Renee Gosselin, MS MBA RD

Nutrition Instructor 

  

In healthcare, we mostly hear about Type 1 Diabetes (insulin dependent), Type 2 Diabetes (insulin resistant) and Gestational Diabetes (pregnancy related). However, there is another type that is normally not addressed or not even acknowledged, Type 1.5 (pronounced Type 1 and a half) or Latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA). Latent autoimmune diabetes of adults is often mistaken for Type 2 Diabetes. This normally progresses in adults and can take months to years to develop.  With LADA, there are autoantibodies present meaning there is an autoimmune response occurring and normally insulin dependence occurs within 6 months.  There is no prevention of LADA; however, having a healthy lifestyle with exercise and following a carbohydrate exchange list meal plan or diet is optimal.Individuals with LADA can experience insulin resistance as well. 

 

Why is this important for individuals interested in health and wellness to be aware of? If an individual is not responding well to medications and possibly diet changes, this could be the cause. It is not very common but it is something to be aware of. Individuals may have a diagnosis with Type 2 Diabetes due to this occurring in adulthood. This actually did occur in a case of one of my coworkers and she was misdiagnosed. It took 3 years of poor blood glucose control and finally a professional found the antiantibodies within in her bloodwork results. 

 

Nutritionist, healthcare professionals, and friends/family members of an individual should pay special attention to this diagnosis due to carbohydrate counting and specific diabetic teaching that occur. Diagnosis of LADA could provide a long-term wellness plan for the individual to receive the best care possible.

Lastly, here is a good link for a reference: http://www.diabetesforecast.org/2010/may/the-other-diabetes-lada-or-type-1-5.html

 Mary Oleksowicz, MSTOM , L.Ac.

One of my favorite summer crops are peppers both hot and sweet. It seems as though they come in bumper crops especially as the summer season ends. One way to save these wonderful veggies is to chop or slice them then freeze the pieces on a cookie sheet until they’re solid. You can then transfer the pieces to plastic freezer bags which allow you to take out just enough that you need for a particular recipe. Thin fleshed peppers such as cayenne or jalapeno can be dried outside. Pepper can be hung on a string or dried on a screen lined with brown paper in an airy, shady spot, as long as your weather is still hot and dry. Upcycling old screens found at tag sales is often sufficient and eco-friendly. You can also use “splatter protectors” available at the local discount stores.  I have also experimented many times with homemade hot sauces. For hotter sauces retain the seeds for milder sauces remove the seeds and add fruits. Pineapple is usually a wonderful surprise.

Herbs can also be preserved by air drying similar to the aforementioned method used with peppers.  I tend to use this for herbs such as mints which will be used as teas. For herbs used for cooking , blending the herbs with oil or butter ( or both ).  Place washed and de-stemmed herbs in a  food processor with 1/3 cup olive oil for every 2 cups leaves, or 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick) per 2 to 4 tablespoons leaves. Feel free to add garlic or ginger if you like. Package the herb blend in quart size freezer bags and allow them to freeze flat so that just the right amount can be out and added to your favorite recipe.  Mixing the herbs with butter or oil allows for the aromatic oils and prevents the  herbs from being soggy as can occur with  frozen water methods. On average these blends last six months in the freezer. 

I hope you have enjoyed these simple yet effective ways to preserve summer freshness for the remainder of the year.

By Melissa Dengler, ND

I am sure that we have all said from to time that we need to eat better or exercise more. We often will be inspired to make changes whether it be with New Year’s Resolutions, plans to fit into your summer bathing suit or after being inspired from watching a movie or reading a magazine article.  Let’s face it, everyone wants to get better yesterday. People come to my office with a myriad of complaints. Everything from irritable bowel to fatigue to hormonal imbalances to diabetes. Most people come to my office with a poor understanding of healthy eating, no exercise, unmanaged stress, and toxic overload. This leads them to feeling fat, fatigued, depressed and in pain. The majority have been to doctor after doctor and placed on one medication after another…all to no avail. They are frustrated of being told it’s normal to feel sick and they are tired of being tired. 

So why is it so hard and complicated to get and stay healthy? I suggest it’s not…. if we master the basics. So what are those basics? Here is a simple take-home list of rules for everyone who wants to take steps to live a healthier life.

Eat Right. Eating right means we need to consume whole, unprocessed foods. Studies have shown that animals who cut their calories in half live longest and that obesity in animals accelerates aging. Fat is pro-inflammatory and increases our stress hormones. Any excess body fat is taking you down the path of increased illness. Excess body fat creates the environment where cancer is likely to grow. Eat light, clean (organic), unprocessed and mostly plant based.

Drink Right. A healthy body is made up of 2/3 water. To really drink right, we need to make sure the water we consume is clean and filtered. Remember to add 4 ounces of water for every 15 minutes of exercise or intense heat you experience.

Think Right. In order for us to think right, we need a healthy brain. The structures in the brain are water and fat. We need to provide the brain with enough water and omega-3 fats, mostly found in cold water fish. Managing our stress and exercise are also keys to a healthy brain and thinking right.

Move Right. In order to move right, people need to move naturally and preferably in nature. When you exercise, your brain and muscles will be better, stronger and smarter.. Intense physical activity will also increase growth hormones, which are the most powerful fat-burning hormones. A good move right tip: In order to get the best workout possible and to release the growth hormones, you need to break a sweat.

Sleep Right. Your brain is more active when you sleep than when you’re awake. The whole body is going through a cleansing, nourishing rejuvenation program when you sleep. Your immune system is calming down and the body is settling down from stress hormones. In order to sleep right, how much sleep do we need? Generally most people need between 7-8 hours of sleep a night. The best sleep right tips are to listen to your body, stay away from electronics before bed, do some reading, do not have any light source in the room and create a cooler environment.

Poop Right. The primary job of the colon is absorption. To poop right, you need to eliminate waste in a timely manner. If you don’t eliminate that waste in a timely manner, you are essentially poisoning yourself with what you have absorbed from the bowels. If you have good elimination patterns, have the right amount of fiber, water and neurologic tone, you should eliminate whatever you put into your mouth and swallow between 18 and 22 hours.

Love Right. When looking for lasting love, forget what looks right, forget what you think should be right, and forget what your friends, parents, or other people think is right, and ask yourself: Does the relationship feel right to me? A healthy relationship is when two people develop a connection based on: mutual respect , trust, honesty, support, fairness/equality, separate identities, good communication and a sense of playfulness/fondness.

Talk Right. All good relationships require communication. In talk right – we discuss two ways we need to talk – through our cells and to ourselves. Our bodies are made up of billions of cells. These cells talk to each other, to their neighbors and to themselves. Additionally, you need to focus on the way you talk to yourself. We know that when people have positive self-talk and a positive attitude, they have a stronger immune system, a greater ability to fight off cancer and subsequently they live longer.

These are things to strive to get right everyday. Begin today.  And then do them again tomorrow. And the next day. One day at a time, for the rest of your life. May it be long and healthy!