Diabetic Digest - Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Readers:

I haven't been feeling my best lately. I've been a bit stressed out. I've had quite a bit on my mind.

Stress is always a big factor when it comes to managing diabetes, or any illness for that matter. Sometimes I forget to take a minute to make sure that I'm firing on all cylinders.

It's always important to take time to make sure you're feeling your best. Most know that your health can turn on you at a moments notice, so you'll always benefit from being on top of your well being.

So make sure to take time to take care of yourself. I know I am.

Regards,
Steve

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*-- Diabetic News --*
Pharmacists are Key Players on the Diabetes Team
By: Don Rauf

Diabetes treatment with pharmacist input has positive impact on patient results

While diabetes patients need a doctor's care, they can also benefit from a team approach. Pharmacists, with their accessibility and medication expertise, can play a vital role.

With diabetes cases and costs on the rise, there is a need to deliver more intensive diabetes management and support through existing healthcare resources.

A recent investigation found that pharmacists make a positive contribution to outcomes of patients who have type 2 diabetes.

Ines Krass, PhD, professor of pharmacy practice at the University of Sydney in Australia, collaborated on research with Teerapon Dhippayom, of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Naresuan University in Phitsanulok, Thailand.

The authors based their study on a total of 17 articles evaluating interventions delivered by a pharmacist either alone or as part of a team.

While the researchers wrote that pharmacists help produce improvements in glycemic (blood sugar) control, their preliminary evidence also suggested that pharmaceutical care for type 2 diabetes can have a positive impact on health-related quality of life.

Their research points to pharmacists having a greater effect on mental rather than physical health.

Mark Newberry, PharmD and owner of Tarrytown Pharmacy Inc. in Austin, Texas, told dailyRx News, "Prescription medications are only part of what a pharmacist can provide. As pharmacist, I consider myself as a first line of defense for my diabetic patients, and I am available seven days per week with no appointment necessary."

"We hope that our patients find it comforting that they always have a trusted professional to answer even the most complex questions regarding their condition."

Based on evidence from one of the studies in this review (the UK Prospective Diabetes Study), the authors wrote, "The improvement in diabetes control achieved by the pharmacists' interventions are likely to translate into future cost savings to the health care system by delaying and reducing diabetes-related complications."

Investigators said that pharmacists have sought to develop an expanded role in diabetes care in recent years.

"There are compelling arguments that support this expanded involvement," wrote the authors.

"Pharmacists in the community, through regular and less formal contact than that with doctors, are able to build strong relationships with patients and become a reliable source of information. Pharmacists in both community and clinic settings can also have ongoing relationships with other health care providers and can serve as the 'bridge' between health care providers and the patients, thus ensuring continuity of care."

Because medications are an important part of preventing complications of type 2 diabetes, pharmacists can play a key role in ensuring medication effectiveness through "monitoring and supporting adherence and screening for drug-related problems," according to researchers.

Ultimately, Dr. Krass and Dr. Dhippayom said that evidence of a pharmacist's impact on health-related quality of life was limited and inconclusive. They called for further research "to bolster the evidence for the impact of pharmaceutical care and pharmacist disease management diabetes services."

This study was published in March in Clinical Audit.

Original Article: Pharmacists are Key Players on the Diabetes Team


*-- Diabetic Recipe --*
Baked Ziti with Meatballs
Servings: 6
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Total: 1 hour

Ingredients
10 ounces ziti or penne pasta
1 15-ounce container low-fat ricotta cheese
1 cup non-fat mozzarella cheese, grated
1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese
1 28-ounce can pureed tomatoes with basil
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
1 pound ground sirloin
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 cup quick oats
2 ounces egg substitute (or 1 large egg)
1 tablespoon water
1/8 teaspoon salt
freshly ground pepper (to taste)
cooking spray

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a bowl, stir together the ground sirloin, garlic and onion powder, quick oats, egg substitute, water, salt, and pepper.
3. Make 1-inch in diameter meatballs.
4. Coat a non-stick skillet with cooking spray, and then sauté meatballs in batches until browned and cooked through. Set aside. (You can make the meatballs in advance and freeze them.)
5. Cook the pasta according to package directions for al dente. Put in 1 cup of cold water after removing from the heat, then drain and set aside.
6. In a bowl, combine the ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
7. Add the garlic powder and red pepper flakes to the canned tomato puree.
8. Place 1/4 cup tomato puree in the bottom of a casserole.
Top with a layer of meatballs, dollops of cheese mixture, and tomato puree.
9. Layer up the casserole, topping with a few dollops of cheese mixture. (You can freeze the casserole at this point, if you'd like.)
10. Bake in oven for 45 minutes until the ricotta is browned and the casserole is hot.

Nutrition Information
Per Serving: 487 calories (22% calories from fat), 36 g protein, 12 g total fat (5.2 g saturated fat), 55 g carbohydrates, 4 g dietary fiber, 51 mg cholesterol, 925 mg sodium
Diabetic exchanges: 4 lean protein, 3 1/2 carbohydrate (2 1/2 bread/starch), 3 vegetable)

Original Recipe: Baked Ziti with Meatballs

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