Archive for the ‘Glucose Control’ Category
Diabetics getting fewer eye problems, but experts still worried.
12.11.2011
A recent study released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) shows a decline in diabetics reporting vision problems. Researchers found a drop from 26 percent in 1997 to 18.6 percent in the number of diabetics reporting vision problems.
Better blood glucose control, blood pressure control and cholesterol management seem to be the factors contributing to the decreased incidence in vision problems among diabetics.
While the report is encouraging, researchers caution it may lead to a false sense of reassurance. The percentage of diabetic patients with impaired vision might increase substantially after newly diagnosed diabetics have lived with their condition for five or ten years. Researchers point out that one deficiency in the study is that the data was self-reported so the seriousness of the vision problems are unclear.
The study which was published in the November 18, 2011 issue of the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report evaluated data from the 1997-2010 National Health Interview Survey. This survey of diabetics asked if they had any trouble with their vision and if they had seen an eye care professional in the last year.
In the United States, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness and the best way for diabetics to lessen their risk of vision problems is to regulate their blood sugar and see their eye doctor once a year.*
Exercise fails to help diabetes control
07.19.2011Researchers determined that newly diagnosed diabetics have improved glycemic control if they receive intensive dietary counseling within the first year of their diagnosis of the disease. Patients who also had a monitored exercise regimen did not see any significant benefit from adding exercise to their routine.
Just an extra 6 1/2 hours of dietary counseling resulted in significant reductions in glycated hemoglobin (Hemoglobin A1C) after 6 months and a year compared with patients who only received the basic diet advice. And while studies have indicated that aerobic and resistance exercise along with diet can lower glycated hemoglobin, there were no differences in their study results among those who had the intensive counseling and exercise compared to those who had just the intensive counseling.
Further research is needed to determine whether different kinds of exercise, longer interventions or intervention at an earlier or later stage of diabetes will produce benefits comparable to dietary changes alone. Researchers involved in the study do recommend revamping diabetes services to increase dietary management at an early stage.*
Elise Ervin
Staff Writer
This Blood In My Eye Is Making Me Look Like A Freak!
06.14.2011This was actually a status post that one of my friends posted on Facebook last week and ironically, also something that a co-worker in our ophthalmology office is dealing with.
Have you ever just all of a sudden noticed that your eye was blood red? Maybe you woke up with it like that one morning. Maybe someone brought it your attention, by subtly saying, “Ewwwww, why is your eye like THAT!?!?”
This redness in your eye is actually called a Subconjunctival Hemorrhage. These types of hemorrhages occur when one of the small blood vessels in your conjunctiva (the clear membrane that covers the sclera) breaks, causing the blood to leak between the conjunctiva and the sclera (the white part of your eye). The most common causes of this are coughing, sneezing or straining, but can also be caused by trauma to the eye, high blood pressure or diabetes. People who are on blood thinners such as Coumadin or Aspirin therapies could also be prone to these types of hemorrhages. Don’t worry, the blood is trapped under the conjunctiva on the outside of your eye and will not suddenly start to drip down your cheek, making you look like a character in the newest Twilight movie. Unfortunately, there is no miracle drop that will make it go away. Subconjunctival Hemorrhages usually clear up on their own, but be forewarned, this could take a few days or a couple of weeks, depending on it’s size.
These small hemorrages usually are not painful, nor do they cause blurrred vision, so if you think you have a subconjunctival hemorrage, but are experiencing pain or blurred vision, get in to see your eye doctor as soon as possible.
Although it is often alarming to look at, it is almost always harmless and will gradually go away with no treatment. Until then, put on some funky sunglasses to hide it. After all, summer is all about stylish sunglasses!
Mary Sweetman, C.O.A.
Certified Ophthalmic Assistant
Wow, our new Reziva.com resveratrol site is beautiful! And oh, what a product!
05.19.2011
It took a village to launch Reziva® brand resveratrol and Reziva.com! Thanks to our nutritional scientists, physicians, photographers, GMP-certified laboratory, label designers, custom bottle supplier, Board of Directors, clear vegetable cap manufacturer, our Organic French red grape farmers, our natural extraction laboratory, and our fabulous web design and program team.
This is the resveratrol product people have been waiting for, and you all made it happen!
Paul Krawitz, M.D., President and Founder
Vitamin Science, Inc.
Not all Resveratrol Supplements Are Created Equal
05.10.2011Selecting the right resveratrol supplement can be a daunting task. The research and science behind this powerful antioxidant is impressive, but it hasn’t been studied for very long.
There are many important things to consider when selecting a resveratrol supplement; including making sure that the one you choose is natural and not synthetic-based. It’s also essential that it contains trans-resveratrol, instead of cis-resveratrol and that it is sourced from grapes instead of Japanese knotweed.
There are other important factors to consider as well, when selecting the best product.
Much of the resveratrol on the market today comes from China. Because there have been problems reported in the news about contaminated products from China containing melamine and lead, it would be wiser to purchase resveratrol from a domestic supplier.
Most resveratrol found in health food stores contain high amounts of a natural chemical called emodin. Although emodin has been used to reduce inflammation, some resveratrol supplements containing Japanese knotweed have unusually high amounts of this substance, which can cause gastrointestinal problems including diarrhea, stomach cramps and bloating. Prolonged use of emodin has been associated with an increased risk of liver and kidney damage.
It would be wise to look for a resveratrol product that contains 100% pure trans-resveratrol without any synthetic fillers or genetically modified ingredients, such as Reziva, to be sure of obtaining the safest and most effective product.*
Nancy Hirsch
Certified Nutritionist
