The Newsletter dedicated to Diabetics And Living a Healthy Lifestyle September 24, 2002 - Issue #4

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CONTENTS:

- In The News
- Kitchen Corner: Do's & Don'ts of Healthier Eating for Type 2 Diabetes
- Feature Recipe: Chicken Rosemary
- In The Spotlight: Natural Treatments for Blood Sugar Control
- Diabetes Q and A: What Are "Free Foods"?
- Information About this Newsletter
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[]> In The News

DIET DRUG KEEPS DIABETES AT BAY

According to the findings of a recent study, the weight-loss drug Xenical, when
added to diet and lifestyle changes, may prevent or delay the onset of type 2
diabetes in obese people. This is the first time a weight-loss drug has been
found to do this in a high-risk population.

The new findings are from the Xendos trial, presented recently at the 9th. Int'l
Congress on Obesity in Sao Paulo, Brazil. More than 3,000 obese Swedish
people aged 30-60 were evaluated during the four-year trial. Those patients who
took Xenical along with implementing diet and lifestyle modifications, had a 37%
lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared with those who only imple-
mented diet and lifestyle changes.

Other reported findings of the study, led by Lars Sjostrom, MD, include:
- Those receiving Xenical showed significant improvements in cardiovascular
risk factors.
- Treatment with Xenical over the four-year study period was safe, effective and
well tolerated.
- Short-term and long-term weight loss was greater with the Xenical plus diet
and lifestyle combination.
- Long-term weight loss was successfully maintained. Almost twice as many
Xenical-treated patients had lost more than 10% of their body weight at the
end of the four-year trial period.

Xenical was approved in 1999 for weight loss, keeping the weight off, and
reducing the chances of regaining weight when used in conjunction with
reduced caloric diet. The drug works by preventing about one-third of the dietary
fat in food from being absorbed by the body.

DRUG SWITCHING RAISES RISKS

Switching from one medication to another, less expensive one due to prescrip-
tion drug plan restrictions may produce some unwanted side effects, especially
for older Americans. This is according to a recent survey that shows more than
one in five American adults over 50 have been prescribed or switched to a lower
cost substitute. 13% of them said the new drug was ineffective in treating their
condition.

The survey, commissioned by Project Patient Care, found that drug plan
formularies may have a negative impact on the health of Americans who rely on
prescription drugs. Formularies are lists of prescription drugs that are covered
on more favorable terms for the enrollee than other drugs.
[Source of article: WebMD Medical News]
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[]> Kitchen Corner

DO'S & DON'TS OF HEALTHIER EATING FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES

Food choice is simply a matter of habit. But if you have type 2 diabetes and want
to protect your health, you'll probably need to change some of your food choice
habits. Don't worry - it's easier than you think. You can start by following these
simple Do's and Don'ts:

FOR BREAKFAST:
Don't Choose: Eggs - Whole milk - White toast with butter - Orange juice - Pork
sausage - Doughnut

Do Choose: Oatmeal or cereal - Whole-wheat toast - Center-cut ham - Whole
wheat English muffin - Low-fat (1%) milk - Banana

FOR LUNCH:
Don't Choose: Hamburger - Hot dog on bun - Bologna (or other sliced deli meats)
sandwich - French fries

Do Choose: Skinless chicken - Sliced roast beef sandwich with lettuce, tomato -
Turkey sandwich with lettuce, tomato and mustard - Pretzels

FOR DINNER:
Don't Choose: Fried chicken - Steak - Broccoli with butter - Mashed potatoes -
Vegetables with butter - Pasta with cream sauce

Do Choose: Baked, broiled, or stewed chicken - Baked or broiled fish - Broccoli
with low-fat butter substitute - Medium baked potato - Steamed veggies - Pasta
with tomato sauce.

If you need help sticking to your new food changes, bear this in mind: Diabetes
affects an estimated 15.7 million adults in the U.S., and 90-95% of cases are
type 2 diabetes. Because obesity is a major factor for diabetes, your goal here is
to avoid as much fat as possible.
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[]> Featured Recipe

CHICKEN ROSEMARY (Diabetic Recipe)

1 (2 1/2 to 3-pound) broiler-fryer chicken, skinned and cut into serving pieces.
Salt and pepper to taste.
4 garlic cloves, finely minced.
1 teaspoon dried rosemary.
1/4 cup dry white wine.
1/4 cup chicken broth.

Preheat broiler. Season chicken with salt and pepper and place in broiler pan.
Broil 5 minutes on each side until lightly brown. Place chicken, garlic, rosemary,
wine and broth in a Dutch oven or large deep skillet. Cook, covered, over
medium heat for about 30 minutes or until tender, turning once.
Servings: 4

Nutritional information per serving:
Calories: 176, Protein: 25 g, Carbohydrates: 1 g, Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 75 mg,
Sodium: 130 g, Fat: 6 g.
Food Exchanges: 3 Low-Fat Meals.
[Source: Light and Easy Diabetes Cuisine, by Betty Marks]
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[]> In The Spotlight

NATURAL TREATMENTS FOR BLOOD SUGAR CONTROL

No supplements can replace insulin for people with type 1 diabetes. Even in type
2 diabetes, these supplements may reduce rather than eliminate medication
needs. Keep in mind that if these treatments are successful, you will need to
adjust your medication to avoid hypoglycemia. For this reason, working closely
with your physician is essential.

Considerable scientific evidence tells us that the mineral chromium can help
keep blood sugar under control in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. A typical dose
of chromium is 200 to 600 mcg daily. Other nutrients being researched include
the minerals vanadium and magnesium and the B vitamin biotin.

A number of herbs may be helpful in aiding blood sugar control as well. Some
scientific evidence supports the use of many of them, although none can be
regarded as fully established. Those most commonly mentioned include
Gymnema, Momordica, and Fenugreek. Gymnema sylvestre is typically taken in
doses of 400 to 600 mg daily of an extract standardized to contain 24% gymnemic
acid. Momordica charantia, also known as bitter lemon, is best taken in the form
of 2 ounces of fresh juice or 300 to 600 mg of the standardized extract daily.
Fenugreek is recommended at a dosage of 25 to 50 g daily of the defatted seed
powder, mixed with food or water. Other herbs with possible beneficial effects on
blood sugar control include garlic, onion, Pterocarpus, bilberry, Coccinia indica
and salt bush.

Several studies suggest that avoiding cow's milk in early infancy may help prevent
type 1 diabetes. For people whose blood tests suggest a high risk of this type of
diabetes, niacinamide supplements may also help prevent the disease. Type 2
diabetes may be preventable by careful attention to diet and exercise. Often loss
of weight results in normalization of blood sugar.
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Source of article: The Natural Pharmacist, by Kathleen Head, N.D.
About the author: Kathleen Head is a 1985 graduate of the National College of
Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, and has practiced naturopathic
medicine for 11 years in San Diego. She has served as Director of Educational
Affairs for the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians since 1990. Her
articles on a variety of health topics have appeared widely in both popular and
professional publications.
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[]> Diabetes Q & A

Q: WHAT ARE "FREE FOODS"?
A: Free Foods are foods or beverages with less that 20 calories. They have little
or no effect on blood sugar levels. Below is a list of "Free foods" and suggested
servings/quantities:

UNLIMITED SERVINGS:
Beverages: Bouillon - Broth - Club soda - Coffee - Drink mixes (sugar-free) -
Mineral water - Tea.
Seasoning: Flavoring extracts - Garlic or garlic powder - Herbs (fresh or dried) -
Mustard (prepared) - Soy sauce - Vinegar.
Sweet Substitutes: Gelatin desserts (sugar-free) - Gum (sugar-free) - Popsicles
(sugar-free) - Sugar substitutes.

LIMIT TO 2-3 SERVINGS A DAY:
Fruits: Cranberries (no sugar added) 1/2 cup - Rhubarb (no sugar added) 1/2 cup
Sweet Substitutes: Jam or jelly (sugar-free) 2 tsp - Whipped topping, 2 tsp -
Spreadable fruit (no sugar added) 1 tsp.
Condiments: Catsup, 1 Tbsp - Salad dressing (reduced calorie) 2 Tbsp -
Taco sauce, 2 Tbsp.
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