Take Control of Your Own Health: 5 Steps to Better Diabetes Self-Management & We Can Help @ Any Lab Test Now - Granbury, TX

When you have diabetes, much of your treatment and care comes from the decisions you make on a daily basis.  Navigating through these daily decisions can sometimes be challenging if you don’t know where to start.  Use these “5 Steps to Better Diabetes Self-Management” as a road map to begin your journey toward well-controlled diabetes.

1. Monitor your glucose.
2. Take your medications!
3. Be mindful of your food choices.
4. Get up and get moving!
5. Keep your doctor’s appointments.

Step 1:  Monitor your glucose.

Part of having diabetes is knowing how to monitor your glucose.  It is an essential key to good blood sugar control because it is the only way to know (between doctor’s appointments) where you stand with your diabetes control.  “Do I have to?” or “Ouch that hurts!” are common sentiments I hear from patients.  My answer is usually YES and it’s not that bad!  Fortunately, glucometers (blood sugar machine) have come a long way.  They require a very small amount of blood (about the size of pin head)  and the needles are fine and hurt less when changed often.  Also, many offer the option of checking your hand or arm versus the fingertip.  The frequency should be discussed with your physician but in general at least one to times per day is recommended.  According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the American College of Endocrinology (ACE), the recommendation for a Fasting Blood Sugar (when you just woke up BEFORE your morning coffee) is less than 110 mg/dl.  The guidelines for post-meal glucose differ slightly.  The ADA states a post-meal goal of less than 180mg/dl.  This is for immediately following a meal at its peak.  The ACE guidelines state the goal two hours after a meal should be less than 140 mg/dl.  Remember: checking your blood sugar keeps you in control of your diabetes.

Step 2:  Take your medications!

This may seem like simple advice but it is a key step that is often overlooked by diabetics.  “Now that my sugars are controlled I don’t need to take my pills anymore” or “Once I start taking medications I can never stop” are phrases I hear often when counseling someone with diabetes.  The truth is that medications really do serve a purpose in glucose control.  There are several different types of medications to take for diabetes, and they work on different parts of the body.  One type of medication works on the pancreas by stimulating it to excrete more insulin.  Insulin is a hormone that helps lower blood glucose by helping it enter the  blood cells to be converted into energy.  Another type of medication works on fat and muscle cells to make them sensitive to the body’s own insulin.  Often in Type 2 diabetics, the body becomes resistant to using the insulin, even though it may still be produced.  Yet another type of medication works on the liver by controlling the amount of sugar that the liver makes.  One of the newer medications is injectable and works on all 3 areas (pancreas, cells and liver) and has the added benefit of slowing down the digestion of food which promotes weight loss.   Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease, and often pills fail to work because the body no longer produces a sufficient amount of insulin.  At this point insulin by injection becomes necessary.  Taking insulin can give you greater flexibility for your glucose management.  You can work with your doctor or diabetes educator to learn how to adjust your insulin.  Taking insulin can be the key to lowering your blood sugar average and may help prevent the chronic complications associated with diabetes like kidney or eye disease.

Step 3:  Be mindful of your food choices.

A key part of managing your diabetes is eating healthy foods every day.  You want to know which foods to increase and which foods to limit.   The “diabetic diet” can seem ominous and confusing.  There are many messages that can confuse any diabetic: Don’t eat sugar, count your carbohydrates, watch out for high glycemic index foods, eat good fat but limit bad fat, and eat more fiber! Learning about how different foods affect your blood sugar is important and can be done by scheduling a visit with a Registered Dietitian who can help you plan your meals to meet your health goals.  When discussing the effects of carbohydrates, protein and fat on blood sugar, carbohydrate portion control will help control blood glucose.  One hundred percent of the carbohydrates you eat turn into sugar within a few hours of eating.  Carbohydrates are any starch, fruit, milk, yogurt or sweet that you eat.  Fortunately you don’t have to avoid these foods, but be aware of your portions.  Some “carbs” (such as candy, cookies, ice cream, sodas and juices) turn into sugar faster.  The goal is to eat high-fiber carbohydrates because they are absorbed into the blood stream at a slower rate.  For example, eat  fruits with skins and seeds, (apples, strawberries, etc.), choose whole grains like whole wheat bread and wild rice, and stick with fat free yogurt or skim milk.  Remember to choose wisely and control the amount of carbohydrates you eat to notice the positive effect on your blood sugars.

Step 4:  Get up and get moving!

The purpose of glucose (or blood sugar) in the blood stream is to provide energy.  Since exercise requires energy, it helps you “use up” your blood sugar.   Not only will exercise lower your blood sugar, it can also lower your blood pressure, improve circulation, decrease stress, improve sleep and aid in digestion.  It is recommended that you add 150 minutes of exercise per week to promote and maintain a healthy weight.  This equates to 30 minutes 5 times per week.  There is no rule stating this 30 minutes must be done consecutively.  If you only have time for 15 minutes in the morning and 15 at lunch time, do it!  The most important part is to get up and get moving.  One precaution to take when you have diabetes is to check your blood sugar before you exercise.   If it is less than 100 mg/dl then eat a snack containing carbohydrates (like crackers or fruit) prior to exercise.  This will help to prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).  Hypoglycemia is defined as a blood sugar less than 70 mg/dl.  If your blood sugar gets too low during exercise you should drink 4 oz of juice, sports drink or soda to raise it quickly and stop exercising until you feel better.  Once your sugar is above 70 mg/dl make sure to have a snack that has protein (like cheese , nuts or peanut butter).  The protein stays in your blood stream longer and can help prevent a rebound low blood sugar once you resume your exercise.  Once you become consistent with your exercise, your blood sugar be better controlled, and you will also feel better and more energized!

Step 5:  Keep your doctor’s appointments.

You know the old saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away?” But with diabetes it’s “See your physician today and keep complications away!”  This might sound cheesy but it will help you remember why you need to see your doctor on a regular basis.  

Depending on your glucose control, you may need to see your physician every six months or even every three months (maybe even monthly ). 

That will be up to you and your physician.  It is recommended that diabetics get the following exams yearly:   Eye Exam, Foot Exam, Kidney Function Blood Test, Urinalysis, Cholesterol (including Total Cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol and Triglycerides) and a Flu Shot.  In addition, your physician will monitor your “A1C” test two to four times per year. Don't forget, at Any Lab Test Now - Granbury we can provide you with all of the highlighted lab tests/vaccinations for an affordable price. We also have customized lab panels that may include all of the testing you need under one affordable panel. Remember at Any Lab Test Now - Granbury, we accept your Dr.'s orders and if you are wanting to take control of your own health we can provide you with a Dr.'s order! "No Insurance, No Problem" we will provide you with the lab tests you need at an affordable price! No Appointments Necessary * Convenient Hours * Anonymous & Discreet Testing Available * No Dr.'s Orders Needed * Affordable Testing! Come see us at Any Lab Test Now - Granbury! An A1C Test at Any Lab Test Now - Granbury is $49!!!The A1C test measures blood glucose over a two to threemonth period.  ADA recommends an A1C under 7 percent, which is an estimated average under 150 mg/dl.  Higher A1C levels have been associated with increased risk for chronic complications like eye disease, heart disease, kidney damage and nerve damage which can lead to amputations.   At your physician appointment, you should take your blood sugar journal so the physician can compare your A1C to your actual daily blood sugars.  He/she will use this to adjust your medications and help you with your health goals.  This is also your time to ask questions.  If you are unsure about how a medication works or why a treatment your doctor has recommended is important, this is the time to educate yourself.  Your physician may also refer you to a specialist if needed.  I always encourage patients to see the doctor and remind them that they are there to help you manage your Diabetes.

Keep these 5 steps in mind as you make your health goals for optimal diabetes control.  You may not do all of them every day but they are there to help you remember what is important.  Identify the area(s) that may need improvement and set one goal.  Write your goal down and share it with someone who can be your support to help you reach it.  Using these steps may be as simple as checking your blood sugar in the morning before your healthy breakfast of ½ cup oatmeal strawberries and almonds, going on a 15 min walk at lunch, calling your physician to confirm your threemonth appointment and checking your pill box each night to make sure you took your medication! 

About The Author

Carina Saez is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian as well as a Certified Diabetes Educator specializing in diabetes education and weight management.  She is a graduate of Texas Christian University and has been counseling patients for the past 16 years. Carina evaluates and counsels patients in diabetes management, cholesterol and hypertension control.  She is currently the Diabetes Care Manager at Viverae.  Viverae helps corporations reduce health care costs through improved employee health. 

HCG Questions and Answers

As we are getting closer to opening our new weight loss clinic, I have been receiving several inquiries about HCG and how it is incorporated into our diet. I always encourage everyone to exhaustively research anything they are considering doing - whether it's buying a house, opening a business, getting botox, switching car insurance- whatever the situation, you should always research everything to it's full capacity before making any decisions on going forward with it. Since we are about to open this new weight loss option to Granbury, I wanted to take a brief moment to provide you with a little Q & A about the HCG Diet.

As always if you have any specific details regarding our program or additional information, do not hesitate to contact us @ 871-573-3600!!!

What is the HCG Diet?

Dr. A.T.W. Simeons, a specialist on obesity and weight regulation, introduced a program that has helped many people overcome weight loss resistance. The program utilizes a natural hormone that is produced during pregnancy called Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG). Dr. Simeons’ theory is that HCG causes the hypothalamus area of the brain to trigger a release of abnormal fat stores. When administered in relatively small doses and coupled with a very low calorie diet, people routinely lose 20 pounds in 30 days.

HCG has helped thousands of people lose those stubborn pounds. In addition to weight loss, many patients who have completed the HCG program also experienced many other health benefits, including a drop in cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar.

What is the Hypothalamus?

The hypothalamus is a part of the diencephalon area of our brain. This is the vital part of the brain which controls all of the autonomic functions of the body, including breathing, heart beat, digestion, sleep and the complex functions of the endocrine system. One of the many functions of the endocrine system is regulation and control of your metabolism and weight.

Does HCG work for everyone?

Although HCG is naturally produced only in pregnant women, as a diet aid it works the same for men and women. Most people on this program report losing between 0.5 to 1 pound per day, and claim it is the only program where they have been able to keep the weight off afterward. However, as with any drug or medication, or even with food (e.g., allergies), there is individual variation in its efficacy. Everyone is familiar with the fact that doctors often have to change people's medications because they don't respond as expected. So although HCG is effective for the great majority of people who try it, there is logically no promise that it will work for everyone, every time.

What is the difference between homeopathic HCG drops and HCG injections?

Homeopathy is the second most widely used system of medicine in the world. It has been the primary medical system of choice for a great number of people in other countries for many years, with the allopathic methods being their secondary choice. (Allopathic healthcare is what we have here in the United States, which relies on pharmaceutical drugs and surgical procedures.) Homeopathics have been used for many years to very effectively bring about healing and better health without the negative consequences and side effects that allopathic methods often have. Its popularity in the United States has grown dramatically over the last decade because homeopathy is effective, all natural and safe. There are no dangerous side effects with homeopathic remedies, and they can be taken along with other medications without worrying about adverse reactions.

Homeopathic formulations function on the theory of "like heals like" and that a very small amount of the active ingredient brings about change, because of the unique way homeopathic products are produced. Homeopathic HCG is produced by taking pure full strength HCG and making it into a sublingual mixture through a process of dilution and succussion. True homeopathic products, when tested in a typical lab, will come back negative for the active ingredient because the ingredient actually exists as a unique energy signature or imprint in the carrier liquid that cannot be measured chemically. This is also the reason homeopathic HCG drops will not show positive on a pregnancy test. It is important to realize that physical elements interact and affect each other in more ways than just chemically. Homeopathic products have continually baffled the American Medical Association when they fail in their chemical lab tests, yet are very successful when put to work in the human body. This has certainly been the case with homeopathic HCG used in the HCG diet program.

Another difference is the method of administration. Sublingual HCG drops are used by placing them under the tongue, an area rich in capillaries, where it is absorbed into the bloodstream. Our homeopathic HCG is manufactured in an FDA registered laboratory in the United States, and is prepared per the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States. It does not require a prescription. HCG injections, on the other hand, must be prescribed by a doctor and are administered by a shot into your muscle tissue. The cost of injections obviously is much higher due to the involvement of the doctor and clinic.

How does HCG help me lose weight?

HCG appears to act on the hypothalamus, signaling the body to release stored fat into the bloodstream where it is then available to be used by the cells for nourishment. This alone will not cause weight loss, though, unless you reduce your food intake. This forces the body to use the mobilized fat from the bloodstream. HCG causes the release of abnormal fat without affecting structural fat and muscle tissue. Which means you lose in those stubborn areas--hips, thighs, buttocks and upper arms!

Do I have to follow a special diet while I take the HCG drops?

Yes. You must follow the entire HCG Diet Protocol as described in Dr. Simeons' manuscript, "Pounds and Inches: A New Approach to Obesity", where he outlines a special 500-calorie-per-day diet that was tested on thousands of patients. HCG is only effective for weight loss if it is taken while strictly following Dr. Simeons' HCG Diet Protocol, including the 500 calorie diet. Taking HCG alone (without the diet) will not cause you to lose weight. HCG takes effect when you reduce your food intake so that the mobilized fat will be used for your body's energy needs. If you fail to follow the diet you will fail to lose weight. If you only follow the diet without taking HCG, you are simply starving yourself because there is no fat in the bloodstream to burn. Simply put, both are required. Also see the next two questions.

What food am I allowed to eat?

The HCG diet is balanced, unlike many extreme "fad" diets out there. It consists of a healthy variety of protein, vegetables and fruit, with a small amount of starch. You eat them in specific portions and combinations as outlined by Dr. Simeons. Allowed proteins are veal (low grade), beef (95% lean whole cuts), chicken breast (boneless, skinless), crab, crayfish, lobster, shrimp, and any fresh, white-fleshed fish. Allowed vegetables are asparagus, beet greens, cabbage, celery, chard, chicory greens, cucumber, fennel, green salad, onion, red radishes, spinach, and tomato. Allowed fruits are apples, strawberries, oranges, and grapefruit. Limited starches include grissini (breadstick) or Melba toast. Vegetarian protein substitutions (may slow weight loss) are a protein shake, soy patty, egg (1 whole + 3 egg whites), cottage cheese or fat-free milk.

Why can't I just go on a 500 calorie diet without the HCG?

In order to answer this question you need to understand how the body stores and uses fat. Dr. Simeons identified three separate fat stores:

1. Normal fat: This type of fat can be likened to a checking account from which the body can easily draw energy or deposit it as needed. Normal fat doesn't take a lot of effort to lose.
2. Structural fat: Pads the various organs, protects the arteries and cushions the bony prominences. You don't ever want to lose this fat. It is vital to your health and well being. Yet, on the typical "starvation" diet, this is the fat you lose when the normal fat is depleted.
3. Abnormal fat: This is much like a bank safe deposit box, where fat is stored and basically locked away. This fat is very difficult to lose via exercise and calorie restriction, but with the help of HCG the body readily pulls fat from these "last resort" fat stores.

Bottom line: If you go on a 500-calorie diet without HCG, the body uses the normal fat and then starts to use the structural fat and muscle. Losing your structural fat and muscle tissue can adversely affect your health and well-being. In addition, "starvation" diets without HCG can cause you to be excessively hungry, which is typically not true for those using HCG injections on Dr. Simeons' special 500-calorie schedule. This is not just a VLCD (very-low-calorie-diet). See next question.

Will I be hungry on the HCG diet?

On HCG, the vast majority of our customers indicate they were either not hungry (unlike other diets where they were starving), or they felt in control and surprisingly little hunger and had plenty of energy. That aligns perfectly with Dr. Simeons' theories about the fat-releasing properties of HCG; in essence, HCG is helping you get the majority of energy and calories from stored fat instead of only food in your stomach. Everyone is different -- and some report mild hunger in the first week as their body adjusts -- but it has become very clear that the Healthy HCG diet plan is something very special, something out of the ordinary. It is most definitely NOT just a "500-calorie diet". In addition, the HCG diet starts with a "gorging" phase, which helps load the body with calories to use during transition into the low-calorie phase. People who faithfully follow the protocol as outlined by Dr. Simeons in our materials, and stick to it will see fantastic results.

Do I have to exercise while on the HCG diet?

No. Exercise is not a mandatory part of the program. While vigorous exercise may increase the amount of weight you lose while on this plan, it is not a significant increase and is not recommended, because on a 500 calorie diet you can easily become too exhausted. That leads to discouragement and frustration. However, we do recommend moderate activity for all of the other benefits you receive, including stress relief and cardiovascular health.

If you are already accustomed to exercising at a certain level and would like to continue, do so, but do not over do it. Pay attention to your body's response. Scale down the intensity of the workouts if: (1) you don't have the energy to get through it; (2) you start feeling ill or light headed; (3) you gain weight the next day; or (4) you don't have the energy to get through the day after you work out.

Our suggestion for those who want to exercise is that you walk for 20 to 30 minutes daily. Walking is great exercise and contributes to your health in a variety of ways. It helps relieve stress, keeps the bowels moving, conditions your cardiovascular system, and encourages better blood/oxygen circulation. When you are are finished with the HCG diet regimen and are back on a regular diet you can then pick up the intensity of your exercise routines.

Is Your HCG made in the U.S.A.?

Yes. It is manufactured in an FDA registered lab in the United States. It is prepared according to the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States. The laboratory has been creating only the highest-quality homeopathic and natural products for over 20 years.

Diabetes Management: Corporate Programs Can Make a Difference

Check out the new article in Corporate Wellness Magazine

If you don’t have diabetes, you may assume that managing the disease is a simple matter of staying away from sugar, testing your blood sugar and giving yourself an insulin injection.  It’s not that easy.  Putting aside the fears that many people have regarding needles and the finger pricks required for managing this disease, it is much more complicated thant simple testing, injections and medications.  Diabetes is an individual battle that people fight every day.  It differs for everyone regarding what works, what they can eat and which particular outside factors affect them.  Corporations can have an impact on their employees’ ability to manage their disease, which will ultimately impact their bottom line.

The Rising Incidence and Cost of Diabetes

Diabetes continues to be a problem for millions of Americans, and it’s costing us billions of dollars to manage and treat.  According to the American Diabetes Association1, over one- third of all Americans will develop type 2 diabetes by the year 2050 unless radical changes are made in our lifestyle and eating habits.  Over 57 million people have pre-diabetes or metabolic syndrome with a very high risk of developing diabetes, and over 24 million children and adults already live with type 1 diabetes.  The difficulty lies not only in managing your blood sugar to prevent serious, life-threatening side effects, but keeping your health insurance to cover you if any serious complications arise.  If you have diabetes and you aren’t paying attention to your glucose levels every day, you could be setting yourself up for severe problems.
In 2007 the total cost of Diabetes in the United States was $218 billion.  Of this number $44 billion goes toward undiagnosed diabetes, pre-diabetes and gestational diabetes.  Diabetes contributed to 231,404 deaths during 2007, and the number continues to grow as more Americans develop type 2 diabetes.
Of the remaining $174 billion spent on diabetes each year, $116 billion goes toward excess medical expenditures attributed to diabetes and $58 billion in reduced national productivity.  People with diagnosed diabetes have medical expenditures that average 2.3 times higher than the expenditures of those without diabetes.  Almost $1 in every $10 can be attributed to diabetes.  The indirect costs include absenteeism, reduced productivity and lost productive capacity due to early mortality2.
People with diabetes between the ages of 18-64 average 8.3 lost work days per year as compared to 1.7 days per year for those without diabetes.  The medical expenditures are significantly higher for diabetics at $10,071 per person and only $2,669 per person for non-diabetics3.  Any headway that corporations are able to make in guiding people who live with diabetes toward better management of their disease would offer a considerable cost-savings to the corporation and to the American public.

Diabetes Complications Are Serious

There are so many factors that can affect glucose levels, and many of them are difficult to control.  If the pancreas is working just fine, the body handles daily, small changes without any active intervention.  Job or personal stress, lack of sleep, skipping a workout, a little too much salt, and obviously, too much sugar can interfere with balanced blood sugar.  What if an employee’s job is stressful causing a poor night’s sleep, or they catch a cold or the flu?  Even minor illnesses can cause glucose levels to rise.  For diabetics, staying in touch with their doctor during these times is critical when blood sugar levels are difficult to manage.  Doctors may recommend additional insulin injections or reduce the amount if the patient is taking oral insulin.
Diabetes is an underlying cause in many health conditions, including heart disease and stroke, blindness, high blood pressure, and kidney disease.  Maintaining a healthy, stable blood sugar level over time can reduce the risk of serious complications.  Watching for stressful situations, which no one can avoid completely, and then making changes to account for fluctuations in glucose levels can mean the difference between saving a person’s sight or limbs and continuing to be a productive employee.
Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults ages 20 to -74 and the leading cause of kidney failure.  Forty-four percent44% of new cases of kidney failure were attributed to diabetes in 2008.  In combination with heart disease and stroke and non-traumatic amputations, the downside of ignoring large fluctuations in glucose levels can be disastrous. Every person is different, and this holds true for those trying to manage diabetes.  Something that causes a major glucose shift in one person may be barely noticeable in another.  In addition, beyond each person’s individual reactions, over time those may shift within an individual that require constant adjustments to what may have been stable diabetes maintenance.  Providing guidance and help for diabetics dealing with shifts in glucose levels and new symptoms is critical to a diabetic’s long-term health and productivity.

What Can Businesses Do To Help Diabetic Employees?

The CDC has partnered with the National Institutes of Health to improve the treatment and outcomes for people with diabetes, to promote early diagnosis, and ultimately, to prevent diabetes.  Together these organizations developed the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP).  Their document, Making a Difference: the Business Community Takes on Diabetes4, offers some guidelines to employers:

• Develop a supportive work environment so that employees with diabetes feel comfortable adopting and performing the behaviors that promote good diabetes control.
• Provide encouragement and opportunities for all employees to adopt healthier lifestyles that reduce risks for chronic disease.
• Coordinate all corporate diabetes control efforts within the organization to make them more efficient as well as accountable.  (The NDEP publication shows successful examples.)
• Demand the highest quality medical care for people who are dealing with diabetes.

If corporations decide to embark on a program specifically tailored to diabetes management, one of the obstacles they will face is employee resistance for many reasons.  Employees may worry about privacy and not want others to know that they are diabetic.  They may not be ready to accept that they are ill and need to seek treatment.  Whatever the cause of employee apathy, there are ways to increase employee awareness and participation in a new diabetes management program.  Without employee buy-in, the program will falter and fail wasting dollars that could have been saved when employees control their diabetes , reduce absenteeism and lost productivity and reduce complications due to diabetes.   The website http://www.diabetesatwork.org/ provides tool kits and reference materials designed to help employers start a diabetes management program within their organization.

Promote Employee Awareness

Employees first need to become aware of the prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes in their community and in their workplace.  Highlighting behaviors that contribute to the development of diabetes type 2 and how avoidance of those behaviors can reduce the chances of developing diabetes can alert employees to how easily their own behavior can increase their risks.
Specifically, some steps to increase employee awareness5 include:

• Including the local medical community in your efforts, so that they see the program as an aid to compliance and not competition.
• Work with other businesses in the community who may be interested in sponsoring specific events or promotions for the program.
• Invite an educator specializing in diabetes in for a company hosted brown bag lunch to discuss warning signs and symptoms of diabetes type 2 with focus on the importance of balanced nutrition and exercise.
• Post NDEP flyers and posters and include the NDEP newsletter in the internal corporate newsletter.
• Advertise the program in internal communications such as newsletters and email announcements.

Promote Employee Participation

Once employees are aware of the program, the right employees need to be encouraged to participate in the program5 to really see cost savings from decreases in absenteeism and medical complications , which will raise health care costs and insurance premiums.  Make sure that employees know that you value their privacy and information will not be shared with other employees and will not increase their health insurance premium.
Develop an incentive program for participation in the program.  Financial incentives such as bonuses are effective, but other types of financial incentives can be effective as well.  Provide financial coverage for testing supplies and in-house testing or health fairs to encourage frequent testing to control glucose levels.
Use in-house activities such as lectures or brown bag lunches and take advantage of national campaigns such as Diabetes Awareness month.  Use targeted mailings sent to prospective participants.

It’s Not a Sprint, It’s a Marathon

Most of us deal with little surprises or changes every day and just plow ahead.  For diabetics the small changes in blood sugar caused by these little “inconveniences” could raise blood sugar consistently, leading to serious long term complications and increased health care costs.  Insurance companies see people who do not manage their blood sugar well as high risk, increasing the cost of health insurance or raising the chances of losing it.
It will take time to see the financial benefits of a corporate diabetes management program, but with sincere effort and commitment, it can reap large rewards, like those recognized by GM with their LifeSteps Initiative6.  GM saw a $2.70 to $1 ROI, the reduction or elimination of 185,000 health risk factors and an increase in low risk participants from 55% to 63.1%.  Diabetes is not a disease to be taken lightly.  It requires serious attention, EVERY DAY, and can’t be ignored.  Help your employees manage their disease better, so they are in control of their diabetes and keep them happy, healthy and productive!

References

1-http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diabetes-statistics/
2-The Lewin Group, “The Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2007,” Diabetes Care, March 2008, vol, 31 no. 3, 595-615
3-American Diabetes Association, Economic consequences of diabetes mellitus in the United States in 1997. Diabetes Care, 1998; 21:296-309.
4-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Making a Difference: the Business Community Takes on Diabetes. Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 1999. NDEP Pub #33.
5-http://www.diabetesatwork.org/NextSteps/AwarenessAndParticipation.cfm
6-Tim McDonald, PA, Michigan Department of Community Health, Workplace Wellness Chronicles, August 2005.  Online at http://www.michigan.gov/documents/MDCH-Chronicles-%20GM-0805_134908_7.pdf.

About the Author

Maureen Young is a Consumer Education Advocate for ANY LAB TEST NOW®, a healthcare lab testing facility.  She is a writer, health care advocate, and fitness enthusiast driven to explore advances in the health care and medical industries and share her research with the public.

"Imagine losing a pound a day but never feeling hungry.”

Hi Everyone!

Sorry for the blog hiatus, we've been busy with the opening of Any Lab Test Now - Granbury and Assurance Medical Diagnostics & More, LLC. We had a great first month and we are continuing to get more calls everyday on both businesses. We will keep you informed on promotions and changes as we continue to grow!

In August, we will be doing a soft opening for our newest business InShape, MD (a medically supervised weight loss clinic). We are very excited to bring this program to Granbury, TX. We will offer several different weight loss options, including the very effective and popular hCG program. There are several differences between our program versus buying hCG off of the internet or going to a health food store. The main differences with our program versus these others that ours is physician supervised and our hCG is pure hCG that is why a prescription is required! If you buy hCG without a prescription keep in mind that it typically only contains trace amounts of hCG, it isn't pure - it's consider homeopathic and that's why it can be sold without a prescription. The key thing to remember with us is that we are not selling a diet, we are selling a lifestyle change and that is a HUGE difference.

Please contact our store for any questions you may have! 817-573-3600

See the below article for more insight on this exciting weight loss program!!!

Dr.Oz’s Pregnancy Hormone Diet (hCG)

June 20th, 2011

"Imagine losing a pound a day but never feeling hungry.”

Comments by Mike Clark, PhD., Director of Education and Research, NBH Lifetime Health. Co-author of A Retrospective Analysis of 140 Patients Treated with hCG and a Calorie Restricted Diet in accordance with the Simeon Protocol. Published in the American Journal of Bariatric Medicine. See http://lifetimehealthweightloss.com/blog for the complete study. The study involved 140 patients treated with the Simeon Protocol and the prescription pregnancy hormone recommended by Dr. Simeon.

An article published in the June edition of “For Women First” featuring the popular TV doctor, Dr. Oz, had the headline featured above. It began its article by referring to the hCG diet as “Dr. Oz’s pregnancy hormone diet.” It then stated that while controversy surrounds the pregnancy hormone diet (hCG diet), research into the pregnancy hormone may uncover the weight-loss solution that millions of us have been waiting for according to “America’s best-loved doctor.”

Mehmet C. Oz, M.D., launched a controversial episode of The Dr. Oz Show by stating to his audience, “It sounds too good to be true, but today you’re going to meet some people, including doctors, who’ve tried it [the hCG diet} and say it has changed their lives.”

“Dr. Oz warned viewers up front that what he was about to discuss was heated: a fast-acting plan that some in the medical community caution it is unhealthy and even dangerous, while other medical doctors contend it’s the solution for the obesity epidemic in the Untied States, Also divided are the women who have tried the diet: Some in Dr. Oz’s audience said that it caused hair loss and fainting, while many others happily stepped up as proof that the program can help people drop a pound or more every day – even those who have been unable to lose weight on any other regiment.”

Dr. Oz noted that the hCG diet, “actually dates back to the 1950s, when Dr. A.T.W. Simeons claimed that human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone produced during pregnancy to ensure a fetus gets necessary nutrients, could also promote weight loss.” According to Dr. Simeons, hCG suppressed the appetite while helping the body burn fat. The Simeon Protocol, as developed by Dr. Simeon, combined 40 daily doses of the hCG hormone with a diet consisting of 500 calories per day. Dr. Simeon concluded that hCG stimulates the body to use trapped fat for energy, and this releases fat that fuels the body so dieters don’t experience the hunger and exhaustion that usually accompany very low calorie diets (VLCD). Dr. Oz did not discuss or note that VLCD’s have been used for years by Bariatric physicians under close medical supervision.

Dr. Oz did note that initial one classic study found that women on the hCG diet lost an average of 20 pounds in 30 days, and 87 percent reported feeling “little or no hunger.” He also noted that later research disputed the diet’s effectiveness, but a small 2010 study in the Bariatrician (a journal published by the American Society of Bariatric Physicians) offers more evidence that hCG does work: Dr. Oz did not discuss the recent large study conducted by Joseph Feste, M.D., and Mike Clark, PhD., also published in the Bariatrician, which further documented the effectiveness of the hCG diet. This study was conducted in the NBH Lifetime Health Hormone and Weight Loss clinics in Austin, Texas.

The first study showed that patients placed on the diet lost 30 percent more weight than other patients who were put on a conventional meal-replacement plan, dropping an average of 19.86 pounds in six weeks using a modified Simeon protocol. The larger study by Feste and Clark, showed an average weight loss of more than 21.93 lbs. for women and 31.87 lbs. for men in 43 days all with little or no discomfort.
In spite of these studies and thousands of testimonials, Dr. Oz commented that: “After 50 years of research, there’s still no proven medical reason why hCG would keep you from getting hungry, even though people eon the diet say that it does.” But see “the truth” below.

The article published in First for Women noted that “the unproven” status of hCG constitutes a concern for the FDA, which requires the following statement in the drug’s labeling: ‘hCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity. There is no substantial evidence that it increases weight loss beyond that resulting from calorie restriction, that it causes a more attractive or “normal” distribution of fat, or that it decreases the hunger and discomfort associated with calorie-restricted diets.’

Dr. Oz, according to the article in First for Women, recognized the FDA’s reasoning: “I started off this show doing my research, and I was very negative on the hCG diet. And I want to be clear on this: I absolutely agree with what the FDA is saying.” However, he further stated that his concern for the health of the growing number of people facing obesity drew him back to the hCG diet. “I recognized that there are some real legitimate folks out there who seem to have success with this. I got curious,” he explained during a recent appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America. “Is it possible that there’s a thread of truth to what’s going on with this hCG diet that might open up a vista of opportunities for us and help the millions of Americans who want to lose weight?”

The Truth About hCG.

Most people, including the “experts,” do not grasp certain basic truths about the hCG diet – its benefits and its limitations. First, there is no “magic” means by which a person on hCG is not hungry even though they are on a very low calorie diet. The “truth” is that when properly conducted by a physician in a medically supervised weight loss program, the hCG dieter is in a state of Ketosis. This means that the body is feeding off its own fat.

Ketosis has been recognized for years and is a staple of many medical weight loss practitioners in the Bariatric Society (weight loss physicians). The Atkins diet uses the concept of ketosis as part of its program in that a very low carbohydrate diet will result in the production of Ketones and it is recommended that these be monitored. Ketosis merely means that our bodies are using fat for energy. Ketones (also called ketone bodies) are molecules generated during fat metabolism, whether from the fat in the guacamole you just ate or fat you were carrying around your middle. When our bodies are breaking down fat for energy, most of it gets converted more or less directly to ATP. This is the "energy molecule.") But ketones are also produced as part of the process.

As part of the hCG diet, the body may be eating only 500 calories (and this amount will vary when under the supervision of a qualified weight loss physician) but it is getting up to 2500 and more calories from the fat burning resulting from being in a Ketosis state. The 500 number is not “magic” in that different amounts of calories may be needed to keep a person in a state of healthy ketosis. It is not unusual to increase calories when a person has an active job, or has young children (extra energy needed) or insists on exercising, etc. Dr. Oz’s recommendation of 1000 calories is also not a magic number of calories as the needs of each dieter are different.

What has been noted with hCG dieters, when they follow a medical protocol, is that their muscle loss is minimal and their Basal Metabolic Rate changes little. What changes that do occur are more due to the dieter becoming a smaller person. Some hCG dieters do lose muscle, particularly if their protein intake is not sufficient.

Does the hCG diet work for everyone? No. It is a strict diet and life can interfere, a lack of commitment can prevent the expected weight loss and health issues and hormone issues can block success.
Dr. Oz makes the logical observation that: “Clearly women who’ve already been helped by the hCG diet – and physicians who’ve seen its impressive results – believe that’s the case [that it works].” In light of the overwhelming anecdotal evidence (and there are several studies now), Dr. Oz has acknowledged, “Sometimes the experience of real people doesn’t agree with the science. And sometimes it’s because the science hasn’t caught up.”

The medical community and the FDA are against the hCG diet. Both seemingly ignore the safety and the success of the diet when properly supervised. Both are correct in shutting down the scammers who offer various products called hCG and those who offer the program without medical supervision. However, it is incorrect to say that there is “not substantial evidence” that it works. Apparently, thousands of successful dieters are not considered “evidence.”

Smoker vs. Non-Smoker Worker – 6 Interesting Facts to Know

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Let’s not talk about the advantages and disadvantages of smoking. It’s something that is common enough knowledge. Its not that smokers don’t know or are unaware of the facts that smoking is bad for them, it’s just that they are unable to care.

Here are six interesting fact about smokers vs. non-smokers that might make the prospect of ‘not smoking’ interesting.

There is a Distinct Difference in Health
This is an oft-repeated fact, but true enough and cannot be hammered home, often enough. Forget about stained teeth and hair, the effect of smoking are much more than just changes to the appearance. One of the most tragic ailments affecting smokers is cancer. Cancer of the throat and various other parts of the body; all types of cancer are very painful. People who do not smoke are less susceptible to the adverse affects of smoking, which include amongst various other affects, breathing, heart action, intestinal problems etc. Heart disease is yet another bane of regular non-smokers.

Air Pollution and Smoking
Smoking could be a small subset of air pollution. However, if you look at it like a ‘verb’ and something that one indulges in, then here is another interesting fact. Air pollution the scourge of the modern world affects a smoker more than a non-smoker. Yes, all the auto exhausts, industrial pollutants etc affects smoker more than the non-smoker. This is because when one smokes regularly, the cilia that clean the lungs die gradually, while a non-smoker has the benefit of the lung-cleaning cilia. In such a case a smoker is more prone to be affected by lung cancer than a non smoker.

Another Illness Fact
This one is not about a description of an illness but about recovery. The time take to recover from any specific illness, of any nature is usually more for a smoker, than for a non-smoker. This could be any illness and not just an affliction that is result of smoking. There have been many cases wherein, a non-smoker has lived to tell the tale, while a smoker hasn’t pulled through.

Spending Money on Cigarettes
If a smoker calculates or keeps track of the amount of money spent on buying cigarettes, they will realize after a few years that they have actually spent a small fortune. It’s not just the cigarettes, but consider the amount of money that a smoker will spend in buying matches, holders, and various other accessories that are a part of smoking. A non-smoker can make good use of this kind of money elsewhere.

Dying Early
A bit dramatic, but there it is! If you are a smoker then your life span is shorter than that of a non-smoker. This fact has been proven through various studies. The average non smoker has a tendency to live longer than an average smoker. Also, if this is the case then a smoker will lose quite a lot of money due to him, with respect to social security benefits and various other benefits.

Work and Smoking
You, if you are a smoker, would like to believe that you work as hard as the next man; and maybe you do. But on an average, a smoker misses more work days per year then a non-smoker. These ‘misses’ are accompanied by a loss of pay and you have a very dissatisfied smoker. Once again various studies conducted have come out with this fact.

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