Skip to content
Menu

Category: Diabetes

Health Benefits of Drinking Warm Lemon Water

Posted on by Pentucket Medical

benefits of lemon water

Drinking warm lemon water is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to keep yourself healthy!

Here are 16 reasons to add warm lemon water to your diet:

  1. Lemon is an excellent and rich source of vitamin C, an essential nutrient that protects the body against immune system deficiencies
  2. Lemons contain pectin fiber which is very beneficial for colon health and also serves as a powerful antibacterial
  3. It balances maintain the pH levels in the body
  4. Having warm lemon juice early in the morning helps flush out toxins
  5. It aids digestion and encourages the production of bile
  6. It is also a great source citric acid, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium
  7. It helps prevent the growth and multiplication of pathogenic bacteria that cause infections and diseases
  8. It helps reducing pain and inflammation in joints and knees as it dissolves uric acid
  9. It helps cure the common cold
  10. The potassium content in lemon helps nourish brain and nerve cells
  11. It strengthens the liver by providing energy to the liver enzymes when they are too dilute
  12. It helps balance the calcium and oxygen levels in the liver In case of a heart burn, taking a glass of concentrated lemon juice can give relief
  13. It is of immense benefit to the skin and it prevents the formation of wrinkles and acne
  14. It helps maintain the health of the eyes and helps fight against eye problems
  15. Aids in the production of digestive juices
  16. Lemon juice helps replenish body salts especially after a strenuous workout session

source: http://foodmatters.tv/articles-1/cheers-to-drinking-warm-lemon-water

Heart Healthy Vegetable Soup Recipe

Posted on by Pentucket Medical

healthy soup recipes

Looking for some heart healthy inspiration? This vegetable soup recipe is healthy, delicious and easy to make. Team this soup with some crisp winter apples or pears and you’re ready for company. You can also make a double batch and freeze half for another meal.

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons extra virgin Olive Oil
  • ½ pound leeks, trimmed, split in half lengthwise, and well rinsed
  • 1 medium white onion, chopped
  • ½ pound carrots, thinly sliced on the diagonal
  • 2 large celery ribs, thinly sliced on the diagonal
  • 2 tablespoons dried lentils, rinsed and picked over
  • 2 tablespoons dried split peas, rinsed and picked over
  • 2 tablespoons dried small white beans, rinsed and picked over
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 2 quarts fat-free, reduced sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • One 14½-ounce can no-salt-added plum tomatoes, drained and coarsely chopped
  • ¼ pound spinach touch stems discarded

Preparation

  1. In a large soup pot, heat the oil over medium-low heat. Thinly slice the leeks and add them to the pot along with the onion. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables wilt, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the carrots, celery, lentils, peas, beans, thyme, pepper and broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Stir in the tomatoes and continue to simmer, covered, for another 15 minutes, until the white beans are tender.
  4. Stir in the spinach and simmer, uncovered, until wilted, about 3 minutes.
  5. Ladle into soup bowls and serve.

Nutritional information

Calories: 130 calories
Total Fat: 3 g
Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
Protein: 9 g
Carbohydrates: 21 g
Dietary Fiber: 5 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 130 mg
Potassium: 120 mg

Source: Cleveland Clinic Healthy Heart Lifestyle Guide and Cookbook (© 2007 Broadway Books)

Diabetes Awareness

Posted on by Pentucket Medical

information on diabetes

by Kelly Sinclair, MS, RD, CDE

Type 2 diabetes is a condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by either a lack of insulin or the body’s inability to use insulin efficiently. Type 2 diabetes develops most often in middle-aged and older adults but can appear in young people.

Here are just a few of the recent statistics on diabetes:

  • Nearly 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes, about 9% of the population.
  • Of the 30 million with diabetes, 8 million people do not yet know they have the disease.
  • Another 86 million Americans have prediabetes a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but are not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes.

People with prediabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

The American Diabetes Association has developed a 5 minute test you can take to check your own risk for Type 2 diabetes. Follow the link below:

http://www.diabetes.org/are-you-at-risk/diabetes-risk-test/

There are things you can do to significantly lower your risk of developing diabetes:

  • Lose 5-10% of your weight. For a 200 pound person that would be 10 to 20 pounds. Weight loss is the number one way to prevent type 2 diabetes.
  • Move your body almost every day. Choose activities that you enjoy and get your heart rate up like brisk walking, jogging, dancing, and swimming. If you haven’t exercises in a while start with 5 or 10 minutes every other day. The goal is 30 minutes 5 days per week. Exercise burns up calories and will help you reach your weight loss goal.
  • Eat 3 non starchy vegetables and 2 fruit servings each day. A serving is about ½ cup. Eating lower calorie vegetables and fruits can help you to lower your weight. Non starchy vegetables (everything except corn, peas, and potatoes) are so low in calories you can eat multiple servings! Add them to every meal to help you feel full.
  • Meet with a certified diabetes educator to help you get started. We are here to help you reach your goals and answer your questions.

Preventing and Controlling Diabetic Foot Problems

Posted on by Pentucket Medical

Preventing and Controlling Diabetic Foot Problems

by Joan Hultgren, RD, LDN, CDE

What types of foot problems are more likely seen with diabetes?

  1. Neuropathy (Nerve damage)

Neuropathy is one of the most common foot problems associated with diabetes.

Symptoms can include tingling, pain, burning, stinging and foot weakness. Over time, the nerve damage can lower the ability to feel temperature changes and pain. Without knowing it, burns, cuts or broken skin can occur. Items on the ground can get lodged in the foot and lead to complications.

Additionally the nerve damage can change the shape of the foot. Special shoes designed with wider and higher toe boxes can allow deformed feet from being further damaged.

  1. Callouses

Foot callouses can occur more often and build up faster with diabetes. Callouses, if not trimmed, thicken and turn into open sores (foot ulcers). To avoid burns and infections from doing home foot “surgery” and using over the counter remedies, it is best to have callouses safely removed by a podiatrist.

  1. Skin changes:

    Dry, peeling and cracked skin may occur because the nerves that control the oil and moisture in the foot are no longer working. Healthy skin is one of the ways the body is able to fight infection. Keep feet clean and use lotion.

  2. Poor Circulation:

    Diabetes causes the blood vessels of the feet and legs to narrow and harden making it difficult to fight infection and heal adequately. Feeling may be compromised, leading to difficulty in determining hot and cold sensations.

  3. Foot ulcers:

    Ulcers can form from poorly fitting shoes. They most often occur on the ball of the foot or on the bottom of the big toe. They may or may not hurt. It is extremely important that the ulcer is examined by a health care provider. X-rays may be needed to determine if the infection has reached the bone. Keeping pressure off the foot is key to healing. The foot needs to be cared for long after the ulcer heals.

  4. Amputation:

    Rates are higher with diabetes due to nerve damage and peripheral artery disease, both of which reduce blood flow. Complications requiring amputation can be greatly reduced by controlling blood glucose and blood pressure, and by not smoking.

What can be done to prevent any problems?

  • Work with your doctors and certified diabetes educators to keep blood glucose levels and blood pressure under control.
    • Additional medications, weight loss and exercise will all help.
  • Check feet daily for blisters, redness and cracked skin. Call your healthcare provider immediately if the area looks red, is swollen or worse than the day before.
  • Moisturize the feet with lotion, but limit the amount of lotion in between toes to avoid infection.
  • Wash feet daily, but avoid soaking as this can further dry the feet.
  • Avoid walking barefoot!
  • Walk to improve circulation.
  • Find ways to stop smoking! This will greatly improve circulation.
  • Make an appointment with a podiatrist for foot inspections, nail care, foot appliances and shoes to help limit complications.

 

Written by : Joan Hultgren RD LDN CDE (Certified Diabetes Educator)

Program Coordinator Pentucket Medical Associates
November 2014

Hot Days and Diabetes

Posted on by Pentucket Medical

Diabetes can be challenging to control on a day with comfortable temperatures, but as the temperatures and humidity rise, it can be downright dangerous if the body gets dehydrated. The quick loss of fluid can increase thirst, decrease urine output, result in dark urine, dizziness, excessive sweating, muscle cramping, cool/clammy skin, nausea and vomiting headaches and rapid heartbeat. If left untreated severe dehydration causes confusion, weakness, organ failure and coma.

Those with high blood glucose (sugar) to begin with are more likely to see even higher numbers as the blood becomes more concentrated.

BEST TO KEEP AHEAD OF IT!!

Drink extra non calorie, preferable decaffeinated fluids like water and non calorie flavored seltzer or water throughout the day. Avoid sweetened drinks and large amounts of caffeine! These can be more dehydrating.

Check blood glucose (sugar) numbers more often.

Avoid exercise and strenuous activity in hot weather. Do chores in the morning or later evening as temperatures cool.

Recognize the symptoms of dehydration and act quickly. Delayed treatment can difficult to treat.

Should fever, nausea and vomiting occur it is important to treat as soon as possible. Medications can be given to control symptoms. Drink small, frequent amounts of clear liquids (apple juice, regular gingerale, regular Jell-O, clear soups are all examples of fluids that replace the carbohydrates normally supplied by food)

Emergency services should be called if extreme tiredness, confusion, uncontrolled fever, nausea and vomiting can’t be controlled. Call immediately if seizures occur.

TREAT DIABETES SUPPLIES WITH CARE IN HOT WEATHER TOO!!

Just as the body struggles with hot temperatures, glucose meters, strips and insulin should be protected from the high heat. All products need to be stored in a cooler with an ice pack if in a hot car.

Insulin that is being used can be kept at room temperature for 28 to 42 days (depending upon the product) from when it is opened. If the location is hotter than room temperature, then instead store in a cooler or refrigerator.

KEEP SAFE AND ENJOY YOUR SUMMER!!!

Brought to you by the Diabetes Educators –

Joan Hultgren RD LDN CDE; Kelly Sinclair MS RD LDN CDE ; Marcia Sikorski RD LDN CDE

 

(888) 227-3762

Copyright 2023 Pentucket Medical.
All Rights Reserved.

We use cookies and other tools to enhance your experience on our website and to analyze our web traffic. For more information about these cookies and the data collected, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

×