission to inspire healthy eating through cultural food traditions and lifestyles. Includes cultural food info on plant based diets, Mediterranean Diet, Asian Diets and more. Lots of handouts and resources for patients and professionals.
Want more info?
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