“Short sleep increases risk for type 2 diabetes progression in adults with prediabetes”

Have prediabetes? Get some sleep! Getting 7-8 hours of sleep a night significantly decreases risk of advancing from prediabetes to diabetes.

To learn more, click here to view the article from Endocrine Today. 

 

 

Another strike against artificial sweeteners. Canadian researchers evaluated 36 studies and concluded, “there is no consistent proof that the sweeteners help reduce weight and we found at least some evidence that they do the opposite.”

Want to learn more? Check out this article by Consumer Reports “Low-Calorie Sweeteners May Contribute to Weight Gain”

Congrats to Hayley Mayo, MS, RDN, LD, CDCES

“After previously taking the exam and missing it by 2 points, I took some time off before getting back into studying. In spring of 2017, I found out about Diabetes Education Services and the “CDCES Coach” app through a coworker.  

Reluctantly, I checked it out and signed up for the level 1 and 2 Boot Camp series.  This was just what I needed to rebuild my motivation, confidence, and knowledge in all aspects of CDCES prep.  
The live and recorded webinars and practice tests were all there to use on my own time, as life allowed.  With two toddlers at home and a baby the way, (and a fulltime job), this speaks volumes.  
Whether you listen to a webinar on the computer at lunch, on the Ipad after the kids are in bed, or flip through tables in the app or screenshots of areas you struggle with during your walk on the treadmill, this program is beyond helpful.  I even printed and laminated the *free* medication cards and carried them with me everywhere.  
There is no doubt that Beverly’s coaching and the entire Diabetes Education Services program played a role in helping me pass the exam this time around!”

Hayley Mayo, MS, RDN, LD, CDCES

See what our program graduates are saying. Visit our CDCES^®Success Page and get ready to be inspired!

This article is a result of post-vacation curiosity that I couldn’t shake.

After 10 days of walking and eating my way through Venice, Florence and Rome, I began to wonder, “How do Italians succeed at keeping at such a healthy weight compared to Americans?”  

As a health care professional, I had some general guesses, but no science to back it up.

To solve the mystery, I consulted with Italians, did some Internet research and came up with some stats.  None of this gathered information has completely answered my question, but it did succeed at providing more “food for thought”. 

My guesses of how Italians keep lean:

• They walk and ride bikes to get places
• They drink more water (ancient water fountains)
• There are very few fast food chains
• People aren’t eating and walking at the same time
• Coffee is not infused with fancy sugary flavoring
• Less processed food and more fresh food choices
• A lot less sauces, gravies and dressings
• Meals enjoyed over time – more social connections

How do America and Italy compare on key indicators?

Activity level – according to data published in Nature and captured from smart phone data, Italians walk 522 steps more a day than Americans. This extra 522 steps a day translates to over 3,600 steps a week. In short, Italians walk 95 miles more a YEAR than Americans.

I am pictured here in Piazza San Marco in Venice during a rain shower. In Venice, walking is the primary form of transport, given that no cars are allowed on the roads, making it fantastically quiet and pedestrian friendly.

After dinner stroll “Passeggiata”

I asked a colleague of mine from Italy what she thought is the secret to Italians lower BMI.  She said, “I think it is because walking is ingrained in societal patterns; Italians walk daily as part of their routine. Even going for a “passeggiata” (an evening stroll) is a common experience. It is not a hard walk by any means – more of a see and be seen – but it gets families or couples or friends out in the evening.”

A recent study in Diabetologia exalts the benefits of the after dinner time stroll. 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.

However, the research didn’t look at changes in body weight, so I have no data to report on the impact passeggiata on BMI, yet.

New Complete Package

 The Complete Package includes:

• 1 – Year Subscription | Entire Course Catalog – Earn 45.55 CEs plus
• AADE Book Bundle 
• Earn 43.5 CEs

Only $669. Save over $100 
(Usual price $778)

This is our most economical package pricing yet!

1 – Year Subscription | Entire Course Catalog – Earn 45.55 CEs

Earn 45.5 CEs through the full spectrum of our 32 online course subscription, plus receive a comprehensive overview of the science and art of diabetes education. The complete package equips you with everything you need to achieve CDCES^® success.

AADE Desk Reference +
Review Guide

Not only are you purchasing the full online course bundle, the package also includes the Art and Science Desk Reference and Review Guide which are instrumental independent study tools.

AADE book bundle is our most popular combo which includes the AADE Art & Science Desk Reference and Review Guide.

These must-have resources for diabetes educators provides the 400 sample test questions plus the core knowledge and essential strategies and skills all educators need to facilitate behavior change in persons with diabetes.

See what our program graduates are saying. Visit our CDCES^® Success Page and get ready to be inspired!

Our Courses are Accredited

All CEs earned can be applied toward CDCES^®.

Keeping Healthy at Work

Similar to many professionals, the majority of our work here at Diabetes Education Services, is done sitting down at a desk. Anne and I decided to take action to keep healthy and stay energized. We wanted to share some of our activities with you and hear how you like to keep healthy in your workplace.

1. We compete for miles.  We both have FitBits so we track our daily steps. Plus, we share a LifeSpan Treadmill Desk, which helps us work and walk at the same time. Each of us take 2 hour turns walking and working at a clip of 2.5 miles per hour. We also walk while talking on the phone.

Anne Carter, Director of Operations on the left, me on the right on the Treadmill Desk.

2. We drink gallons of spa water. We doctor it up by adding mint, lemons, berries, watermelon and whatever else is in season. It’s a fun and refreshing way to keep hydrated through out the day.

3. We lift weights at 2pm. We noticed we were getting sluggish in the afternoon and our creativity slumps. To beat this brain drain, we do strengthening exercises with four pound weights and upbeat music. At first, we were slow to fully commit, but now, it’s just a part of our daily routine.

4. We are committed to sleep.
With our FitBits, we track our nightly sleep hours, including deep sleep, time awake, REM and light sleep. Sleep decreases stress hormones, promotes creativity and gives us stamina. We can sometimes be heard bragging about getting 8 plus hours of sleep and the benefits of a great pillow!

5. We share healthy snacks. We decided to skip baked goods and junk food in the office (except the occasional black licorice and chocolate covered almond). Instead, we munch on fresh fruit, nuts, goat cheese medallions and kombucha with chia seeds.

6. Most importantly, we cheer each other on! When we get a good night’s sleep, walk a little extra or complete a difficult project, we compliment each other on a job well done. If one of us doesn’t feel like lifting those weights, the other one just starts and pretty soon, we are back on track.

Prevention Campaign Resources

Help patients and communities prevent diabetes! 

Over 30% of Americans are living with prediabetes. Most don’t know they have it. As diabetes detectives, we can help find prediabetes and encourage people to take action starting today to prevent moving over to type 2 diabetes.

Looking for Tools to help patients and communities at risk of type 2 diabetes take action? Take a look at the newly updated  National Diabetes Prevention Program Toolkit >> 

Action now can make a difference.

The CDC Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) demonstrated a 58% reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes for those living with prediabetes. In the DPP, participants worked with educators in a group setting to lose 5%-7% of their body weight and increase physical activity to at least 150 minutes a week. These lifestyle changes yielded big successes.
Starting in 2018, Medicare will provide payment for participants attending approved DPP programs. 

This National Diabetes Prevention Program Website provides information on setting up a Diabetes Prevention Program, and lots of resource for educators and patients alike.  Check it out!

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This  blog explores the relationship between cancer and diabetes. We differentiate the risk of cancer for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Lastly, we explore the importance of diabetes educators in promoting lifestyle change and being involved early detection and cancer prevention.

Together, we can help those living with diabetes take early action and get appropriate screenings!

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
What’s the Link?

Cancer is the 2nd Leading Cause of Death in the United States.

Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death.

What is the intersection between diabetes and cancer?

In 2010, Diabetes and Cancer, a Consensus Statement was the first official report that brought this connection to light. Since that initial publication, our understanding of this co-relationship continues to evolve. This article highlights these newer findings.

There are risk factors that are common to both diseases:

• Aging
• Obesity
• Diet
• Physical Inactivity
• Alcohol
• Smoking
• Ethnicity

In addition, there are some possible mechanisms for a direct link. People with diabetes and cancer share:

• Inflammation
• Hyperglycemia
• Hyperinsulinemia

In both conditions, cellular inflammation exists and some researchers have suggested that the abundance of glucose feeds hungry tumor cells.

Cancer and Diabetes Rates

Type 1 Diabetes and Cancer – Risk Compared to general population.

Increased Cancer Risk of:       

• Stomach                        
• Liver
• Kidney
• Pancreas
• Endometrium

Decreased Cancer Risk of:

• Breast
• Prostate

Type 2 Diabetes and Cancer – Risk Compared to general population.
Increased Cancer Risk of:

• Liver
• Pancreas
• Endometrium
• Breast
• Bladder
• Colon

Decreased Cancer Risk of:

• Prostate

Prevention and Screenings are Critical
Since the link between diabetes and cancer seems to be due in part to shared risk factors such as obesity, diet and inactivity, we can continue to promote the usual lifestyle adjustments:

• Promote healthy diet, high in fiber, fruits and vegetables and decrease meat intake
• Increased activity and weight loss improves outcomes of type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer.
• Strongly encourage people with diabetes to undergo appropriate cancer screenings. This is especially true for people with type 2, who tend to receive less cancer screenings than those with type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes Medications and Cancer

Some diabetes medications should not be used in patients at risk of certain cancers.

• Pioglitazone (Actos) may increase bladder cancer risk.
• Dapagliflozin (Farxiga) should not be used in patients with bladder cancers.
• GLP-1 Receptor Agonists should not be used in patients at risk for medullary thyroid tumor.

Download Medication PocketCard for reference »

Metformin may have some cancer protective qualities.

Metformin is a plant based derivative. It originates from French Lilac, Galega Officinalis.

Results of a growing number of observational human studies suggest that treatment with metformin (relative to other glucose-lowering therapies) is associated with reduced risk of cancer or cancer mortality. 
There are trials underway to see if metformin is associated with slowing cellular aging and increasing telomere length. 

As diabetes educators, we can help increase awareness of the association between cancer and diabetes. We can inform and advocate to make sure patients get appropriate screenings with a focus on early detection.

Want to learn more?
Join us to explore the relationship between cancer and diabetes and to use a case study approach to determine best strategies to manage hyperglycemia during chemotherapy on steroids.

Diabetes and Cancer Course – Earn 1.5 CEs >>
This On Demand Presentation now available
Earn 1.5 CEs and learn more about this important topic.