Good News – Dark Chocolate Reduces Depression Risk and Stress
A study from the University College London, published in Depression & Anxiety showed an association between eating dark chocolate, and lessening symptoms of depression.
This study isolated the effects of dark chocolate only, avoiding variables such as socioeconomic status, which they believed could “confound the association between chocolate and depression.”
The study showed significantly lower odds of symptoms of clinical depression in study participants who ate dark chocolate as compared to other chocolate types.
The findings indicate a positive relationship between dark chocolate and lessened depression. However, they need to be confirmed in duplicate studies that carefully consider confounding variables.
In another study, researchers highlighted that highly stressed people who ate the equivalent of one average-sized dark chocolate candy bar (1.4 ounces) each day for two weeks experienced reduced levels of cortisol and catecholamine levels compared to highly stressed people who did not eat dark chocolate for 2 weeks.
Researchers also say dark chocolate appeared to have beneficial effects on the participants’ metabolism and microbial activity in the gut.
Bottom line – looks like we all need to eat more dark chocolate!
Read University College London Study on Chocolate Reduces Depression Risk
Read Dark Chocolate Lowers Stress Hormones from Web MD
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Free Resource Friday | Medication PocketCard Download
Download our FREE medication PocketCard today!
Each sheet can be downloaded individually to print out, or you can buy our two-sided, laminated, accordion fold PocketCard for only $3! (Bulk discounts available)
Our Medication PocketCards are packed full of fantastic information, including insulin and injectable medications with action times and dosing information, and oral medications with dosing and side effects.
Critical information on insulin pumps, calculations, and continuous glucose monitors can be found in our newest Technology Toolkit, premiering August 20 & 23, 2019 @ 11:30 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.
If you want cutting edge information on diabetes technology, problem solving and using formula to determine appropriate insulin dosing, we highly recommend this toolkit.
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Hybrid Insulin Pump Use Lowers A1c
The MiniMed 670G is the first FDA approved closed loop insulin delivery system. The pump in combination with a glucose sensor, provides and adjusts basal insulin based on an internal algorithm coupled with continuous glucose readings. This system has an added safety feature of suspending insulin delivery before blood sugars take a dive into dangerous territory.
Real world data is now being collected to evaluate user satisfaction and clinical outcomes. And the findings are positive, according to researcher Lisa T. Meade, PharmD, CDCES, professor of pharmacy at Wingate University in North Carolina.
Her research included a retrospective chart audit of adults with type 1 who used the Medtronic MiniMed 670G. The study evaluated A1c, time in range and user satisfaction. Of these, 33 participants completed a satisfaction survey after at least three months of use.
A1c Results
Based on the chart audit results, the average A1c in the study group dropped significantly. At six months it dropped by 0.9% vs. baseline (P=.015). At one year, the A1c dropped by 1.2% (P=.001) vs. baseline.
Time-In-Range and Satisfaction results
Based on the survey, the average satisfaction score was 3.79 (score range 1-5). These participants also experienced time-in-range benefits.
According to Meade, “We were encouraged with the mean time in range of 67%, but we also see room for improvement. The American Diabetes Association recommends the people using CGMs spend at least 70% of their time between 70 mg/dL and 180 mg/dL. Meade concluded that “The study did confirm the need for better office procedures to track patients starting on new technology and to ensure regular follow-up visits.”
Want to learn more about Diabetes Technologies? Join Coach Beverly for New Technology Toolkit – Earn 3.0 CEs Premiers August 20 & 23
When it comes to insulin pumps, sensors and calculation, many of us feel overwhelmed and unsure about diabetes technology management. Plus, with the vast amount of information, it may seem impossible to figure out what to focus on for our clinical practice and to prepare for the diabetes certification exam.
Coach Beverly invites you to enroll in our NEW Technology Toolkit Online Course Bundle, to keep you abreast of the rapidly changing world of Insulin Pump Therapy, Continuous Glucose Monitoring and calculations while preparing for exam success.
If you want cutting edge information on diabetes technology, problem solving and using formulas to determine appropriate insulin dosing, we highly recommend this toolkit.
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References:
Healio Endocrine Today – Aug 10. 2019
Meade LT, et al. P811. Presented at: American Association of Diabetes Educators; Aug. 9-12, 2019; Houston.
Disclosure: Meade reports she is a certified pump trainer for Medtronic.
MiniMed Insulin Pumps Could Malfunction on Flights
In July 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued alerts on Medtronic’s 600-series MiniMed insulin pumps.
It appears that when air pressure changes quickly, such as during take-off or landing, the device’s keypad buttons could temporarily become “unresponsive”.
This means that users may not be able to program a bolus or suspend delivery, since the buttons won’t temporarily press down. However, the basal insulin continues to be delivered.
The good news is that in most cases, when atmospheric pressures normalizes, the buttons will work again in about thirty minutes. Also, pump users can resolve the issue by taking off the battery cap and putting it back on again.
Medtronic is actively working on a long-term hardware solution for this rare situation.
The alerts, classified as a class II recall by the FDA, apply to the MiniMed 620G, 630G, 640G and 670G models. A class II recall is considered medium severity and is used when the probability of a serious adverse consequence is considered remote. The FDA and Medtronic are not requesting any devices be returned, they are just making sure Medtronic pump wearers are aware of this issue.
Read the complete article here.
New Technology Toolkit – Earn 3.0 CEs Premiers August 20 & 23
When it comes to insulin pumps, sensors and calculation, many of us feel overwhelmed and unsure about diabetes technology management. Plus, with the vast amount of information, it may seem impossible to figure out what to focus on for our clinical practice and to prepare for the diabetes certification exam.
Coach Beverly invites you to enroll in our NEW Technology Toolkit Online Course Bundle, to keep you abreast of the rapidly changing world of Insulin Pump Therapy, Continuous Glucose Monitoring and calculations while preparing for exam success.
If you want cutting edge information on diabetes technology, problem solving and using formulas to determine appropriate insulin dosing, we highly recommend this toolkit.
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Gratitude Associated with Improved A1c in Kids with Type 1
The University of Auckland in New Zealand has released a new study showing a positive association between gratitude journaling and A1c levels in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
60 adolescents were assigned either to 8 weeks of gratitude journaling, where they had to list three positive aspects of their life, compared to adolescents who did not journal gratitude (usual care). All participants had a baseline A1c of 8.4%.
After 8 weeks, those who were not assigned to gratitude journaling had an 8.9% at the end of the study. Those in the gratitude group experienced a lower A1c of 8.3%!
For full details of the study, visit Healio Endocrine Today.
Interested in learning more about adolescents and diabetes? Take our tots to teens course, where we cover special issues diabetes educators need to be aware of when working with children and their families.
When it comes to insulin pumps, sensors and calculation, many of us feel overwhelmed and unsure about diabetes technology management. Plus, with the vast amount of information, it may seem impossible to figure out what to focus on for our clinical practice and to prepare for the diabetes certification exam.
Coach Beverly invites you to enroll in our NEW Technology Toolkit Online Course Bundle, to keep you abreast of the rapidly changing world of Insulin Pump Therapy, Continuous Glucose Monitoring and calculations while preparing for exam success.
Technology Toolkit Airs August 20 and August 23
If you want cutting edge information on diabetes technology, problem solving and using formulas to determine appropriate insulin dosing, we highly recommend this toolkit.
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!
Free Resource Friday | Preparing for the BC-ADM Exam Webinar
FREE Preparing for the BC-ADM Exam Webinar
Join us on August 16 @ 11:30 a.m. Pacific Standard Time for this free webinar and watch your worries melt away!
This 1 hour webinar will review changes in BC-ADM requirements for 2019, exam eligibility, test format, and strategies to succeed along with study tips and test taking tactics. Coach Beverly stays after class to answer questions!
Ready to commit to studying?
Coach Beverly recommends our Live Seminar in San Diego or our 1 year subscription for those studying for the BC-ADM. Our Live seminar is a 3 day intensive, where four diabetes experts will help explain the complexities of diabetes in easy to understand terms.
Join us in San Diego and enjoy a long weekend in San Diego after studying hard! The live seminar includes 13 bonus courses and covers the following topics:
- Current State of Diabetes ADA Standards of Care
- Person-Centered Care for Type 1, Type 2, LADA, GDM
- Medical Evaluation, Risk Identification
- Diabetes Prevention
- Glycemic Targets Across the Lifespan
- Hypoglycemia
- Landmark Studies
- Medications for Type 2
- Pharmacology Algorithms – AACE and ADA
- Cardiovascular Monitoring and Management
- Getting Active
- Assessing and Supporting Coping Skills
- Insulin – The Ultimate Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Insulin Pattern Management and Dosing Strategies
- Sick Days, Monitoring Hospitalization and Lower Extremities
- Diabetes Tools for the Visually Impaired
- Microvascular Disease – Screening Guidelines and Risk Reduction
- Promoting Behavior Change – Flourishing with Diabetes
- Medical Nutrition Therapy
- Meal Planning – Hot to Eat by the Numbers
- Adjusting Meal Planning based on individual assessment
- Diabetes and Technology
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Oral GLP-1 RA lowers Weight and A1c
In a randomized phase 3a study published in Diabetes Care, those taking oral semaglutide monotherapy experienced superior and clinically significant improvements in A1c and weight loss compared to those taking a placebo.
Semaglutide (Ozempic) is currently only available as a once a week injectable, belonging to the GLP-1 Receptor Agonists classification. This class of medications is referred to as “Incretin Mimetics” since they imitate the action of gut hormones, causing satiation, post prandial glucose lowering and slowed gastric emptying. They have the added benefit of associated weight loss.
One drawback for people starting on semaglutide and all GLP-1 RAs, is that they currently can only be administered via injection.
Download FREE Diabetes Injectables PocketCard for more info on GLP-1 RAs.
The findings, based on the Peptide Innovation for Early Diabetes Treatment, or PIONEER, study, found that those who took either oral semaglutide 3 mg, 7 mg or 14 mg once a day for 26 weeks had significantly lower A1C and improved body weight, compared with those on placebo.
This phase 3a trial involving 703 people with type 2 diabetes provides hope that this medication class may be effective when administered orally.
The findings also showed that mild to moderate transient gastrointestinal incidents were the most common adverse events with the oral form of this GLP-1 receptor agonist.
Download FREE Diabetes Injectables PocketCard for more info on GLP-1 RAs. Join our Diabetes Educator Course for a 3 Day Review of Medications and More!
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August Newsletter | Diabetes Medications Approved & Supplements Reviewed
August Newsletter Now Available!
In our August Newsletter, we highlight several exciting new releases! Nasal Glucagon has been approved, generic Dapagliflozin has been released, and Cleveland Clinic has synthesized a chart of supplements and their efficacy for people with diabetes!
Read this month’s newsletter before August 16 to see how you could get a $50 discount.
August Newsletter Topics Include:
- Nasal Glucagon Approved
- Nutritional Supplement Chart for People With Diabetes
- 5 Steps to Stop Sitting & Increase Longevity
- Diabetes Educator Conference “Making a Difference” Scholarship Awarded
- Generic SGLT-2 Inhibitor Approved
- New Technology Course & Networking Mixer at San Diego Live Seminar
- Women Leaders Conference Save the Date – December 6
- CDCES Coach App® Rated by DANA | $50 Discount for App Survey
Click here to read our newsletter
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