Thursday, December 26, 2013

Diabetic Recipe of the Week: Mini Cheese Quiches

Makes: 12 cups
Serving Size: 2 quiches
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
24 frozen phyllo dough mini shells
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup fat-free milk
1 Tbsp. melted butter
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup shredded 75% reduced-fat cheddar cheese (extra sharp if available)
Paprika (not included in nutritional analysis)
Preparation
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the shells on a baking sheet, and bake for 5 minutes.
2. Beat together the eggs, milk, butter, and salt. Once the shells are ready, distribute the cheese into each shell. Pour the egg mixture into each shell. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake for 25 minutes or until set.
This recipe is from Diabetes Forecast
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Monday, December 23, 2013

Exercises For Peripheral Neuropathy: Calf Raises

While standing at the kitchen counter, place two fingertips on the counter. Stand on one foot lifting the other heel off the floor, standing on your toes (as you strengthen your muscles, try to alternate your heels as shown in the picture above). Slowly lower your heel to the floor and repeat. Once you are on your toes control your lowering. Do not just drop down to the floor.
Repeat: 10-15 times, 2 repetitions each leg/2 times a day.
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Diabetic Recipe of the Week: Stuffed Celery Sticks

Makes: 27
Serving Size: 1 stick
Ingredients
4 oz. Neufchatel cheese
1/4 cup low-fat yogurt
1/2 cup water-packed crushed pineapple, well drained
1/2 cup grated or shredded carrot
2 Tbsp. thinly sliced green onion tops
27 5-inch-long celery sticks
Preparation
1. In a small bowl, mix together the Neufchatel cheese and yogurt until well combined. Stir in the pineapple, carrot, and onion until well combined
2. Fill each celery stick with 2 tsp. of the mixture. The mixture can be used immediately or covered and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before using. The filling will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
This recipe is from Diabetes Forecast.
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Monday, December 16, 2013

Is Cinnamon Beneficial For Diabetics?

Cinnamon. Yum. A favorite spice in baking, especially this time of year, may have some short-term benefits to diabetics, according to a recent article published in the Annals of Family Medicine.
An updated review of literature, including 10 randomized controlled trials, cinnamon was shown to reduce levels of fasting plasma glucose by a mean of 24.59 mg/dL.
Olivia J. Phung, PharmD, of the Western University of Health Sciences in Ponoma, California and colleagues also found that cinnamon had no significant effect on decreasing hemoglobin A1c levels.
"The studies we reviewed were small and had relatively short follow-up, from 4 to 18 weeks, which could be
the reason cinnamon had no effect on hemoglobin A1c," Phung said in an interview with MedPage Today.
Putting these results in context, the reduction in fasting plasma glucose levels of 24 mg/dL was "less than that achieved by metaformin monotherapy and somewhat more than the new oral agents, such as sitagliptin."
The review of the literature showed that cinnamon had an effect on lipid profiles, with a decrease of: 15.60 mg/dL in total cholesterol, 9.42 mg/dL in LDL cholesterol, and 29.59 mg.dL in triglycerides. Patients also saw an increase of 1.66 mg/dL in HDl cholesterol.
These changes are not as good as those seen when the patient takes statins, which tend to have a more dramatic lowering of LDL cholesterol.
"The evidence we have shows that the use of cinnamon leans toward having a benefit for diabetics, but we would like to see longer and larger studies," Phung said.
"Despite an increasing body of literature focused on the use of natural supplements in the treatment of diabetes, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) does not recommend their use because clinical evidence showing efficacy is insufficient, and they lack standardized formulations," the authors wrote as background to the study.
Phung said that more people are interested in knowing how adding natural supplements to their diet will decrease the symptoms of their chronic conditions.
Cinnamon has caught the attention of patients as a natural product because preclinical and clinical studies have shown it has an effect on insulin (although that data has been inconsistent). The reason for its healing natural properties could lie in cinnamon's active component, cinnamaldehyde, which "promotes insulin release, enhances insulin sensitivity, and increases insulin disposal."
A previous study done in 2008 by co-author William L. Baker, PharmD of the University of Connecticut, reviewed five randomized controlled trials and found no evidence of cinnamon's healing effects.
The new study included 543 patients and half of the trials required the use of oral hyperglycemic drug therapy. Patients were given either cinnamon extract or raw cinnamon powder, or a placebo. During the four to 18 weeks patients were required to take the cinnamon with food- some before, with, or after a meal.
"Cinnamon has promise in potentially being helpful when added to diabetes medication, but patients should talk to their doctor or pharmacist to see if it will go with their treatment regimen," Phung advised.
Patients who take cinnamon as a supplement should stick to the diagnosed amount, as too much cinnamon can be harmful. According to the study, potential side effects noted in animal studies included, "heptoxicity that results from coumarin isolates found in C cassia bark, decreased platelet counts, increased risk of bleeding, decreased serum total cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations."
Reference: MedPage Today
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Diabetic Recipe of the Week: Holiday Citrus Salad


Makes: 8 servings
Serving Size: 1 cup
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
Dressing, divided use
3 Tbsp. fresh orange juice
1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. orange zest
1/2 tsp. honey
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Salad
1 small pink grapefruit
2 medium navel oranges
3 cups baby spinach, arugula, or trimmed watercress
1/4 cup minced red onion
2 Tbsp. minced fresh mint
Preparation
1. For the dressing, in a small bowl, whisk together the orange juice, mustard, orange zest, and honey. Slowly pour a thin stream of the olive oil into the mixture and whisk to emulsify. Add the salt and black pepper; set aside.
2. Peel the fruit and remove any white pith. Cut the fruit crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices and remove and seeds. Cut each slice into quarters. Add the fruit to a bowl. Drizzle with 1 Tbsp. of the dressing.
3. Arrange the spinach on a platter. Top with the orange-grapefruit mixture. Drizzle the remaining dressing on top. Garnish the salad with the red onion and mint.
This recipe is from Diabetes Forecast.
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Monday, December 9, 2013

10 Tips For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Just because you have diabetic peripheral neuropathy does not mean that you are going to lose your feet. It just means that you have to be more vigilant and care when it comes to the care of your feet and ankle.
Here are some tips you can follow to avoid infection, injury, and amputation:
  1. Check your feet every day. If you can't check your feet yourself, have a spouse, child, or invest in a mirror. If you have a cut, abrasion, puncture wound, or piece of debris in your foot, you will not feel it.
  2. See a podiatrist. You should be seen at least once a year by a podiatrist and whenever you feel something is wrong, make an appointment. 
  3. Watch your step. Just because you don't feel any pain in your feet doesn't mean there isn't something going on. You can't trust your feet anymore to give you signs. Be careful where you are walking.
  4. Clear a path. Before you go to bed, make sure there is nothing on the floor, just in case you have to get up in the night. You could potentially step on something or stub a toe, both of which you wouldn't feel.
  5. Wear closed toe shoes. An exposed toe or foot has the potential for infection, harm, or injury, so wear closed toe shoes to prevent it from happening. 
  6. Give up bare feet. If you can't feel anything in your feet, there is no way you will be able to tell if you cut, scraped, or have a puncture wound. We all love the feeling of barefeet, but for those with diabetic neuropathy, it is something to completely avoid. 
  7. Trim toenails carefully. Infection can spread quickly when you nick your skin cutting your toenails. Ingrown toenails also puncture the skin and leave you vulnerable to infection. 
  8. Wear shoes that fit. Shoes that are either too big or too small can cause calluses or blisters, which can easily turn into a sore if you're not careful and attentive. Your shoes should offer support and stability.
  9. Take time to dry those feet! It's easier said than done when it comes to drying your feet, especially between your toes. Who thinks to dry their feet normally? But fungus loves wet, warm, moist environments. Yum. 
  10. Exercise. Exercise is an excellent way to increase the circulation to your feet and maintain an active lifestyle. 
Reference: Diabetes Monitor
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Diabetic Recipe of the Week: Tea-Infused Warm Pear-Fig Compote


Makes: 5 servings
Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
2 cups water
1 Earl Grey tea bag
3 cups peeled, thinly sliced firm, ripe pears (such as D'Anjou)
1/2 cup sliced dried figs
3 Tbsp. currants
2 tsp. honey
1 strip lemon peel (about 1/2 inch by 2 inches long)
1 small cinnamon stick
Preparation
1. In a medium saucepan, bring the water to boiling. Remove the pan from the heat, add the tea bag, and steep for 5 minutes. Remove and discard the tea bag.
2. Add the pears, figs, currants, honey, lemon peel, and cinnamon stick, and bring to boiling. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for about 15 to 20 minutes until the pears are tender. Remove the lemon peel and cinnamon before eating.
This recipe is from Diabetes Forecast.
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Monday, December 2, 2013

Diabetes Puts You At Risk For the Flu

It's that time of year again! Everyone's favorite cold and flu season!
If you're a diabetic, it is especially important you take precautions and measures to ensure you do not fall sick.
"Diabetes can weaken your immune system against the flu, and it also puts you at an increased risk of flu-
related complications," said Fernando Ovalle, M.D., professor of medicine at the UAB School of Medicine and senior scientist in the UAB Comprehensive Diabetes Center.
Ovalle has the following recommendations for diabetics and parents of diabetics to prevent against the flu:
  • Get a flu vaccination shot. Those with diabetes cannot take the nasal spray vaccine.
  • Talk with your endocrinologist about the pneumonia vaccine.
  • Keep track of your blood glucose, which can be affected by illness.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water.
  • Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
  • Get plenty of sleep and exercise, manage your stress, drink lots of fluids, and eat healthy food.
If you think you've gotten the flu, follow these tips:
  • Call your doctor immediately. Symptoms of the flu include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, muscle/body aches, headaches, and fatigue. In children, vomitting and diarrhea can be common.
  • Take your diabetes medication every day.
  • Continue to test your blood glucose every four hours.
  • Stay hydrated by drinking lots of calorie-free liquids.
  • Eat normally.
  • Weigh yourself every day. Losing weight without trying is a sign of high blood glucose. 
"Experiencing the flu is no fun for anyone, and especially those with diabetes," says Ovalle. "Be vigilant and smart, especially when it comes to washing your hands. And if you ever have any questions or concerns, contact your health care provider."
Reference: News Medical
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Diabetic Recipe of the Week: Turkey Pot Pie


Perfect for turkey leftovers from Thanksgiving!
Makes: 12 servings
Serving Size: 3 by 3 inch square
Preparation Time: 40 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
Butter-flavored cooking spray
1 lb. white meat boneless turkey breast, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 cups fat-free,  reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 tsp. olive oil
10 oz. cremini mushrooms, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 3 cups)
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1 lb. small red potatoes, unpeeled and cut into quarters
5 sprigs fresh thyme
3 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 large onion, diced
1 1/2 cups 1% milk
1/2 cup half-and-half
6 Tbsp. flour
8 oz. frozen peas, thawed
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
8 sheets (9 by 14 inch) phyllo dough
Preparation
1. Coat a 9 by 13 inch pan with the cooking spray; set aside. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, toss the turkey with the garlic powder and pepper, and set aside.
2. In a 2-quart saucepan, bring the chicken broth and 1/2 cup water to boiling. Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, garlic, and salt. Cook for five minutes, until the mushrooms are soft. With a slotted spoon, remove the mushrooms from the skillet; set aside.
3. Add the potatoes and thyme to the boiling chicken broth. Lower the heat to medium. Simmer the potatoes for about 8 minutes, just until tender. With a slotted spoon, remove the potatoes and set aside; discard the thyme sprigs. Add the carrots and onion to the stock, and simmer for 4 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove the carrots and onions; set aside.
4. Add the turkey to the stock and simmer for 3 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove the turkey; set aside. Cook and reduce the stock for 7 to 10 minutes, until you have about 1/2 cup.
5. Meanwhile, whisk the milk, half-and-half, and flour until very smooth. When the stock is reduced, slowly add the milk mixture to the stock, constantly stirring , and cook until the sauce is thickened. Add the sauce to the cooked vegetables and turkey, stir in the peas and parsley, and mix well. Place the mixture in the prepared pan.
6. Spread one sheet of the phyllo dough on a clean surface. Cover the remaining 7 sheets with a clean, slightly damp towel to avoid cracks. Coat the first sheet with the cooking spray. Add another sheet on top of the first and spray with cooking spray. Continue stacking and coating the sheets. Carefully lift the stack of phyllo (use a spatula if necessary) and place it over the turkey-vegetable mixture. With a sharp knife, make 3 diagonal slashes across the top of the crust.
7. Bake the pie, uncovered, for about 30 minutes, until golden brown. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
This recipe is from Diabetes Forecast
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Exercises For Peripheral Neuropathy: Chair Squat

Using a firm chair with armrests, position your feet in a split stance with one foot at the base of the chair and the other foot placed comfortably in front and slightly out to the side. Slowly transfer your weight forward until your legs are supporting your body weight. Slowly press up with your legs standing. To lower yourself, slowly reach for the chair with your hips. Touch the chair with your hips and press back up for your next repetition. It is important that you do not plop in the chair or rest between repetitions.
Repeat: 10-15 times, 2 repetitions/2 times a day.
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Diabetic Recipe of the Week: Turkey Stroganoff

4 servings
Serving Size: 1 cup
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
8 oz. wide egg noodles
2 tsp. poppy seeds
Olive oil cooking spray
12 oz. fresh turkey breasts, cut into thin strips
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
2 large portobello mushrooms, stemmed and thinly sliced
1 Tbsp. canola oil
1 1/2 Tbsp. flour
1 1/2 cups reduced-sodium beef broth
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 1/2 Tbsp. fresh minced parsley
Preparation
1. Cook the noodles according to the package directions. Drain the noodles and return them to the pot. Add the poppy seeds and toss gently.
2. Coat a large skillet with olive oil cooking spray. Add the turkey and onion, toss with the salt and pepper, and saute for five minutes, until the onions are soft. Add the mushrooms and saute for three to four minutes, until the mushroom are soft and the turkey is cooked through. Transfer the turkey-vegetable mixture to a bowl; set aside.
3. Heat the canola oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add the flour and cook for one minute. Gradually add the broth and cook for about four minutes, stirring with a wood spoon, until the sauce thickens.
4. Reduce the heat to low. Blend in the sour cream and mustard. Return the turkey-vegetable mixture and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Cook just until heated through, do not boil.
5. Divide the noodles among individual plates and top with the Stroganoff. Garnish with fresh parsley.
This recipe is from Diabetes Forecast.
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Early Menstruation May Lead To Diabetes Risk

A new study conducted in eight European countries suggests that there is an association between the time girls begin menstruation and an increased risk for developing diabetes in adulthood.
The study, published in the November issue of Diabetes Care does not outright say that girls who begin menstruating early will definitely have diabetes in adulthood, but it does make a connection.
"The body is undergoing many changes during puberty," says Cathy Elks, a research fellow at the MRC epidemiology unit at the University of Cambridge in England. "Our research, as well as previous related studies, suggests that the biological factors implicated in the timing of development may have a role in the development of type 2 diabetes, despite the fact that these processes occur many years before the manifestation of disturbed [blood sugar] control."
Elks and colleagues looked at the medical records of more than 15,000 women and found that those who began menstruating between the ages of 8 and 11 were 70 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those began menstruation at age 13, the average age.
Other studies have shown that girls who start puberty early are more likely to develop obesity, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. Obesity, which is common among girls who get their first period, may certainly be a factor, but it's not the reason. Even when statistics were adjusted to remove the effects of obesity, researchers found that when puberty was started early, girls still had a higher risk of developing diabetes.
"These findings suggest that early puberty has an effect on metabolic disease risk, which is partially mediated by an increased BMI (a measurement of body fat based on height and weight), but also has some direct effect through other biological pathways which act independently of adioposity (body fat)," the study authors wrote in a news release to the American Diabetes Association.
The authors did note that have a period after the age of 15 did not offer greater protection from type 2 diabetes in adulthood.
Reference: Philly.com
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Diabetic Recipe of the Week: Mashed Sweet Potatoes With Pineapple and Spices


8 servings
Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 65 minutes
Ingredients
3 medium sweet potatoes (about 5 oz. each)
1 can (20 oz.) crushed pineapple in its own juice, drained of juice except for 1/4 cup
1 Tbsp. melted butter
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground allspice
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
Salt and fresh-ground black pepper to taste
Preparation
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Prick the surface of the sweet potatoes with a fork. Place the sweet potatoes directly on the oven rack with a foil-lined baking sheet placed on the rack directly below it. Roast the sweet potatoes for about 45 minutes or until fork tender.
2. Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven, and set aside until cool enough to handle. Scoop the flesh from the sweet potatoes, discarding the skin. Add the flesh to a large bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and mash well.
3. Place the sweet potato mixture into a four-cup casserole dish, and bake at 400 for 20 minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned.
This recipe is from Diabetes Forecast
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Tom Hanks Diagnosed With Diabetes

Tom Hanks is one of the biggest stars in the movie industry. With such noted films as Forrest Gump, The Green Mile, and classics like Big, he may appear he has the perfect life.
But as we all know, appearances are not always what they seem. Hanks was recently on the Late Night With David Letterman and announced that he has Type 2 diabetes.
The two-time Oscar winner was on the show to promote his new movie Captain Phillips and told Letterman that he had suffered from symptoms of Type 2 diabetes for more than two decades, but only recently received his diagnosis.
The topic came up by chance, as Letterman commented how much slimmer the actor looked. Hanks said he had a bit to go before he meets his doctor's goals.
"I went to the doctors and they said, 'You know those high blood sugar numbers you've been living with since you were 36? Well, you've graduated. You've got type 2 diabetes, young man'," Hanks said.
"My doctor said, 'If you can weight what you weighed in high school, you'll essentially be healthy and not have Type 2 diabetes," Hanks said. "Well, I'm gonna have Type 2 diabetes because there is no way I can weigh as much as I did in high school."
Letterman asked Hanks how much he weighed in high school, and Hanks promptly responded, "96 pounds. I was a very skinny boy."
Hanks spoke to Yahoo Movies about his diagnosis and had this to say, "Hey, I don't have Type 1 diabetes! Type 1 diabetes is a really, really serious thing. I don't have that. I have high blood sugars and Type 2 diabetes is not going to kill me. But I just have to eat right, and exercise, and lose weight, and watch what I eat, and I will be fine for the rest of my life.
"Part of it's hereditary, without a doubt. I guess I just got it in me. But it's really about a lifestyle, man... I'm 57 years old and for the last 20 years I've been carrying around probably 15 or 20 extra pounds in my regular life. When I work, a lot of times I have to lose weight and I do that, but in my regular life I was not eating right, and I was not getting enough exercise. But by the nature of my diet and that lifestyle- boom!
"The end result was high blood sugars that reach levels where it becomes Type 2 diabetes. I share that with a gajillion other people. The best thing you can do that for that and the thing that will completely negate its effects is eat right and lose weight. So that's what I'm doing."
Hanks urged people to get checked out and not be afraid of the disease.
"It's not a huge tragedy, but you know there are people out there that are saying, 'Geez, what's wrong with me? I don't understand. I feel like this, I get sluggish, I get down, I'm beginning to lose feeling in my feet.' When it's essentially from high blood sugars and they might be flirting with Type 2 diabetes themselves."
Reference: Yahoo
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Diabetic Recipe of the Week: Fruited Whole-Wheat Bread Stuffing

14 servings
Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Ingredients
1/2 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup raisins, dark or golden
1/2 cup pitted sliced prunes (also called dried plums)
1/2 cup dried apricots
3 cups boiling water
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 large sweet onion, diced
3 celery stalks, chopped
2 tsp. dried ground sage
1 lb. day-old whole-wheat bread, crusts removed and cubed
3 cups boiling low-fat, reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup toasted walnuts
Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the cherries, raisins, prunes, and apricots. Add the boiling water and set aside for 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and saute for eight to nine minutes until onions are translucent and celery is soft. Add in the sage and saute for one minute. Add the onions and celery to a large bowl.
3. Add the bread to the bowl and mix. Pour over the broth, and add the eggs and mix well. Add in the walnuts and season with salt and pepper.
4. Pour the stuffing into a large 9-by-13 inch casserole dish and bake, covered, for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake for 15 minutes more until top is browned.
This recipe is from Diabetes Forecast.
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Hospital Readmissions Tied To Patient Education

Patients who visit the hospital and are diagnosed with diabetes and given inpatient diabetic education (IDE)
have a much lower frequency of hospital readmission within 30 days, says a new study published in the October issue of Diabetes Care.
Sara J. Healy, M.D., from Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus and colleagues conducted an analysis using information from inpatients who had a discharge diagnosis of diabetes and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) >9 percent who were hospitalized between 2008 and 2010. Inpatient diabetic education was given by certified diabetic educators or trainees. The 30 day analysis involved 2,265 patients and the 180 day analysis included 2,069 patients.
Healy and her colleagues found that the frequency of readmission to the hospital within 30 days was significantly lower for those who received IDE than for those who did not (11 percent versus 16 percent). Even when sociodemographic and illness-related factors were adjusted, the relationship still existed. In the model the researchers used, Medicaid and longer stays were independent predictors of readmission. Inpatient diabetic education was also linked to decreased readmissions within 180 days, but it was a thin correlation. In the final IDE readmission model used by researchers, independent factors were seen for no IDE, African American race, Medicaid or Medicare insurance, longer stay, and lower Hba1c with increased hospital readmission.
The authors concluded that, "Formal IDE was independently associated with a lower frequency of all-cause hospital readmission within 30 days; this relationship was attenuated by 180 days."
Reference: Renal and Urology News
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
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Thursday, October 31, 2013

Diabetic Recipe of the Week: Jalapeno Corn Chowder

Serves 4
Serving Size: 1 1/4 cups
Ingredients
2 tsp. unsalted butter
1 cup diced white onion
1 cup diced red bell pepper
1 jalapeno pepper with some seeds, halved vertically and thinly sliced crosswise
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
3 Tbsp. unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups natural fat-free chicken broth
1 cup evaporated fat-free milk
1 lb. frozen white yellow corn, thawed
2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh cilantro
Preparation
1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, and cumin. Cook, stirring, for 10 minutes or until the onion and pepper are tender.
2. Add the flour and stir one minute. Vigorously stir in the broth and evaporated milk. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil while stirring. Add the corn and cook for two minutes. Top with cilantro to serve.
This recipe is from Diabetes Forecast.
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
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Monday, October 28, 2013

Exercises For Peripheral Neuropathy: Seated Dorsiflexion

While seated on the front half of a chair, place both feet flat on the floor. Gradually pull the toes and ankle up as high as you can. Slowly let them down. To make this exercise more challenging, position your feet closer to your body.
Repeat: 10-15 times, 3 repetitions/2 times a day.
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Diabetic Recipe of the Week: Gingery Pumpkin Mousse

6 servings
Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Chilling Time: 1 hour
Ingredients
1 (1 oz.) package sugar-free, fat-free vanilla pudding mix (try also French vanilla or banana)
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 1/2 cups cold 1% milk
1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
1 cup fat-free whipped topping
3 gingersnap cookies, crushed into crumbs
2 Tbsp. finely chopped crystallized ginger
Preparation
1. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry vanilla pudding mix with the cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Slowly whisk in the milk, whisking for two minutes. Add in the pumpkin, and continue to whisk until the mixture begins to set. Fold in the whipped topping. Cover and refrigerate for one hour.
2. For each serving, put 1/4 cup of the pumpkin mousse in a dessert cup or dish. Add a layer of gingersnap crumbs. Add another 1/4 cup of the mousse on top of the crumbs. Sprinkle the top of each with 1 tsp. chopped crystallized ginger.
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
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Monday, October 21, 2013

Timing Of First Solid Food Linked To Diabetes

Moms: now you have even more to worry about.
In children already at a higher risk for developing type 1 diabetes, missing the right time for introducing solid foods into your baby's diet may increase their risk.
According to Jill Norris, Ph.D., MPH, of the Colorado School of Public Health in Aurora and her colleagues, compared to exposing children to solid food between the ages of four and five months, both exposing them too early and too late increases their risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
It is not all solid food however, that is associated with this risk. Specifically, the food group associated with a higher risk was rice or oats when exposed after the age of six months, says the study, published online in JAMA Pediatrics.
"These results suggest the safest age to introduce solid foods in children at increased genetic risk for type 1 diabetes is between 4 and 5 months," they wrote, noting that these findings are consistent with what the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends for solid food introduction.
Previous studies looking at the connection between the timing of solid foods and risk of type 1 diabetes have had conflicting results. Norris and her colleagues looked at data from the Diabetes Autoimmunity Study in the Young (DAISY), a longitudinal investigation of risk factors for the disease.
The new study looked at 1,835 children who either had testing for diabetes susceptibility alleles or had a first-degree relative with type 1 diabetes. Only those followed from birth with complete information about solid food exposure were included.
When solid food was introduced too late or too early, there was a greater risk of developing type 1 diabetes after adjustment for human leukocyte antigen genotype, having a first-degree relative with the disease, maternal education, and type of delivery.
As well, early exposure to fruit, but not fruit juice, also increased the risk for the disease, but the association became nonsignificant after accounting for other food exposures.
"The risk predicted by early exposure to solid foods might suggest a mechanism involving an abnormal response to solid food antigens in an immature gut system in susceptible individuals," the authors wrote. "As the increased risk is not limited to a specific food, it is possible many solids, including cereals and fruits, contain a common component that triggers an immature response."
However, the relationship between late exposure to solid foods and the risk for type 1 diabetes "may be related to the larger amounts given at initial exposure to older children. Also, if solid foods are introduced too late, when breast milk alone no longer meets the infant's energy and nutrient needs, nutrient deficiencies may occur, which may play a role in increasing... risk," said researchers.
"Additionally, the increased risk predicted by late exposure to solid foods may be related to the cessation of breastfeeding before solid foods are introduced, resulting in a loss of the protective effects of breast milk at the time of foreign food antigens," they wrote.
Reference: MedPage Today
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
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Thursday, October 17, 2013

Diabetic Recipe of the Week: Onion and Herb Frittata

6 servings
Serving Size: 1/6 of frittata
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 27 minutes
Ingredients
1 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
1 cup chopped onion
3 whole eggs
5 egg whites
1/2 cup fresh minced basil
2 Tbsp. minced fresh chives
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. hot sauce
2 Tbsp. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Preparation
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large ovenproof skillet, heat 1/2 Tbsp. of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and saute for 5 to 7 minutes, until soft. Remove the onion from the skillet; set aside.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine and beat the whole eggs, egg whites, basil, chives, salt, pepper, and and hot sauce. Fold in the sauteed onion.
3. Add the remaining oil to the skillet; turn the heat to medium low. Pour in the egg mixture and let it cook undisturbed for about 10 minutes, until the bottom is set.
4. Transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake the frittata 10 to 12 minutes, until the top is set. Turn the oven to broil. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese on top of the frittata. Broil just until the cheese melts and the top is golden brown.
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
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Monday, October 14, 2013

Diabetics Spend $85,000 To Treat the Disease

What would you do with $85,000? Pay off your mortgage? Buy a new car? Go on vacation? Invest?
For diabetics, that is how much they will spend during their lifetime treating their disease. It is an astronomical amount to think of spending on any one thing, let alone a disease.
A new study, aimed at understanding the financial cost and return on delaying and preventing diabetes came up with that numerical figure. The study, conducted by researchers at the CDC and Research Triangle International, NC, found that the earlier diabetes is diagnosed, the greater the lifetime costs. As well, researchers found that women spend more in treating the disease than men, but the lifetime costs for women are higher than they are for men.
"Anything that can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes could lead to a sizeable reduction in healthcare costs in the future," researchers said.
The goal of the study was to understand the financial return of preventing and delaying diabetes and to find out about the long term financial impact of new diabetes cases.
Xiaohui Zhuo, Ph.D. of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, and lead author of the study, said, "This has become increasingly important given the rapid increase of the number of the incident cases in the US and worldwide."
Researchers designed a simulation model that was used to determine the costs of treating type 2 diabetes and its complications over a lifetime in those who were recently diagnosed.
Based on the model, researchers found that a man diagnosed with diabetes between the ages of 25 and 44 will spend about $124,700 treating the disease over his lifetime. A woman who is diagnosed with diabetes in the same age range will spend $130,800 over her life. When diabetes is diagnosed later in life, the costs decrease.
Of those costs, roughly 53 percent is spent on treating complications that occur because of diabetes and 47 percent is spent on complications that occur because of damage to large blood vessels that can lead to fatal heart disease and strokes.
"This is a different approach to a calculation of the costs of diabetes," said Robert E. Ratner, M.D., chief scientific and medical officer at the American Diabetes Association. "A better way of doing it is to note that in 2012, in the US, we actually had $176 billion in direct medical costs treating people with diabetes," he said. "This is up 40 percent in 5 years."
Medications, visits to doctors, and testing supplies fall under direct medical costs, and also includes treating complications like stroke, amputation, and eye damage.
Reference: Science World Report
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
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Thursday, October 10, 2013

Diabetic Recipe of the Week: Apple Cinnamon Couscous Breakfast

8 servings
Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 18 minutes
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups fat-free milk
1 Tbsp. agave nectar
1 12/ tsp. cinnamon
1 cup couscous
1 small apple with peel, grated
1/4 cup roughly chopped dried cherries
1/4 cup unsweetened apple juice
2 Tbsp. toasted chopped walnuts
Preparation
1. In a saucepan, bring the milk, agave nectar, and cinnamon to a boil. Add the couscous, cover, and turn off the heat. Let the couscous rest and absorb the milk.
2. When the couscous has absorbed the milk, add the grated apple, dried cherries, apple juice, and walnuts.
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
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Monday, October 7, 2013

Will A Mediterranean Diet Lower Your Diabetes Risk?

A new study published in Diabetologia reports that a Mediterranean-style diet and low-carbohydrate diets
may help reduce the risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.
A Mediterranean diet consists of fish, fruits, vegetables, beans, high-fiber breads, whole grains, and olive oil and is based on the eating habits in Greece, southern Italy and Spain. The diet reduces your consumption of red meat, cheese, and sweets.
In the new study, published August 15th, researchers followed 22,000 people in Greece for more than 11 years, 2,300 of whom developed diabetes.
The researchers looked at the participants' eating habits and developed a 10-point Mediterranean diet score. Those with scores above six were 12 percent less likely to develop diabetes than those who had Mediterranean diet scores of three or lower.
People who ate the highest amount of carbohydrates were 21 percent more likely to develop diabetes than those with the lowest carbohydrate intake. Those with a high Mediterranean diet score and low carbohydrate intake were 20 percent less likely to develop diabetes than those with a low Mediterranean diet score and a high carbohydrate intake.
"The role of the Mediterranean diet in weight control is controversial, and in most studies from the Mediterranean countries the adherence to the Mediterranean diet was unrelated to weight," said Dr. Carlo La Vecchia and colleagues from the Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacological Research in Milan, Italy.
"This suggests that the protection of the Mediterranean diet against diabetes is not through weight control, but through several dietary characteristics of the Mediterranean diet," they said in a journal news release. "However, this issue is difficult to address in cohort studies because of the lack of information on weight changes during follow-up that are rarely recorded."
While the study showed an association between a Mediterranean diet and a lowered risk for developing diabetes, it did not show a cause-and-effect.
Reference: WebMD
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
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Thursday, October 3, 2013

Diabetic Recipe of the Week: Chicken Noodle Soup

14 servings
Serving Size: 1 cup
Preparation Time: 25 minutes (not including time for stock to cool)
Cooking Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Ingredients
Stock
1 rinsed whole chicken (4 lbs.), skinned (except for the wings) and cut into parts
2 large unpeeled onions, quartered
4 medium unpeeled carrots, cut into chunks
4 large celery stalks, coarsely chopped
6 sprigs fresh parsley
6 black peppercorns
3 bay leaves
Salt to taste
Soup
2 tsp. olive oil
1 large onion (10 oz.), chopped
2 large carrots, peeled and sliced diagonally into 1/2 inch pieces
1 large celery stalk, sliced diagonally into 1/2 inch pieces
8 oz. wide egg noodles or linguine (whole wheat, if desired)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley
2 tsp. minced fresh thyme
Preparation
1. To prepare the stock, place the chicken parts in a heavy stockpot. Add the onions, carrots, and celery. Add in three quarts of water, and bring to a boil. Skim the surface to remove any gray residue.
2. Add the parsley, peppercorns, bay leaves, and salt. Partially cover the pan, and simmer on low heat for 1 hour, 20 minutes. Remove the chicken parts, and set aside to cool.
3. Line a large colander with cheesecloth, and strain the broth, pressing on the solids to extract all the juices. Discard the vegetables, and reserve the stock, about 10 cups. Add the stock to a large container, and refrigerate for several hours. When it has cooled, spoon off and discard any solidified fat. The stock should be clear.
4. To prepare the soup, remove and discard all the bones from the chicken parts. Cut about 1 lb. of the chicken meat into small pieces for the soup. Save any remaining chicken for another use. Wrap the leftover chicken in an airtight container, and keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 to 3 days.
5. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil. Add the onion, and saute for 5 minutes. Add the carrots and celery, and saute for 5 minutes. Add in the reserved stock, and bring to a boil. Add the egg noodles or linguine, reduce the heat to medium, and simmer for 6 to 7 minutes. Stir in the cooked chicken. Season the soup lightly with salt and black pepper. Sprinkle in fresh minced parsley and thyme.
This recipe is from Diabetes Forecast.
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Monday, September 30, 2013

Diabetics Should Prepare For Storms, Hurricanes, Heat

If the past two years have been an indication of how our weather is going to be in the future for those of us in
New England, we should do all that we can to be extra-prepared. The past two years we've experienced two hurricanes and a Nor'easter no one will likely forget any time soon. And how about that heat wave we experienced in July? We're still cooling down.
This means that everyone, especially diabetics, should be prepared for weather's worst. One of the reasons diabetics should take extra caution is because they can become dehydrated more easily than those who do not have the disease.
When a storm hits, it also makes it more difficult to obtain supplies, like water, insulin, food, and batteries, items necessary for diabetics, says medical supply specialist Marc Kaplan.
"Most diabetics know to bring extra diabetic supplies when they leave the house in the summer since they know they can easily become dehydrated and are even more susceptible to heat exhaustion when their sugar levels get low," said Kaplan, a representative of Save Rite Medical.
Many diabetic supplies can be affected by the weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold. This makes it difficult for diabetics to go out and get other supplies when these weather conditions are in play.
Most important for diabetics is for them to "have an emergency bag prepped and ready at all times," which should have "enough medicine and supplies for several days," says Kaplan. If diabetics are unsure what they should pack in their supply bags, they should consult with their pharmacist.
During heat waves diabetics are hospitalized more frequently, went to the emergency room more often, and had higher mortality rates than those who do not have the disease. In a survey, 1-in-5 respondents said they don't take precautions until the temperature rises above 100 degrees. Most didn't know what a heat index meant and how it affects them.
Besides their medical kit, someone with diabetes should always have snacks and bottled water on hand in case of a weather emergency.
Reference: UPI
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Diabetic Recipe of the Week: Pear and Cranberry Crisps

Serves: 6
Serving Size: 1/2 cup (1/3 of one skillet)
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
Crumb Topping
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
2 Tbsp. light brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
Pinch of salt
2 Tbsp. nonhydrogenated margarine (such as Promise or Canoleo)
1 Tbsp. chilled unsalted butter, cut into small bit
Pear and Cranberry Filling
4 small (about 5 oz. each) Bosc or D'Anjou pears, peeled and chopped (about 3 cups)
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 Tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. fresh lemon zest
2 Tbsp. slivered almonds
Preparation
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Coat two 6 1/2 inch cast iron skillets with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Prepare the topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. With a pastry blender or two knives, cut in the margarine and butter until coarse crumbs are formed. Set aside. You should have about 3/4 cup of topping.
3. For the pear and cranberry filling, mix together all the ingredients in a bowl. Divide the pear-cranberry mixture between the two cast iron skillets, using about 1 1/2 cups of the mixture per skillet. Top the mixture evenly between the two skillets.
4. Put the skillets directly onto the oven rack, and bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Sprinkle the top of each crisp with the slivered almonds. Raise the heat to 400 degrees. Continue to bake the crisps for 5 minutes, or until the topping is light brown and crisp. Remove the crisps from the oven. You can serve directly from the skillets if desired.
This recipe is from Diabetes Forecast.
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Eat More Fruit, Drink Less Fruit Juice

A new study published by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health reports that eating fruit, like
blueberries, grapes, and apples lowers your risk of developing diabetes, but drinking fruit juice increases it.
The study, published in the British Medical Journal, was the first of its kind to look at the effects of individual whole fruits on diabetes.
"While fruits are recommended as a measure for diabetes prevention, previous studies have found mixed results for total fruit consumption," said lead author Qi Sun, an associate professor in the school's Department of Nutrition and at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. "Our findings provide novel evidence suggesting that certain fruits may be especially beneficial for lowering diabetes risk."
This is the second study in recent months to show the importance of eating fruit. Researchers in a different study provided a connection between fruit and preventing deadly aneurysms that develop in the abdomen.
In this new study, researchers from the United States, Great Britain, and Singapore looked at data collected from about 187,000 participants in three long-term studies in the United States to see which fruits were associated with a risk of diabetes. Nurses and other health professionals were questioned over a period of 25 years about their diet, health, and other topics. In that group, 12,000 developed diabetes.
The researchers found that participants who ate at least two whole servings of fruit each week, especially blueberries, apples, and grapes, lowered their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by as much as 23 percent, compared to those who had less than one serving a month.
However, those who drank one or more servings of fruit juice each day increased their risk for diabetes by as much as 21 percent. Switching out three glasses of fruit juice for whole fruit each week reduced a person's risk by seven percent.
"Our data further endorse current recommendations on increasing whole fruits, but not fruit juice, as a measure for diabetes prevention," said Isao Muraki, another lead author in the study and a research fellow at the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health. "And our novel findings may help us refine this recommendation to facilitate diabetes prevention."
Besides looking at fruit consumption overall, the researchers also looked at specific fruits, including grapes, raisins, peaches, plums, apricots, prunes, bananas, cantaloupe, apples, pears, oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, and blueberries. They examined apple, orange, and grapefruit juices.
The researchers theorized that components in fruit allow for the beneficial effects. Previous studies had linked anthocyanins found in berries and grapes to a lower risk of heart attack, but acknowledged that more research was needed to determine which components influenced diabetes.
Reference: WTSP News
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
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Exercises For Peripheral Neuropathy: Plantar Fascia Stretch

While facing a door frame, place your heel as close to the door frame as possible. Slowly lean forward, allowing your heel to slide back as your toes extend upward. To increase this stretch, bend the front knee toward the door frame. You will feel a stretch in the bottom of your foot and along your heel chord.
Hold: 15-20 seconds
Repeat: 3 repetitions each leg/2 times a day.
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
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Thursday, September 19, 2013

Diabetic Recipe of the Week: Vegetarian Chickpea Burgers

Makes: 4 servings
Serving Size: 1 burger
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
1 small onion, diced
3 Tbsp. minced celery
2 Tbsp. minced red bell pepper
2 Tbsp. minced parsley
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp. curry powder
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. black pepper
Pinch ground cayenne pepper
2 cups canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs
Preparation
1. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and saute for 3 minutes. Add the celery, red pepper, parsley, and garlic, and saute for 2 minutes. Stir in the curry powder, salt, cumin, black pepper, and cayenne and remove from the heat.
2. Puree the chickpeas in a food processor or blender. Pulse until you have a coarse puree, adding a little water if necessary. In a mixing bowl, combine the chickpea puree, the vegetable mixture, and the panko bread crumbs and mix well.
3. Form the chickpea mixture into 4 patties. Heat the remaining oil in a heavy skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high heat. Add the patties to the skillet and cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side.
This recipe is from Diabetes Forecast.
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Diabetic Recipe of the Week: Mushroom and Onion Taco

Makes: 6 servings
Serving Size: 1 taco
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 large red onion, thinly sliced
1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
3 large portobello mushrooms, stems removed, caps wiped clean, and thinly sliced
6 (6-inch diameter) corn tortillas
2 tsp. hot or mild chili powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. sugar
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp. black pepper
2 Tbsp. water
1 cup finely shredded green cabbage
1/4 cup fat-free sour cream
1 Tbsp. finely chopped cilantro
Preparation
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and saute for 3 minutes. Add the jalapeno pepper and saute for 30 seconds. Add the mushrooms and saute until they are soft.
2. Meanwhile, wrap the tortillas in a square of aluminum foil and fold the edges to seal. Heat the tortillas in the oven for about 5 minutes, until warmed through.
3. In a small prep bowl, combine the chili powder, cumin, oregano, sugar, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Add the spice mixture to the onion-mushroom mixture and saute for 1 minute. Add the water and simmer on low heat for 1 minute.
4. To serve, fill each warm tortilla with some of the onion-mushroom mixture. Divide the shredded cabbage, sour cream, and cilantro among the tacos.
This recipe is from Diabetes Forecast.
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Monday, September 9, 2013

Diabetics Face Higher Disability Risk

A new review published in the journal The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology finds that those with diabetes are 50 percent more likely to be disabled than those without the disease.
Disability in the review was defined as having trouble walking, using a telephone, managing finances, shopping, and even bathing, dressing, or eating.
"We found that diabetes increased the risk of disability by 50 percent to 80 percent compared to those without diabetes, and this result was consistent across all types of disability," said review lead author Anna Peeters, head of obesity and population health at Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne, Australia.
"The result of this study are particularly important in the context of an aging population and increasing diabetes prevalence over time. In combination, this suggests a substantial increase in the burden of disability in the elderly in coming decades," Peeters added.
Peeters said that her research team was unsure the exact correlation between diabetes and disability. They did control for factors like obesity, sedentary lifestyle and they still found a link between the two. One possibility might be the inflammation associated with high blood sugar levels, or complications from diabetes, like heart disease, kidney problems, and limb amputations.
Studies in the past comparing diabetes and disability have had mixed results, with some showing no link, and other showing a doubling risk of disability. Peeters and her team looked at 26 studies that compared the risk of disability in people with and without diabetes. The types of diabetes were not broken down in this review.
The probability of someone with diabetes having a mobility problem, like walking, was 71 percent higher than someone without the disease. As well, trouble using the phone, shopping, or using transportation was 65 percent higher. The odds someone with diabetes would have problems eating, dressing, or bathing was an astonishing 82 percent higher.
Few studies have looked at how management of diabetes affects disability, so Peeters is unsure how well-managed and controlled diabetes affects disability. However, studies showing that poor control of blood sugar increases disability risk would corroborate their hypothesis.
"We know that good control of diabetes decreases the risk of known major complications and those complications are, in turn, associated with future disability. It is therefore highly likely that good diabetes control will decrease one's risk of disability," Peeters concluded.
Reference: US News Health
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Diabetic Recipe of the Week: Lemon Torte

Makes: 14 servings
Serving Size: 1 slice
Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour
Ingredients
Cooking spray
1/2 cup canola oil
1 1/4 cups Splenda for baking
2 whole eggs
4 egg whites
1 cup nonfat lemon yogurt
Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 Tbsp. vanilla
2 1/4 cups cake flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
Pinch salt
1/4 cup confectioner's sugar
Preparation
1. Coat a 9-inch round cake pan with cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
2. In a medium bowl, beat the oil and the Splenda. Add the eggs and egg whites, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add the yogurt and beat it in; then beat in the lemon zest and juice and vanilla.
3. Combine the flour with the baking powder, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Add the flour to the egg mixture slowly, and fold gently. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Set in the lower part of the oven and bake 1 hour. Remove the cake from the oven and let cool. Sprinkle with confectioners
This recipe is from Diabetes Forecast.
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Monday, September 2, 2013

Like Fiber? Helps With Diabetes Risk!

Hopefully you like fiber, because new research shows that people who eat a diet high in fiber-rich whole grains are less likely to develop diabetes or heart disease.
A new review of past studies was conducted for the American Society for Nutrition. In a position statement, the group said the evidence suggests foods with cereal fiber or mixtures of whole grains and bran are "modestly associated" with a reduced disease risk.
Cereal fibers, including breakfast cereals, breads, and brown rice with high fiber contents, had the strongest evidence for benefit, according to Teresa Fung, a nutrition researcher at Simmons College in Boston.
"Cereal fiber may be one of the protective ingredients of whole grains that contribute to lower disease risk," said Lu Qi, one of the study's authors from the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, in an e-mail to Reuters Health.
Qi's research team looked at 28 studies that looked at the risk of developing diabetes among people who ate different amounts of whole grains and bran, as well as 33 studies on the risk of cardiovascular disease, and 19 on obesity.
Overall they found that those who ate the most cereal fiber or whole grains and bran had an 18 to 40 percent lower chance of getting the disease than those who ate little to no cereal fibers. They also had a 22 to 43 percent lower chance of having a stroke, and 14 to 26 percent less likely of having a cardiovascular problem.
Diets high in fiber were also linked to a lower body weight, but the effects are minimal. People who ate a large portion of fiber-rich grains lost just one more pound than everyone else.
The analysis for this study was paid for by the Kellogg Company, as well as other nutrition and food companies.
A large, long-term study may not even show the effects of having a fiber-rich diet.
"It may simply be, people (who eat cereal fiber) are full longer, and therefore they don't eat so much, and they're leaner," said Fung, who was not involved in the new study.
"Another possibility is people who eat a lot of cereal fiber, they just don't eat a lot of cereal fiber. They're also more healthy" in other ways, she added.
Reference: Reuters
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Diabetic Recipe of the Week: Shrimp Scampi

Makes: 5 servings
Serving Size: 3 oz. shrimp, 1/2 cup pasta
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
8 oz. whole wheat spaghetti or linguine
3 Tbsp. olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
Pinched crushed red pepper flakes
1 lb. fresh large shrimp, peeled, and deveined
1/4 cup cry white wine
Juice and zest of one lemon
2 tsp. butter
2 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley
Preparation
1. Cook the whole wheat pasta according to the package directions.
2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, and saute for about 1 minute, just until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
3. Add the shrimp and saute for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the shrimp are cooked through and turn pink.
4. With a slotted spoon, remove the shrimp from the skillet; keep warm. Add the wine and lemon juice to the skillet and bring to boiling. Simmer the liquid for about 3 minutes. Add the butter and stir as it melts.
5. Add the lemon zest, parsley, and cooked pasta to the skillet; toss to coat. Top with the shrimp and serve immediately.
This recipe is from Diabetes Forecast.
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Diabetes Common Among Low-Income Families

As if it's not bad enough all of the other medical, social, economic, political, and cultural problems that go along with being a low-income family, you can now add the likelihood of getting Type 2 diabetes to your list.
New research published in the journal PLoS Medicine finds that those with low incomes are more likely than their higher income counterparts to to develop Type 2 diabetes.
The reason for the link is not clear, but researchers found that inflammation may be a key in the connection, along with genetics.
"We've shown... there might be a link going from socioeconomic status to inflammation, through gene regulation, that finally leads to increased risk of diabetes," said senior author Silvia Stringhini, of the University Hospital of Lausanne in Switzerland.
Studies show that people who experience socioeconomic strife during their childhood tend to have a higher risk of developing diabetes later in life, even when they aren't obese or eat an unhealthy diet. Stringhini and her fellow researchers wanted to find out why childhood poverty would have such long-lasting effects.
The research team used information from the Whitehall II study, which tracked social and clinical information from 10,000 people in London from 1991 to 2009. The participants took an oral glucose test every six years and the researchers tracked who developed diabetes. They also took blood samples to measure key inflammatory proteins in the blood. For the socioeconomic data, participants were asked their job title, education level, and father's occupation.
Overall, those who had low socioeconomic status were twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes over the time frame of the study. As well, those whose lives either started or ended in low-income situations had an increased risk of developing diabetes as an adult.
This is not exactly medical shattering news, but Stringhini pointed out that diabetic risk factors, like being overweight, eating poorly, and being physically inactive "explain about half of the socioeconomic status differences in the Type 2 diabetes."
The other half was tied to inflammation, regardless of a person's weight or activity level. Typically those who lived in low-income situations had chronically higher levels of inflammatory proteins in their blood stream. But inflammation and risk factors were not the only culprits for developing diabetes.
"The stress related to financial adversity- that of living in poor, unsafe, and polluted neighborhoods, experiencing more stressful life events, or experiencing abuse and violence- [may contribute to] an exacerbated inflammatory responses in adult life," Stringhini said.
"While this does not mean that we should stop trying to improve lifestyle behaviors in the most disadvantaged sections of society, we might try to recommend medications targeting directly inflammation," Stringhini said.
Reference: Live Science
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Exercises For Peripheral Neuropathy: Seated Hamstring Stretch

Sitting over the front half of a firm chair, place one leg straight with the foot pointing up. Bend the opposite knee so that your foot is flat on the floor. Center your chest over the straight leg, and slowly straighten your back until you feel a stretch in the back of your leg.
Hold: 15-20 seconds on each leg
Repeat: 3 repetitions each leg/2 times a day.
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.