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.