Diabetes Test Strips
Tweet Blood glucose test strips (diabetes test strips) are a key component of blood glucose testing. These small disposable strips of plastic may look insignificant but they provide a very important role in helping people with diabetes to monitor and control their diabetes. In the vast majority of cases, each meter will take one type of test strip only. There are some blood glucose meters however that take blood ketone strips as well, to test for ketone levels. How do diabetes test strips work? When blood is placed onto the test strip, it reacts with a chemical called glucose oxidase producing gluconic acid from the glucose in the blood. At the other end of the test strip, the meter transfers a current to the test strip. The test strip has electric terminals which allow the meter to measure the current between the terminals. The current between the terminals changes depending on the level of gluconic acid that has been produced. The blood glucose meter then uses an algorithm to work out the blood glucose level based upon the difference in current. Some blood glucose test strips allow the reapplication of more blood to the same test strip if needed during the test. The amount of blood required by a test strip can vary between manufacturers. Generally, between 0.5 μl to 1 μl of blood is required. Some test strips, not so commonly used these days, do not require a meter. When blood is placed on the active part of the strip and then wiped off after a specified number of seconds, the reagent will change colour and the result can be obtained by matching the colour of against a colour chart on the side of the pot. It is less accurate than using a blood glucose meter but the test strips can often be cheaper. Where can I get test strips? Within the UK, blood glucose test strip Continue reading >>
Freestyle Optium Neo Blood Glucose Meter - Free @ Abbottdiabetescare.co.uk
I just received my new Freestyle blood glucose meter in the post today. Brand new to market from Abbott Diabetes Care. I must say it looks cracking! It uses an e-reader screen so is way better than my old one. It is also really slim and fits in my pocket easily. Terms and conditions state that it is free only for people who use insulin (I test multiple times a day and their site accepted my application). No details on how long this offer is on for or how many they have available mind so better get your order in fast! Here's the blurb from the site: - Highlights when your blood glucose patterns need attention - Log Insulin Doses - Lets you log insulin doses you have taken - Quick, accurate blood glucose testing - Clear, sharp screen † Free for insulin users only Meter Benefits: - Reads like paper with no glare, even in bright sunlight - Large, high contrast, press screen, display designed to be easy to use, easy to see - Icon driven display - Weighs 33-37g including batteries Continue reading >>
- Abbott's Revolutionary Continuous Glucose Monitoring System, FreeStyle Libre, Now Available To Medicare Patients - Jan 4, 2018
- High rates of scanning with Abbott′s FreeStyle Libre system linked to improved glucose control in diabetes patients
- The FreeStyle Libre, a device for monitoring blood sugar, is a pleasure to use.
Superdrug Optimum Swiss Apple Cream
What is it with Superdrug? I just never think its a good as Boots and that anything of their own brand is going to be rubbish compared to the same product produced by Boots. I think its called being a snob? So I was in need of a moisturiser and I was in Superdrug and spotted the day cream version of the much hailed Swiss Apple night serum. I am sure you have all heard about this so I'll precis. Scientists in Switzerland noticed that when the apple fell from the tree it didnt wrinkle as rapidly as they had expected so they assumed that something in the apple was preventing early on-set wrinkling. Which leads me to conclude that a) Swiss scientists are horribly under employed and b) that they have really weird thought processes. So having done some scientific stuff at the apple they drew out the magic ingredient and sold it to the people that make a serum that costs £245 and to Superdrug who make a serum that costs £11.99. Which, frankly, is also pretty odd and makes me think that the Superdrug serum was once stored on the shelf next to the appley magic stuff but thats as close as it got and likewise the newly released £9.99 day cream would be similarly lacking in any kind of active ingredient. Here is the back of the box so you can read the dramatic claims for yourself: Some pretty big claims don't you think?To be honest it was the mention of Hyaluronic Acid that swung it for me as I am pretty sure I read somewhere recently that its fab. I have to say that for £9.99 its as nicely packaged as some of the more expensive creams I have tried. Nice heavy glass jar and I like that the jar was sealed with a foil seal - it is Superdrug after all where finding a product that 20 thirteen year olds haven't already slormed all over the faces can be a complete chore. The cream it Continue reading >>
The Ironman Guide To Ketosis
Written by Megan Roberts, MSc, and Tommy Wood MD, PhD What if there was a way to: Restore the boundless energy of your youth Improve your body composition and mood Eliminate the gas and bloating that plagues your every race Fuel your races without Gatorade and sugary gels AND regularly indulge in bacon, eggs, and butter??? Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, the truth is that all of the above (and more) is achievable by embracing some diet and lifestyle changes. The crux of the secret - the ketogenic diet. Perhaps you’ve heard of the ketogenic diet being touted for its weight loss efficacy. Or maybe you’ve heard it mentioned on Internet forums as the cure-all for everything from migraines to Alzheimer's to the pain in your little toe. But you? You’re an IRONMAN triathlete! You NEED carbohydrates to fuel your races, right??? Unfortunately, following that conventional sports nutrition advice has brought many desperate athletes to their knees, searching for an alternative when their health and training begin to suffer despite eating all those healthy whole grains. This is the first in a series of articles that will introduce you to the ketogenic diet, specifically for the IRONMAN athlete. At the end of this article, you will have the basics to decide whether or not a ketogenic diet might be right for you. What is ketosis? Before answering the big question of how to get into ketosis, let’s define what ketosis actually is. Ketosis is a metabolic state in which you’re predominantly burning fat for fuel. Note that this is not the same as diabetic ketoacidosis, which is characterized by high levels of both ketones and sugar in the blood, particularly in patients with type 1 diabetes. In this case we’re talking about nutritional ketosis, which is a natural metab Continue reading >>
