Exercises For Peripheral Neuropathy: Side Leg Raise

Hold chair or table with one hand, then one fingertip, then no hands, then do exercise with eyes closed, if steady. Stand straight, directly behind chair or table, feet slightly apart. Hold chair or table for balance. Slowly lift one leg to side, 6-12 inches above the ground. Slowly lower leg and repeat with other leg. Your knee and back are straight throughout exercise.
Hold: 5-10 seconds
Repeat: 2 repetitions on 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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Exercises For Peripheral Neuropathy: Side Leg Raise

Hold chair or table with one hand, then one fingertip, then no hands, then do exercise with eyes closed, if steady. Stand straight, directly behind chair or table, feet slightly apart. Hold chair or table for balance. Slowly lift one leg to side, 6-12 inches above the ground. Slowly lower leg and repeat with other leg. Your knee and back are straight throughout exercise.
Hold: 5-10 seconds
Repeat: 2 repetitions on 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.

Exercises For Peripheral Neuropathy: Hip Extensions

Hold chair or table with one hand, then one fingertip, then no hands, then do exercise with eyes closed, if steady. Stand 12 to 18 inches from chair or table. Bend at hip; hold onto chair or table. Slowly lift one leg straight backwards. Hold position for 5-10 seconds. Slowly lower leg and repeat with other leg.
Hold: 5-10 seconds
Repeat: 2 repetitions on 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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Exercises For Peripheral Neuropathy: Hip Flexion

Hold a table or chair with one hand, then one fingertip, then no hands, then do exercise with eyes closed, if steady. Stand straight, holding onto table or chair for balance. Slowly bend one knee towards chest, without bending waist or hips. Hold position for 5-10 seconds. Slowly lower leg all the way down. Repeat with other leg.
Hold: 5-10 seconds
Repeat: 2 repetitions on 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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Exercises For Peripheral Neuropathy: Standing Balance

While standing at the kitchen counter, place two fingertips on the counter. Stand on one foot lifting the other off the floor. Slowly lift your hands away from the counter and maintain your balance as long as you can. Minor balance checks are acceptable as long as you continue to maintain your balance with minimal help from your hands.
Hold: 5-10 seconds
Repeat: 2 repetitions on 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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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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Connecticut Foot Care Centers
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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
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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.

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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.