Mrs. Cranky's Blog

Saturday, April 16, 2005

The Cranky Yankee April Newsletter

The Cranky Yankee April 2005 Newsletter

Why Low-Carb Diets Work

A new study by Temple University School of Medicine researchers has shown why the pounds melt so quickly on low-carbohydrate diets, and it's not related to water, metabolism or boredom. The research was conducted in a group of obese patients with type 2 diabetes who followed the Atkins diet.
According to lead researcher, Guenther Boden, MD, "When carbohydrates were restricted, study subjects spontaneously reduced their caloric intake to a level appropriate for their height, did not compensate by eating more protein or fat, and lost weight. We concluded that excessive overeating had been fueled by carbohydrates."
Almost 80% of diabetics are overweight or obese, compounding health risks such as heart disease and stroke. Boden wanted to examine how low-carbohydrate diets, which have been shown to produce rapid weight loss, affected weight, appetite and blood sugar in obese diabetics.
He discovered that study subjects did not eat less because they were bored with the food selection, and their weight loss was not attributable to water loss, two common speculations about low-carb diets. Further, weight loss could not be explained by a change in metabolism, another popular misconception.
The study, "Short-term effects of low-carbohydrate diet compared with usual diet in obese patients with type 2 diabetes," appeared in the Annals of Internal Medicine. It is the only study of the Atkins diet to have been conducted in the strictly controlled environment of a clinical research center where every calorie eaten and spent was measured.
After a week of typical eating, 10 obese patients with type 2 diabetes followed the Atkins diet for 2 weeks, with carbohydrates limited to 20 g per day and unlimited protein and fat.
"When we took away the carbohydrates, the patients spontaneously reduced their daily energy consumption by 1000 calories a day. Although they could have, they did not compensate by eating more proteins and fats and they weren't bored with the food choices. In fact, they loved the diet. The carbohydrates were clearly stimulating their excessive appetites," said Boden.
All patients stayed in the hospital for the length of the study to insure exact measurements of calorie intake and expenditure. In other studies of the Atkins diet, subjects were at home and reported their own diet and exercise, making it difficult to ensure accuracy.
In addition to the calorie reduction and weight loss, subjects experienced markedly improved glucose levels and insulin sensitivity, as well as lower triglycerides and cholesterol.
Treatment for diabetes centers on closely monitoring sugar levels, diet and medication. Weight loss can often reduce or eliminate the need for medication, including insulin.
Boden warned that the long-term effects of low-carbohydrate diets are not known. Whether other types of diets would have a similar impact also remains to be investigated.
This study was funding by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the American Diabetes Association. This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2005, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com.
To see more of the NewsRx.com, or to subscribe, go to http://www.newsrx.com.
© 2004 NewsRx.com. All Rights Reserved.;;©Copyright 2005, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com

Obesity = Die Younger?

CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) -- U.S. life expectancy will fall dramatically in coming years because of obesity, a startling shift in a long-running trend toward longer lives, researchers contend in a report published Thursday. By their calculations -- disputed by skeptics as shaky and overly dire -- within 50 years obesity likely will shorten the average life span of 77.6 years by at least two to five years. That's more than the impact of cancer or heart disease, said lead author S. Jay Olshansky, a longevity researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Arginine for increased insulin sensitivity

As reported in the journal Diabetes Care, a team of researchers from the UK and Italy mounted a study to examine the effect of arginine on insulin sensitivity.

The subjects included 12 type 2 diabetics with an average age of 58. None of the subjects were overweight and their only treatment for diabetes was diet modification. Ten non-diabetics served as control subjects, participating only in the testing portion of the study.

The 12-week study was divided into two phases. In phase one, subjects simply continued their normal diets for one month. In the second phase, subjects were randomly divided into two groups. One group remained on their diet and received a placebo for two months. The other group did the same for one month, but in the final month the placebo was replaced with an arginine supplement: three grams, three times each day. Insulin sensitivity was monitored throughout the study.

Analysis of the data showed a four percent increase in insulin sensitivity in the control group, compared to a 34 percent increase in the arginine group. And although the arginine didn't completely resolve insulin sensitivity issues, the change was a significant improvement. The arginine group as a whole also experienced a decrease in systolic blood pressure.

L-arginine's dietary sources include dairy products, meat, poultry and fish, as well as nuts, rice, whole-wheat, soy and raisins. It can also be taken in supplement form, available in most health food stores and through Internet sources.

If you talk to your doctor and decide that arginine supplements might help your insulin management, here are two supplementing tips from HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D.:

"In my opinion it is correct that arginine (or ornithine, or l-tryptophan, or l-carnitine, or whatever, if it's an amino compound) should not be taken with a protein meal. There are a limited number of receptors for protein substances (protein foods are composed of amino acids), so the supplement you paid good money for will be 'diluted' by the presence of other proteinaceous substances in the digestive neighborhood. That is not true of most other supplements, which should be taken with food.

"For serious users I go with 1000 milligrams twice/day to three times/day between meals, and I've found that most of the amino supplements work better with some degree of exercise."

One last note for those who are dieting and exercising; arginine has also been shown to facilitate muscle metabolism by reducing body fat while increasing muscle mass.

Tips for Eating Out

How to keep control and not succumb to restaurant temptations:
Kid-size it. If there are child-sized portions on the menu beyond the standard macaroni and cheese and hot dog fare, request a children’s size or a half-portion.
Call ahead. If you aren’t sure of the range of menu options at a restaurant, phone first and find out. Most will be happy to oblige you.
Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask your server if substitutions are available for menu items.
Analyze. Many popular national and regional eateries offer nutritional information for the asking, either online or at their restaurants.
Share dessert. Just can’t pass up the dessert cart? It’s okay to indulge once in a while, in moderation. Share one serving among several diners.

Monitoring your Blood Glucose
First you need a monitor:
There are a wide variety of blood glucose monitors to choose from, from stripped down single-reading meters to models with computer compatibility, alarms, and backlights. Think about the functions that are important to you. For example, if you like seeing trend data on your glucose readings, a meter that has extensive memory may be for you. People with vision impairment may prefer a large display, or an adaptive meter with voice reading capabilities. Size may also matter; if you prefer an unobtrusive glucose monitor that can be used discretely you’ll want something small and easy to handle. Your certified diabetes educator or pharmacist is a good source of information on what blood glucose monitor may be right for you.

Most meters on the market today read blood plasma, the same standard that is used in a clinical setting (many older meters provide whole blood readings). Consider the following features when deciding on a blood glucose monitor:
Size and user-friendliness. Is it convenient for your needs and easy-to-use?
Time to readout. How long does the meter take to display results?
Memory. How many test results will the meter’s memory hold, and does it have the capability of averaging results for a designated time period?
Trend data and computer compatibility. Does the meter interface with a computer and allow you to download meter results and generate blood glucose trend information?
Battery life and availability. Will battery power last a reasonable amount of time, and are the batteries easily available at a local store or must they be special ordered?
Blood sample size. Does the meter require a minimal amount of blood, or do you have to open a vein to get a reading?
Alternative site testing. Some meters allow you to test blood samples from the forearm and other sites beyond the fingertips.
Cost. Factor in the cost of test strips when evaluating your meter purchase.
Multitasking. Some blood glucose monitors double as blood ketone testers (Precision Xtra; MediSense) and insulin injection devices (InDuo; NovoNordisk)
Adaptive technology. If you have vision impairments, you may need a meter that “speaks” your results.
Bells and whistles. Glow-in-the-dark cases, backlighting, and swappable faceplates are just a few of the other features today’s blood glucose meters can offer.
What other supplies do you need?
All meters require test strips to operate—a small chemically treated strip that slides into the meter. After insertion, a drop of blood is placed on the opposite end of the strip that protrudes from the meter, and the meter reads the glucose level and displays the number on the screen.
Some monitors use test strip drums, which are self-enclosed spools of strips that automatically load without user intervention. Small children and adults who have difficulties with their fine motor skills may find this type of monitor easier to use.
You’ll also need a lancet (a small, fine needle) to get a blood sample for testing. Lancets are inserted into a lancet device—a spring-loaded mechanism about the size and shape of a pen. A dial allows the user to adjust the depth of the lancet stick. Typically there is a button that you push to release the lancet into a fingertip or other site to draw a blood sample. Lancets come in different gauges; the higher the gauge, the finer (i.e., thinner) the needle. Higher gauge needles are less painful, but they also may create a smaller blood sample.
Your blood glucose monitor may also come with control solution (for calibrating the monitor per manufacturer’s directions for use) and a carrying case.
Why self-test blood glucose levels?
Testing enables you to see how certain foods, activities, and situations may impact your blood glucose levels. It can also help you and your diabetes care team evaluate how effective, or ineffective, a new treatment routine or change in medication is. For people who take insulin, self-testing allows for more accurate dosage adjustments.

Target goals

The American Diabetes Association recommends the following general blood glucose testing goals for adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes:

Preprandial* (fasting, or before a meal)—90-130 mg/dl (5.0-7.2 mmol/l)
Postprandial* (1-2 hours after the start of a meal)—<180 mg/dl (<10.0 mmol/l)
The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists suggests slightly different targets:
Preprandial* - <110 mg/dl (6.1 mmol/l)
Two hours postprandial* - <140 mg/dl (7.8 mmol/l)

*Note: Measurements are for blood plasma; whole blood values would be approximately 15% lower.

These goals aren’t for everyone, and your personal testing targets may run higher or lower. Your diabetes care team will work with you to determine self-testing blood glucose goals based on your individual medical history.
How often should you test?
The ADA suggests that people with type 1 diabetes and pregnant women taking insulin test their blood glucose levels at least three times a day. There is no official recommendation for daily testing frequency for type 2 diabetes; however the ADA does state that testing should be frequent enough to achieve blood glucose goals, and both type 1 and type 2 patients should test more often when their treatment regimen is adjusted.


April Recipe: A healthy carrot cake
A sweet treat that uses olive oil, honey, and walnuts for a bit of omega-3 fats.
Tools: 2 mixing bowls, wooden spoon, non-stick 8-inch-square baking pan, measuring cups and spoons.
Ingredients:
2 cups firmly packed finely grated carrots
juice of 1 large (about the size of a softball) orange
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup light olive oil
1 cup honey, liquefied in microwave (30 seconds)
1/2 cup crushed or chopped pineapple, drained
1 cup unbleached white flour
1 1/2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
2 teaspoons baking soda (not baking powder)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 taspoon ground allspice
3/4 cup walnuts, chopped
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In one mixing bowl, stir together the carrots, orange juice, vanilla, olive oil, honey, and pineapple until well blended.
3. In the other bowl, stir together the flours, baking soda, cinnamon, and allspice. Then add the walnuts and mix them in.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients (second bowl) into the carrot mixture (first bowl), stirring until mixed (no clumps of the dry
ingredients).
5. Pour the batter into the non-stick 8" square baking pan and bake for 45-60 minutes until a knife inserted in the center comes
out clean. Remove from oven, let cool slightly (still warm), and remove from pan. (It will come out of the pan more easily if
it's still warm.)

Serves 9 (so don't eat more than 1/9 at a time)
Nutrients per serving:
333.6 calories (so take it easy)
5.3 grams protein
1.2 grams saturated fat
5.1 grams monounsaturated fat
2.5 grams polyunsaturated fat
61.6 grams carbohydrates
4 grams fiber
no cholesterol
6,902.6 IU Vitamin A
1.3mg/IU Vitamin E
8.4 mg vitamin C

Thanks to all who returned the survey. The winner of the eBook is Nancy Ziegner. Keep up with current news at our blogs:
http://mrscrankysblog.blogspot.com
http://crankyyankeesbiz.blogspot.com and
http://crankyside.blogspot.com
All three are available as RSS feeds. Contact admin@crankyyankee.biz for details. See you next month.

Personal note: Cranky's disability has been approved. It's just a matter of time before we start getting his checks. He's already on Medicaid, which has saved us big bucks on his prescriprions. Soon I may be able to cut back a little on all the overtime I've been working and get back to my re-edit of the Cranky Yankee website. Cranky hasn't been able to do much online, because the prednisone he's been on for years now has given him cataracts. We're hoping to get a referral soon to an opthalmologist who can remove the cataracts.
Thanks to all who've prayed for us. Mrs. Cranky

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