Healing and Hope

A Newsletter of the Diabetes Institutes Foundation

December 2005

A NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear Reader,

During this holiday season, candles burn brightly in the windows of millions of homes across the nation with a glow that symbolizes hope and optimism for the future. That same spirit burns brightly here at the Diabetes Institutes Foundation and the Strelitz Diabetes Institutes for the fight against diabetes.

With innovative treatment and education and pioneering regeneration research for both islets and nerves, the Institutes is on the vanguard of translational care for those struggling with diabetes and other endocrine disorders.

In January, 2006 the Institutes begins a cutting- edge approach to both controlling diabetes and managing, and reducing diabetes complications. Find out about Intermittent Insulin Infusion Therapy in this e- newsletter.

Also included in our e-newsletter is an article by Phyllis Woodson, the Institutes’ dietitian, who helps us choose healthy, economical foods during the holidays and all year with great tips on grocery shopping.

And finally, during the season of giving, we remember that health is one of life’s greatest gifts. We are very grateful for the support of thousands of people who, through their volunteerism and financial support, have helped the Institutes dramatically improve the lives of so many people.

Best,
Anna Goldenberg
Executive Director
Diabetes Institutes Foundation

FOUNDATION NEWS

Go Live Against Diabetes Raises Awareness and Dollars for DIF

Go Live Against Diabetes flooded the Hampton Roads airwaves on Tuesday, November 15th. From 6 am to 7 pm, Haynes Furniture was home to ClearChannel and MaxMedia stations 92.9 the Wave, 97.3 Eagle, ESPN, Litefm, Kiss 105.3, WOWI 103 Jamz, Star 94.1, Cool 92.1 and WVXX Spanish radio dedicated to raising awareness of, and money for, the Strelitz Diabetes Institutes. Hundreds of supporters phoned in or dropped off donations, and a silent auction of items ranging from a Trisha Yearwood guitar to a giant stuffed Mickey Mouse piqued the interest of store patrons. Among those interviewed were former Houston Oiler William Fuller and Norfolk Admirals Center Ajay Baines. Go Live! raised approximately $16,000. Many thanks to all who worked so hard in putting together this amazing event.

Bad News, Good News Year-End Campaign Underway

It's not too late! to Help us raise money for the development of the Institutes’ life-saving programs. To make a year-end donation, click here.

MEDICAL NEWS

Strelitz Diabetes Institutes Introduces Innovative New Translational Treatment "Intermittent Insulin Infusion Therapy" for Nerve Regeneration

Starting January 2006, the Strelitz Diabetes Institutes will open its innovative Intermittent Insulin Infusion clinical research program for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes patients with neuropathy.

Jointly sponsored by the Advanced Diabetes Treatment Centers of Florida, this new treatment will offer patients a new treatment for reducing symptoms, abrogating progression and possibly reversing neuropathy. The program will also allow SDI clinical researchers to investigate factors that contribute to neurovascular dysfunction that are associated with neuropathy.

Previous studies with Insulin Infusion Therapy have shown that weekly intermittent intravenous infusion of insulin can reduce symptoms of dizziness and episodes of low blood pressure when changing position suggesting better nerve function, reduce high blood pressure, improve the ability to sense low blood sugar and delay the progression of diabetic kidney damage.

According to Dr. Aaron I. Vinik, Director of Research, "The Neurovascular unit of the Strelitz Diabetes Institute is always seeking new and improved ways of translating important research findings into state-of-the-art therapies. We were very taken with the Van Den Bergh study in Belgium that showed that intravenous insulin administration to people in intensive care units prevented the development of severe neuropathy which is almost universally developed by people in that setting."

"We are applying this approach to people with intractable neuropathy to see if we can achieve the same beneficial effects in people with diabetes and its neurologic complications. Anecdotally, there have been suggestions that this may work but, this will be the very first time that it is tested formally. We sought the collaboration of ADTC who have the wherewithal and techniques and equipment to make this feasible. We see this collaboration as a win, win, win situation where all parties including patients will score."

The course of treatment takes a commitment of time 6 hours, one day a week for one year. On the day of treatment, the patient sits leisurely in a comfortable chair watching television or reading while receiving intravenous insulin during three one-hour sessions. Body metabolism measurements are taken regularly, and between infusions, the patient is closely monitored to achieve desirable goals.

Laboratory blood tests are periodically conducted and patient well-being is evaluated during the course of treatment by quality of life assessments developed by the Strelitz Diabetes Institutes.

for more iformation on how you may be qualified for the program contact Jorge Jacot, PhD.

NUTRITION TOPICS

Tips for Managing your Diabetes

Phyllis Woodson, Dietitian

What better way to plan healthy meals than to have healthy food ingredients on hand. In fact, you may not have to plan at all. If you have the right foods available, it becomes easier and quicker to eat healthfully! Please see our suggestions for preparing grocery lists. If you are on a budget, another version gives money-saving tips

Grocery List for Healthy Eating

Milk skim milk, soy milk (enriched/fortified with calcium/vitamin D), yogurt (plain fat-free; fat-free, artificially flavored).

Grains whole wheat or seeded rye bread (Nature’s Own, Arnolds, Pepperidge Farm) - look for 2-3 grams fiber per slice, brown rice, wild rice (avoid instant rice mixes), cereals (avoid instant), oatmeal, bran, Fiber 1, All Bran, Total, Kashi (mix brands) crackers (Triscuits), look for 2-3 grams fiber per serving, whole wheat pasta, whole grains (bulgur, corn, whole cornmeal, buckwheat, barley, amaranth, millet, quinoa, sorghum, spelt, triticale, popcorn).

Starch Vegetables dried beans and peas (garbanzo, pinto, kidney, white, split, black-eyed), lima beans, lentils, small red/white potatoes with the skins (avoid instant potato mixes), sweet potatoes, corn, squash, winter (butternut, acorn, pumpkin).

Vegetables collards, kale, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, carrots, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, asparagus, green beans, peppers, summer squash, tomatoes, dark green salad greens, fresh, then frozen, then canned low sodium vegetable juice.

Fruits fresh, then frozen, then canned apple, peach, pear, banana, orange, grapefruit, berries, melons, kiwi, mango, papaya, pineapple, dried fruit. Avoid buying fruit canned in syrups; canned in water or juice is better and fresh is best juice (100% fruit juice), avoid fruit punch and Kool- Aid.

Protein Foods fish (wild salmon, tuna, mackerel, haddock, herring), turkey, chicken, lean beef (round, sirloin, flank, tenderloin, rib, chuck, rump, T-bone, porterhouse, ground round), peanut butter, canned tuna (in water), low fat cottage cheese, lowfat Laughing Cow cheese, eggs (select medium size to avoid too much cholesterol). Avoid bologna, hotdog, bacon and sausage (buy Canadian bacon, Healthy Choice/Healthy Request, Boar’s Head low fat products).

Fats olive oil, tub spreads (Take Control or Benecol) instead of margarine or butter, salad dressings made with olive, canola, or peanut oil fat-free mayonnaise,nonstick cooking spray.

Nuts almonds, walnuts, pecans, peanuts (raw, dry roasted, no salt added).

Other tea, coffee, garlic,herbs (fresh or dried), spices, mustard, vinegar, salsa, low sodium broth or bouillon, lemon juice, lime juice, fat-free dairy products such as cream cheese, sour cream, whipping cream, half and half, no sugar added jelly and artificially sweetened syrups.

Desserts vanilla wafers, ginger snaps, graham crackers, animal crackers, individual 1ž2 cup serving ice cream containers (12 per bag), sugar-free Jello-O, sugar-free puddings.

Look at the label: select low fat (3 g or less fat per serving), low sugar (5 g or less sugar per serving, milk and fruit have 12-15 g of sugar), low sodium (about 200 mg sodium per serving).

Bon Appetit!

Grocery List for Economical Shopping

Milk nonfat powdered milk, mix nonfat powdered milk + regular low fat milk.

Grains whole wheat or seeded rye loaf bread, brown rice (avoid instant rice mixes) - cereals are expensive, eat bread instead.

Starch Vegetables dried beans and peas (garbanzo, pinto, kidney, white, split, black-eyed), lima beans, lentils, small red/white potatoes with the skins (avoid instant potato mixes), corn.

Vegetables/Fruits fresh, frozen, canned - select best buy (if you have diabetes, avoid buying fruit canned in syrups; canned in water or juice is better, fresh is best) if buying fruit juice, select frozen concentrate v ready-made.

Protein Foods peanut butter, canned tuna (in water), low fat cottage cheese, eggs (select medium size to avoid too much cholesterol), turkey/chicken, lean economical cuts of beef. Avoid bologna, hotdog, bacon, sausage.

Fats olive oil, tub spreads instead of margarine or butter.

Select store brands whenever possible, bargain shop from several stores if possible. Economize by limiting restaurant foods, convenience foods, and snack foods. Bargain shop for cleaning supplies (use newspapers instead of paper towels for cleaning windows, etc).

For more information