With food costs on the rise, many people with diabetes are struggling to figure out how to pay for rent, food, and medications. According to the most recent statistics, about 20% of people with diabetes struggle with food insecurity.

In a 2021 Diabetes Care article, the stats are even worse for people with diabetes on Medicaid insurance. “Nearly one-third (32%) of Medicaid enrollees with diabetes were food insecure, 24 percentage points higher than their counterparts with private insurance (7%). The prevalence of food insecurity was highest among Medicaid enrollees with insulin-dependent diabetes; 44% were food insecure, over six times higher than their counterparts with private insurance.”

The irony is that those who would most benefit from nutritious and healing foods are least able to afford them.

As health care advocates, we can identify those with food insecurity by asking standardized questions like,

• “Within the past 12 months, we worried whether our food would run out before we got money to buy more.”

• “Within the past 12 months, the food we bought just didn’t last, and we didn’t have money to get more.”

If they say yes to one or both of these questions, we can help with problem-solving. In addition to having a ready list of food banks, free meal locations, and community refrigerators in the area, we can provide tips on saving money while choosing groceries.

If people have a way to heat up food, canned soups, chili, and beans are healthy lower cost options. In addition, warm breakfast cereals like oatmeal and cream of wheat can provide fiber and nutrition. Adding milk or some yogurt can add a boost of high-quality calories and protein.

Many people are unaware that frozen and canned fruits and vegetables often offer more robust nutrients than their fresh counterparts (depending on harvest and shelf-time). Fruit packed in corn syrup is often cheaper than fruit packed in its own juice. One solution to this is to rinse the fruit under running water to remove the sugary packing liquid. Frozen fruit with some yogurt is a delicious dessert. Many frozen vegetables can be reheated in the microwave and are perfect in combination with brown rice, pasta, or beans to create nourishing meals.

Sandwiches with tuna and veggies or peanut butter, or quesadillas with salsa and cheese are some lunch options. Canned beans, lentils, tomatoes, and other veggies plus imagination and seasonings can be transformed into healthy meals that are delicious any time of day while being easy on the budget.

Resources & information on Eating Healthy from the Academy of Dietetics and Nutrition

For National Nutrition Month, I encourage you to check out the Academy’s website and download their handouts which are available in 7 different languages. I have downloaded a few to share with you.

• Eating Right on a Budget (English)
• Eating Right on a Budget (Spanish)
• Smart Snacking Tips for Kids (English)
• Smart Snacking Tips for Kids (Spanish)

Here are some additional healthy eating tips:

• Buy foods in season and shop locally when possible.
• Start a container or backyard garden to grow food at home.
• Plan meals and snacks ahead of time.
• Use a grocery list and shop sales when purchasing food.

Food and Prescription Medication Assistance

Individuals with diabetes and food insecurity may qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a USDA program that provides food aid to those in need.

We can also help by evaluating if lower-cost medications are an option to help with prescription costs. If people need help affording their insulin prescriptions, they can visit InsulinHelp.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383).

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Join us for our Critical Assessment in Diabetes Care | Fine-Tuning Diabetes Detective Skills 2023

Airs Live March 28th at 11:30 am PST

Level 2 | Standards of Care Intensive Course

This course integrates the ADA American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) Standard of Medical Care in Diabetes on elements of a comprehensive medical assessment (Standard 4) of the individual living with prediabetes, diabetes, or hyperglycemia. Through case studies & real-life situations, we discover often hidden causes of hyperglycemia & other complications, such as liver disease, sleep apnea, pancreatitis, autoimmune diseases, fractures, and& more. We delve into therapy for complicated situations & discuss management strategies for other conditions associated with hyperglycemia such as Cystic Fibrosis, & Transplants.

Objectives:

1. Identify common yet often underdiagnosed complications associated with type 1 & type 2 diabetes.
2. State strategies to identify previously undiscovered diabetes complications during assessments.
3. Discuss links between hyperglycemia & other conditions including transplant, cystic fibrosis & liver disease.

All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information

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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.

Today, Lilly announced caps on out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 per month and price reductions of 70% for its most commonly prescribed insulins.

• Effective immediately, Lilly will automatically cap out-of-pocket costs at $35 at participating retail pharmacies for people with commercial insurance using Lilly insulin.
• People who don’t have insurance can continue to go to InsulinAffordability.com and immediately download the Lilly Insulin Value Program savings card to receive Lilly insulins for $35 per month.

In addition, according to their website announcement, Lilly is reducing the list price of insulins:

• Cutting the list price of its non-branded insulin, Insulin Lispro Injection 100 units/mL, to $25 a vial, effective May 1, 2023.
• Cutting the list price of Humalog^® (insulin lispro) 100 units/mL and Humulin^® (insulin human) injection 100 units/mL by 70% in the fourth quarter 2023.
• Launching Rezvoglar^TM (insulin glargine-aglr) injection, a basal insulin that is biosimilar to, and interchangeable with, Lantus^® (insulin glargine) injection, for $92 per five pack of KwikPens^®

“The aggressive price cuts we’re announcing today should make a real difference for Americans with diabetes. Because these price cuts will take time for the insurance and pharmacy system to implement, we are taking the additional step to immediately cap out-of-pocket costs for patients who use Lilly insulin and are not covered by the recent Medicare Part D cap” said David A. Ricks, Lilly’s Chair and CEO.

American Diabetes Association (ADA) Celebrates

“The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the leading voice advocating for insulin affordability and is working to ensure that all people with diabetes have access to the care they need. We applaud Eli Lilly for taking the important step to limit cost-sharing for its insulin, and we encourage other insulin manufacturers to do the same. While we have been able to help achieve significant progress on the issue of insulin affordability, including Medicare’s new out-of-pocket cost cap on insulin, state copay caps, and patient assistance developments from insulin manufacturers, we know that our work is not done. We will work to ensure that Eli Lilly’s patient assistance program is benefiting patients as intended and continue the fight so that everyone who needs insulin has access.”? — Charles “Chuck” Henderson, CEO of the American Diabetes Association

Insulin has grown increasingly expensive in recent years despite the introduction of new competition. Many people with diabetes ration their medicines or discontinue them because of the cost. More than 30 million Americans live with diabetes, and more than seven million of them rely on insulin.

Join the ADA’s Fight for Affordable Insulin!

Click here to learn more and get involved!

Medicare Caps Insulin at $35 a month

Read our blog here for more info

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FREE Insulin PocketCard with Complete Insulin Listing

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1. Adherence to the diabetes self-care plan takes time.
2. Motivating individuals to engage in their self-management is the first step.
3. Adult learners do best when provided a step-by-step demonstration.
4. Creating mutual agreement on the plan for next steps.

Click Here to Test your Knowledge

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Virtual DiabetesEd Training Conference

Whether you are new to diabetes or a seasoned expert, you’ll benefit from this virtual conference with the latest research plus critical content that you can immediately apply to your clinical practice.

If you are seeking a state-of-the-art review of current diabetes care, this course is for you. Our team has been fine-tuning this course for over fifteen years, and we know what you need. This program can also be a great addition to your CDCES or BC-ADM exam study plan.

Group discounts are available!*

Download Course Flyer | Download Schedule

All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information

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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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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.

For last week’s practice question, we quizzed participants on the new ADA Standards for lipid management. It was a complicated question and 43% of respondents chose the best answer. We want to clarify and share this important information, so you can pass it on to people living with diabetes and your colleagues, plus prepare for exam success!

Before we start though, if you don’t want any spoilers and haven’t tried the question yet, you can answer it below: Answer Question

Question:

JR is 67 with type 1 diabetes and was discharged a few months ago after receiving a coronary artery bypass. JR is on insulin pump therapy and a CGM, with a recent A1C of 6.7%.  Their blood pressure is 129/78.

Other recent labs include:

• LDL cholesterol of 67 mg/dL
• HDL 54 mg/dL
• Triglycerides 172 mg/dL
• UACR 23 mg/g  GFR 61

JR’s medications include: insulin, atorvastatin 80mg, atenolol 50mg, and aspirin therapy. JR has met with the dietitian and is trying to eat healthfully.  They have lost 5 pounds over the past few months.

Based on the 2023 ADA Standards of Care and JR’s history, which of the following is considered best practice?

Answer Choices:

1. Add an ACE or ARB
2. Keep LDL cholesterol less than 70 mg/dL
3. Increase fiber intake by 20%
4. Add ezetimibe (Zetia) or a PCSK9 

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Getting to the Best Answer

Answer 1 is incorrect. 23.93% chose this answer, “Add an ACE or ARB.” This was a juicy answer. However, since the B/P is on target at less than 130/80 and JR does not have an elevated UACR, adding an ACE or ARB is not indicated at this time.

Answer 2 is incorrect. 21.08% of you chose this answer, “Keep LDL cholesterol less than 70 mg/dL.” Since JR has ASCVD, as evidenced by their need for a coronary artery bypass, the LDL target is less than 55 mg/dL. This new intensified LDL target is based on the 2023 updated guidelines. Read our blog on New Lipid Guidelines here.

Answer 3 is incorrect. 11.99% of respondents chose this answer, “Increase fiber intake by 20%.” While increasing fiber intake is always a good idea, in may not be enough to help JR get their LDL to a target level of less than 55 mg/dl.

Finally, Answer 4 is correct. 42.96% chose this answer, “Add ezetimibe (Zetia) or a PCSK9.” Yes, this is the best answer, GREAT JOB. Since JR has ASCVD, as evidenced by their need for a coronary artery bypass, the LDL target is less than 55 mg/dL. Since they are already on max dose of atorvastatin at 80mg, the ADA Guidelines recommend adding an additional agent, either ezetimibe (Zetia) or a PCSK9 to further lower the LDL to reach a target of less than 55 mg/dL. Download Lipid Medication Cheat Sheet Here

Thank you so much for reading this “Rationale of the Week”. For more information on this topic, we encourage you to Read our blog on New Lipid Guidelines and Download Lipid Medication Cheat Sheet Here. We also invite you to join our Online Courses and Virtual DiabetesEd Training Program.

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Virtual DiabetesEd Training Conference

Whether you are new to diabetes or a seasoned expert, you’ll benefit from this virtual conference with the latest research plus critical content that you can immediately apply to your clinical practice.

If you are seeking a state-of-the-art review of current diabetes care, this course is for you. Our team has been fine-tuning this course for over fifteen years, and we know what you need. This program can also be a great addition to your CDCES or BC-ADM exam study plan.

Group discounts are available!*

Download Course Flyer | Download Schedule

All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information

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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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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.

With the approval of Tzield (teplizumab-mzwv), an anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, we can now offer children 8 years and older an opportunity to delay the progression to type 1 diabetes for up to two years or longer and improve beta cell function.

Teplizumab is the first disease-modifying therapy that impedes the progression of type 1 diabetes by binding to the surface of T cells to dampen the unwanted immune system response. It can delay the onset of symptomatic stage 3 type 1 diabetes in adults and children 8 years and older with stage 2 type 1 diabetes (see staging chart). 

It is administered by intravenous infusion once daily for 14 consecutive days and is expected to cost in the region of $200,000 for the course of treatment.

Teplizumab is indicated for the individual in stage 2 type 1 diabetes, or for those with two or more islet autoantibodies and abnormal glycemia but still asymptomatic. People with stage 2 type 1 diabetes, have a nearly 100% lifetime risk of progression to clinical (stage 3) type 1 diabetes and a 75% risk of developing the condition within 5 years.

Results from a landmark clinical type 1 prevention trial conducted by TrialNet showed that with a two-week course of teplizumab:

• 72% of people in the control group developed clinical diabetes, compared to only 43% of the teplizumab group.
• The median time for people in the control group to develop clinical diabetes (stage 3) was just over 24 months, while those in the treatment group had an average of 48 months before progressing to clinical diabetes (stage 3).

Insulin production in response to glucose was impaired in the participants before they enrolled in the trial. In participants given an inactive placebo, insulin production declined through the first six months of the study. But in those treated with teplizumab, insulin production improved after treatment.

These results suggest that a single course of Teplizumab may provide long-lasting improvement in beta cell function. This, in turn, could delay or even prevent the development of type 1 diabetes in high-risk individuals.

More Screening for Type 1 Needed?

The ability to halt the progression of stage 2 type 1 diabetes from progressing to symptomatic stage 3 diabetes brings the prospect of more wide spread screening for type 1 into sharper focus. Currently, 40-50% of new type 1 diabetes is diagnosed when the individual is admitted to the hospital in a life-threatening hyperglycemic crisis or DKA. Studies suggest, identifying children at risk of future type 1 could avert DKA presentation, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in hospital costs and allowing for early CD3 monoclonal antibody intervention.

Based on data from Trialnet, even though type 1 diabetes runs in families, 85 – 90% of people don’t have a first-degree relative with type 1 diabetes. That means, broader screening initiatives will be needed to identify those at risk for type 1 and eligible for the benefits of Teplizumab therapy.

Universal genetic or antibody screening in the future?

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is working toward a two-pronged screening approach.

This includes testing infants at birth with a genetic risk score combined with antibody screening. With this approach, providers can monitor kids with high genetic risk scores – based on human leukocyte antigen haplotypes, and provide education to family members regarding signs of hyperglycemia. In addition, antibody screening can help identify the stage of autoimmunity and help guide treatment action.

Researchers now have solid proof that immunotherapy can slow the progression of type 1 diabetes. This offers hope to conduct additional studies to extend the benefits of teplizumab, while continuing to test other immune therapies. Keep posted!

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Virtual DiabetesEd Training Conference

Whether you are new to diabetes or a seasoned expert, you’ll benefit from this virtual conference with the latest research plus critical content that you can immediately apply to your clinical practice.

If you are seeking a state-of-the-art review of current diabetes care, this course is for you. Our team has been fine-tuning this course for over fifteen years, and we know what you need. This program can also be a great addition to your CDCES or BC-ADM exam study plan.

Group discounts are available!*

Download Course Flyer | Download Schedule

All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information

---

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!

---

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. Start a GLP-1 RA Inhibitor to support weight loss.
2. Initiate metformin therapy.
3. Start pioglitazone (Actos) at a low dose
4. Suggest adding a SGLT-2i to lower glucose and protect renal function.

Click Here to Test your Knowledge

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Virtual DiabetesEd Training Conference

Whether you are new to diabetes or a seasoned expert, you’ll benefit from this virtual conference with the latest research plus critical content that you can immediately apply to your clinical practice.

If you are seeking a state-of-the-art review of current diabetes care, this course is for you. Our team has been fine-tuning this course for over fifteen years, and we know what you need. This program can also be a great addition to your CDCES or BC-ADM exam study plan.

Group discounts are available!*

Download Course Flyer | Download Schedule

All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information

---

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!

---

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.

To celebrate, we are spreading the love with a 15% discount off
ALL Online Courses & Virtual Conference from Feb 10-17, 2023. Use code LOVE15 at checkout.

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Want to learn more about Diabetes Care?

Virtual DiabetesEd Training Conference

Whether you are new to diabetes or a seasoned expert, you’ll benefit from this virtual conference with the latest research plus critical content that you can immediately apply to your clinical practice.

If you are seeking a state-of-the-art review of current diabetes care, this course is for you. Our team has been fine-tuning this course for over fifteen years, and we know what you need. This program can also be a great addition to your CDCES or BC-ADM exam study plan.

Group discounts are available!*

Download Course Flyer | Download Schedule

“Not just a course – it’s an experience”

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FREE Webinar – Preparing for 2023 BC-ADM Exam
Join Coach Beverly Feb. 20th @ 11:30 am PST

Join us to get ready to succeed at the 2023 BC-ADM Exam. This course will transform your test anxiety into calm self-confidence and test-taking readiness. Topics covered include:

• exam eligibility and test format,
• strategies to succeed
• study tips and test-taking tactics

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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!

---

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.

For last week’s practice question, we quizzed participants on low blood sugars and beer. 38% of respondents chose the best answer. We want to clarify and share this important information, so you can pass it on to people living with diabetes and your colleagues, plus prepare for exam success!

Before we start though, if you don’t want any spoilers and haven’t tried the question yet, you can answer it below: Answer Question

Question:

JL is 19 and has type 1 diabetes, drinks a “few beers” on the weekends with their college friends. JL uses an insulin pump, but mostly relies of fingerstick checks to monitor blood sugars.  According to their log, JL experienced a few low blood glucose levels the past weekend of 62, 49, and 51.

Based on the ADA Standards, what is the most important recommendation for JL? 

Answer Choices:

1. Check BG at least 4 times a day when drinking.
2. Make sure to eat carbs when drinking to avoid low blood glucose levels.
3. Get glucagon rescue medication.
4. Decrease or stop alcohol intake.

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Getting to the Best Answer

Answer 1 is incorrect. 12.70% chose this answer, “Check BG at least 4 times a day when drinking.” This is a juicy answer. Although monitoring will help JL detect low blood sugars, it doesn’t necessarily translate into taking action to prevent or treat these frequent bouts of level 2 hypoglycemia.

Answer 2 is incorrect. 32.37% of you chose this answer, “Make sure to eat carbs when drinking to avoid low blood glucose levels.” This is another juicy answer and a solid recommendation. For people with type 1 who experience hypoglycemia when drinking alcohol, eating 15gms of carb along with each alcohol serving can help maintain glucose levels. However, this answer is not based on the ADA Standards of Care.

Answer 3 is correct. 38.22% of respondents chose this answer, “Get glucagon rescue medication.” This is the BEST answer. According to the ADA’s Standard 6 on Glycemic Targets, “6.12 Glucagon should be prescribed for all individuals at increased risk of level 2 or 3 hypoglycemia, so that it is available should it be needed”. JL is experiencing Level 2 hypoglycemia with glucose levels dropping to 49 and 51. (see image from Glucagon PocketCard to right for Hypo Levels). While prevention of hypoglycemia is the long term goal, in the short term we need to make sure JL has access to a glucagon rescue med and that their significant others are trained on how to administer this life saving glucose booster.

Finally, Answer 4 is incorrect. 16.71% chose this answer, “Decrease or stop alcohol intake.” While we might want to have a conversation about alcohol and safety, the ADA Standards allow for 1 alcohol serving a day for women and 2 alcohol servings a day for men. In this situation, we might want to discuss adjusting insulin dosing and carbohydrate intake to prevent future bouts of hypoglycemia. However, for safety sake, JL will need a glucagon rescue med prescribed in case of a severe low blood glucose.

Thank you so much for reading this “Rationale of the Week”. For more information on this topic, we encourage you to join our Online Courses and Virtual DiabetesEd Training Program.

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Preparing for Diabetes Certification Exam?
It’s not too late to enroll in our Level 3 – Boot Camp 2023

Level 3 | DiabetesEd Specialist Boot Camp | 12+ CEs

Can’t join all the sessions live? No problem. Your registration guarantees you access to the recorded lectures for a full year.

This bundle is specifically designed for healthcare professionals who are studying for the Board Certified in Advanced Diabetes Management (BC-ADM) or the Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) certification exam.

Intended Audience: This library of critical information is designed for individuals or groups of diabetes specialists, including RNs, RDs, Pharmacists, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Physician Assistants, and other health care providers interested in staying up to date on current practices of care for people with diabetes and preparing for the BC-ADM or the CDCES certification Exam.

2023 Webinar Updates

1. Recorded & Ready to Watch – Class 1 – Diabetes – Not Just Hyperglycemia 1.75 CEs
2. Recorded & Ready to Watch – Class 2 – Standards of Care & Cardiovascular Goals 1.8 CEs
3. Recorded & Ready to Watch – Class 3 – Meds for Type 2 – What you need to know 1.5
4. February 16, 2023 – Class 4 – Insulin Therapy – From Basal/Bolus to Pattern Management 1.5 CEs
5. February 21, 2023 – Class 5 – Insulin Intensive – Monitoring, Sick Days, Lower
6. February 23, 2023 – Class 6 – Exercise and Medical Nutrition Therapy 1.5 CEs
7. February 28, 2023 – Class 7 – Screening, Prevention, and Treatment of Microvascular Complications
8. March 2, 2023 – Class 8 – Coping and Behavior Change 1.5 CEs
9. March 9, 2023 – Class 9 – Test-Taking Coach Session (48 Questions) No CE

All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information

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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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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.