Diabetic Digest - Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Readers:

I had a scary incident, involving low blood sugar, happen to me the end of last week. I was home with my 9-month-old son and when it was time to feed him I suddenly began to feel out-of-sorts. Luckily, Jack was safe and secured in his high-chair when my low blood sugar took hold.

I became sweaty, shaky, and the scariest part for me was the fact that I couldn't make myself sit down and eat something to bring my sugar up to triple digits. That has never happened to me before and scared me so much that I cried. I couldn't make me take care of myself. I was terrified.

I did get a hold of my mom to come and help me. After that call I got it together and ate and ate and ate. She was there in a flash and helped me with the little guy. I've never felt that helpless.

I don't mean to end on this note, but even when you feel great and are taken good care of yourself, when it comes to diabetes, anything can happen.

Please take care, I know I'm going to.

Regards,
Steve

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*-- Diabetic News --*
Study could offer new sight-saving therapy for diabetics
From: Diabetes.co.uk

A new research project is underway that aims to investigate a novel approach to treating diabetic retinopathy and preventing patients from losing their sight.

Millions of people with diabetes worldwide are affected by this eye condition, which occurs when high blood sugar levels affect the flow of blood to the eye, damaging the retina and impairing vision. If left untreated, it can lead to blindness.

To halt the progression of retinopathy, a team of international scientists led by experts at Queen's University Belfast plan on taking bone marrow-derived stem cells from adult donors, developing ways to grow them and expanding the number of cells in a laboratory setting.

The aim is to then transplant the cells into the eye of a patient to help repair the damaged blood vessels, regenerate the damaged retina and restore vision.

They cells will be tested in several pre-clinical models of diabetic complications at various labs across Europe before human trials take place in Denmark.

Lead researcher for the â?¬6 million EU-funded study, Professor Alan Stitt, Director of the Centre for Vision and Vascular Science at Queen's University, said its impact "could be profound" for patients, as regeneration of damaged retina could prevent the progression of diabetic retinopathy and reduce the risk of vision loss.

He added; "Currently available treatments for diabetic retinopathy are not always satisfactory. They focus on end-stages of the disease, carry many side effects and fail to address the root causes of the condition.

"A novel, alternative therapeutic approach is to harness adult stem cells to promote regeneration of the damaged retinal blood vessels and thereby prevent and/or reverse retinopathy.

"This is the first step towards an exciting new therapy in an area where it is desperately needed."

Original Article: Study could offer new sight-saving therapy for diabetics


*-- Diabetic Recipe --*
Brussels Sprouts with Canadian Bacon
Servings: 12
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes

Ingredients
2 pounds fresh Brussels sprouts
1 tablespoon reduced-calorie margarine
2 shallots, minced
3 ounces Canadian bacon, cut into 1/4-inch dice
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
salt (to taste)
freshly ground pepper (to taste)

Directions
1. After slicing off the stem ends, slice the Brussels sprouts thin.
2. Heat margarine in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and Canadian bacon, sauteeing and stirring frequently until shallots are soft and bacon is browned (about 5 minutes).
3. Toss in the Brussels sprouts and contine to cook, stirring frequently until Brussels sprouts are cooked (about 5 minutes).
4. Add lemon juice and continue to cook for another minute.
5. Serve hot.

Nutrition Information
Per serving: 52 calories (20% calories from fat), 4 g protein, 1 g total fat (0.3 g saturated fat), 8 g carbohydrate, 3 g dietary fiber, 4 mg cholesterol, 125 mg sodium
Exchanges: 2 vegetable

Original Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Canadian Bacon

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