Big bucks for insulin not worth it, says German government
Filed under: Drugs, Daily News
So the price of drugs just seems to keep on climbing. And sometimes I wonder if the sky really is the limit in terms of the prices we are expected to pay. I, for example, just filled a prescription and received a tiny bottle the size of a purse-pack-sized bottle of eye drops. And how much did I pay? $25. Yes, and that's with insurance. It's insane. But it's not happening everywhere. In western Europe, where publicly-owned, government-run health care systems are the norm, people are putting the squeeze on the big pharmaceutical companies. Let's look at insulin. A while ago there was a kerfuffle in the UK when government advisers overseeing the National Health Service basically said "no, thanks" to Pfizer's inhalable insulin, Exubera. Too expensive, they said. Now, Germany. This week, the biggies - Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi-Aventis - decided to slash the cost of their insulin products in Germany. Why? Officials from Germany's health ministry say the new fast-acting versions of insulin just aren't worth the money. That left Big Pharma with little option but to play ball anyway, by cutting prices by up to thirty percent. For Novo Nordisk, this means a projected loss of $14.5 million in sales this year, reports Bloomberg.com. According to this article, the German government is, in this regard, following in the footsteps of the UK and the US. In effect, this means trying to cut spending by carefully weighing the costs of specific drugs against their benefits, rather than just picking up the tab willy-nilly.
Bottom line? Market expert Mark Belsey says the big drug producers will have to adapt as the tide turns, spending a lot more time and money justifying the worth of their products. This new strategy, he says, will come at the expense of what used to be their main focus: creating and marketing fancy new mega-drugs.
Daily Pill Restores Natural Blood Sugar Balance
Filed under: Type 2, Adult Onset, Drugs, Daily News
The FDA has approved sitagliptin phosphate tablets to improve blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. The drug, named Januvia, is proudly presented to the diabetic community by Merck and Co.
JANUVIA, a once-daily pill, enhances your body's natural ability to balance blood sugar levels. Your body sends important messages to your pancreas to try to balance high blood sugar. In response, your pancreas makes more insulin and signals the liver to make less sugar. But a substance in your body called DPP-4 blocks some of these important messages. JANUVIA works by blocking DPP-4, so more of the important messages get through. It also helps your pancreas make more insulin and signal your liver to make less sugar. Another feature of this new drug is the ability to prevent your sugar from going too low. JANUVIA works only when your blood sugar levels are high, or out of balance. When your blood sugar levels are at a healthy balance, JANUVIA doesn't have an effect. Because JANUVIA stops working before your blood sugar gets too low, it is not likely to lower your blood sugar to a potentially dangerous level (hypoglycemia). One more bonus to JANUVIA is the fact that this drug did not show weight gain in most patients during clinical trials.
Could this be the answer for your diabetes dilemma? Next time you swing by your doctor's office, mention that new drug Merck released. I'm sure your doctor will be as thrilled to see your numbers controlled as you'll be to see your natural ability to control them restored. Best of luck to those who find their diabetic solution in JANUVIA!
Exercising Mind And Body
I’ve recently purchased a CD set called “The 5 Forces of Wellness” by Dr. Mark Harman. It’s made me realise that the food we eat has such a majorimpact on the quality of our health. Being healthy is not just amount being free from disease now, it’s about leading a full and active life and laying the foundation for preventing diseases in the future. By completing the questionnaires in the accompanying workbook I’ve gained a powerful insight into the current state of my health. The series helps you understand how you got where you are and what you can do to change things (sometimes in conjunction with your physician or other medical practitioner).
I realise my lifestyle has got me where I am today. If I want to be healthy, not just control my weight, then I have to make changes to my lifestyle. The person who has to take responsibility for my health is ME, not my physician.
I’m more determined than ever to focus on eating healthy, nutritious food. Preparing my own meals is a major key. Processed food should be the rare exception not the norm.
I thoroughly recommend the CD. I’m sure it will help you achieve not just weight loss but will inspire you to make changes to your lifestyle that will have a big impact on improving the quality of your health.
Don’t think you’ve got time to listen to an eight CD set? Follow my example and listen to a CD as you walk outdoors on on the treadmill. Forty five minutes will be up before you know it. Exercise your body and your mind. You’ll feel doubly virtuous!
Isobel Whytock 1Stop-Weightloss.com
Pomegranate Helps Diabetic Hearts
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Adult Onset, Diet, Research, Products
Pomegranate juice was shown to reduce the risk of arthrosclerosis in diabetics who participated in a study conducted over three months. The pomegranate juice also appeared to slow the absorption of unhealthy LDL cholesterol by immune cells.
People with diabetes have increased risk for atherosclerosis, contributing to coronary heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, and other circulation problems. The results of this study suggest that the antioxidants found in pomegranate juice may be beneficial in reducing these heart-related risks associated with diabetes. The sugars in pomegranate juice are attached to unique antioxidants, which actually make these sugars protective against atherosclerosis. Researchers examined the effects of drinking a concentrated pomegranate juice that is the equivalent to about a 6-ounce glass of freshly squeezed pomegranate juice for three months in 10 healthy adults and 10 adults with type 2 diabetes (who were not dependent on insulin therapy). Drinking pomegranate juice did not affect overall cholesterol levels, but researchers found it reduced the uptake of LDL (bad) cholesterol by immune cells, which is a major contributing factor to atherosclerosis.
Albeit a little tart, the reputation of the pomegranate falls heavily on the sweet side. One pomegranate delivers 40% of an adult's daily vitamin C requirement. Food manufacturers' favor using pomegranate extracts instead of the juice because it contains no sugar, calories, or additives. Factor in the folic acid, the free-radical destroying antioxidants, and the overall health benefits of the Chinese apple and ask your arteries if it's worth a 6 ounce glass. I'm guessing the answer is yes.
Keep your heart health a priority!
Filed under: Blogs
So The Cardio Blog is going into retirement, and since is this is my last post I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you all for reading! It's been a blast writing and reading and learning about the importance of taking care of ourselves and our heart health specifically, and of course I encourage you all to continue doing so. There are countless great resources online (even though we were voted #1!) and I thought I'd share a few that I personally like and plan to stay in touch with:A Hearty Life
The Heart Scan Blog
Mark's Daily Apple
That's Fit
Milk Fund makes a difference for diabetic mom
Filed under: Daily News
Hypothetical exercise: imagine you're the mother of a young family. You're struggling financially. You're diabetic. What do you need the most? What would help you get by? Um, how about medical supplies? Tuition breaks? Canned goods? No. Okay, cash? No. Well, then, I would have to guess...MILK. Yes, correct! The Daily Iberian of Louisiana and the local Social Service Center is sponsoring a fund to provide needy families with milk. They collected $912 this month, which includes a donation of over $300 from a local elementary school fundraising club. Says a representative from the Social Service Center, "The Milk Fund is doing very well. People have been very generous, but there's still a great need." This month, part of the money will provide a month's worth of milk to a diabetic woman who is taking care of her mom in addition to her three kids.
Now, I'm not knocking the idea of milk-gifting. It's very generous on the part of the fundraisers. But, milk? Never heard of that one before. But, hey, if you're in a position to make a donation, here's where to send your check: The Daily Iberian, P.O. Box 9290, New Iberia, LA 70563.
What's the deal with aspirin and strokes?
Filed under: Drugs, Daily news, Women Heart Health, Men Heart Health, Aging Heart Health
It's a pretty well-known belief that taking an aspirin a day will reduce your risk of stroke. Actually, it's pretty much regarded as a proven fact, although this thinking might have to be changed as it's also being said that Aspirin may in fact increase your chance of a stroke. According to experts, the risks associated with Aspirin outweigh the benefits, though the risks of taking Aspirin are not specified. Nonetheless, I think it's bad practice to take any sort of drug every day unless ordered by your doctor.This just goes to show that you can't believe everything you read or hear, even if it is regarded as fact.
Treating low blood sugar: Practical advice and a variety of choices
Filed under: Type 1, Childhood
When my older brother Mark was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at the age of 13, I was nine years old. I absorbed the basic science of high and low blood sugars, and how he needed daily insulin to regulate his blood sugar. But little did I expect an awaiting surprise.
One day my mom returned home from grocery shopping and pulled out two giant bags of Jolly Rancher hard candies. I remember the scene clearly. You see, I was a candy addict (still am). Big bags of watermelon Jolly Ranchers had my full attention.
My mom explained how this candy was purchased for Mark, in case he had low blood sugar at school. I nodded my head in full agreement, then began stuffing handfuls of them in my pocket every day or so thereafter. Yet, whenever the bag of Jolly Ranchers was nearly empty, my hand wavered, unable to steal the last candies. Deep inside my sugared-up, pre-adolescent consciousness, I knew better. Jolly Ranchers were my brother's mini-life preservers, just in case he floundered in the seas of low blood sugar.
The American Diabetes Association has a helpful publication for treating low blood sugar. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) develops when blood glucose drops below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl). Consuming 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates such as fruit juice, raisins, fruit or a couple pieces of hard candy are excellent ways to treat low blood sugar.
Glucose tablets or gels are another option, and may be a better choice. Hard candy most commonly contains sucrose, which is comprised of half glucose and half fructose. Fructose has a slower, less powerful effect on blood sugar compared to glucose. So 15 grams of a pure glucose tablet is roughly equivalent to 30 grams of sucrose. Also, many sucrose-containing foods are calorie-laden, adding to your waistline. There's more bang for your buck with glucose as it acts faster, has less calories and the dosage amount is clear, so you're less likely to overtreat and push blood glucose too high.
It is important to note certain type 2 medications -- Precose [acarbose] and Glyset [miglitol] -- slow simple sugar digestion, and type 2 diabetics on these meds should always treat hypoglycemia with pure glucose.
My own family chooses to treat low blood sugar in their own way. They tried glucose tablets, but found they did not reach for them. Considering they eat less sweets than pre-diabetes, low blood sugar is a time to indulge. My mom swears by orange juice and Dots and my brother prefers Starburst jelly beans. My dad keeps a stock of 8-oz. cans of sugar soda in the fridge -- he finds soda acts quickly and the mini-portion prevents over-medicating.
Tips to Help Control Food Cravings
"Can't find what you are looking for? Try Google Search" Low Calorie Feature Article Tips to Help Control Food CravingsAuthor: Meri Raffetto Food cravings can be triggered by various things including low blood sugar, stress, and other emotional triggers. The best way to take control is to understand how to balance your meals and snacks to avoid the traps that trigger food cravings. 1. Do not skip meals. Eat three meals a day and include snacks when needed. Try not to let more than 5 hours go between meals and snacks. This will help keep your blood sugar stable and avoid getting to the place where you are extremely hungry. Low blood sugar and extreme hunger can be a dangerous combination and almost always leads to overeating. Plan ahead and keep healthy snacks around. 2. Include protein, fat, and carbohydrate at each meal and snack if possible. Instead of bringing an apple for a snack, try having half an apple with some peanut butter or a slice of cheese. This will help keep your blood sugar more level throughout the day. 3. Keep food records. Food records are invaluable to help identify your eating patterns. For example, you may experience sugar cravings every afternoon at 3 p.m. This could mean that you need to eat an appropriate snack at this time or it could mean that what you had for lunch may not have been the right choice. It also could indicate a high stress time for you where a quick break might be in order. 4. Avoid very low calorie diets. Eating less than 1200 calories a day will likely lead to food cravings because it is basically a starvation diet. There are few people who need to be on this low of a calorie level and studies show people who go on very low calorie diets have increased food cravings and can become preoccupied with food. If you are unsure what calorie level is right for you, contact a Registered Dietitian in your area by going to www.eatright.org/cgi/findanrd3.cgi or get a metabolism measurement. Go to www.healthetech.com to find out who can run a metabolism measurement for you in your area. 5. Include whole grain carbohydrate sources with each meal. The fiber content of these foods helps to keep blood sugar levels stable to avoid any blood sugar drops which can lead to food cravings. Look for 3 grams fiber or more per serving on the nutrition label. 6. Clean up your environment! Avoid keeping trigger foods in your house or office if possible. It will be hard to choose healthy snacks when a bag of chips and a package of cookies linger on your shelf. The less temptation you have, the better. 7. Don?t be too rigid! Enjoy your favorite desserts and snacks once in a while. If you completely eliminate them, you will become focused on these foods and end up eating too much. Enjoy your favorite treats once in awhile. Once you have the craving: If you really crave a food (i.e. chocolate), you have two choices: 1. Allow yourself a small portion when you feel the craving (i.e. 2 Hershey kisses a day) or find a substitute (i.e. Swiss Miss sugar free hot chocolate or Chai tea). 2. Try to wait 15 minutes before giving in to a craving. Try to engage in another activity such as journaling, or taking a walk. Sometimes even a 5 minute distraction can help ward off the cravings. If you do give into a craving and eat more than you would have liked, do not beat yourself up. Try to learn from the craving. What could you have done differently to have prevented the craving? Then- Let it go! We are all human. Guilt will only make things worse and we have to allow ourselves learning curves. © Meri Raffetto, 2005 About the Author Owner of Real Living Nutrition Services, Meri Raffetto is a Registered Dietitian and a recognized professional in the area of nutrition and wellness. She has developed online weight management programs that focus on a healthy, non-diet approach to weight loss. For more information or to sign up for our free newsletter, visit http://www.reallivingnutrition.com.... Low Calorie Vegetable SoupLow Calorie Cookie RecipeHigh Fiber Low Calorie Food
Brit kids save diabetic dad in swimming pool incident
Filed under: Type 1, Daily News
Awww. Call me a sap, but I love these heart-warming rescue stories. A couple of British kids saved their diabetic dad recently from drowning. The man, Martin Limon (41), has diabetes and suffered a seizure while in a swimming pool. Talk about your bad timing. But wait! He had some good luck: his nine-year-old son saw him in time as he was sinking. The boy and his ten-year-old sister together dragged dad up to the surface of the water and held his head up until a lifeguard came to the rescue. They also helped emergency personnel treat their dad by telling them what he had had to eat for breakfast that day and what his blood sugar level had been. Said dad Martin, "I had been in the pool about five minutes when I started to feel a bit strange. I thought I would be okay but the next thing I remember is waking up in the ambulance." Now he's super-proud of his kids: "I know everybody thinks their kids are great, but what they did was fantastic."Now, someone probably would have saved this guy from drowning, kids or no kids. I mean, he was at a public swimming pool. There were other swimmers around as well as trained lifeguards and other pool employees. But it's still great that his kids reacted so quickly and appropriately. It must be absolutely terrifying for a little kid to see their dad going under the water like that. So it's cool that they did not panic and knew what to do.
Check out this adorable family photo, which I found posted on the Daily Mail's website.