Detailed Review Of The MiniMed 670G From Medtronic

Detailed Review of the MiniMed 670G from Medtronic

The MiniMed 670G from Medtronic is an insulin pump coupled with a glucose sensor. It uses a computer program (called an “algorithm”) to automate certain aspects of insulin delivery. I decided to try the 670G partially out of professional interest (everybody and their great aunt have been asking for my opinion on the system), and partially out of personal interest, as my blood glucose control hasn’t been the greatest the past couple of years.
Let me start out by saying this:
Since I started using 670G, my overall blood glucose control is better.
I have to keep reminding myself of this non-inconsequential fact, because every day I find things about this system that I don’t particularly like.
In my opinion, the pump itself leaves a lot to be desired. There are so many features and so many menus and so many safety/confirmation steps that my button thumb is starting to form a blister. The color screen is nice, but not large enough to display everything it needs to display. And the freakin’ clip is upside down. The reservoir connector pokes me in the gut every time I bend over, and I have to unclip it to see the screen and programming menus in the proper orientation.
The “hybrid closed loop” part of the system (what I prefer to call the “semi-automatic feature”) is what makes 670G special. It functions by making adjustments to the BASAL insulin based on data received from the linked glucose sensor. Since previous-generation Medtronic sensors (Sof-Sensor, Enlite) were, shall we say, less than optimal, I went into this highly skeptical. After all, if the sensor is Continue reading

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Can type 2 diabetes be reversed? Strategies, goals, and evidence

Can type 2 diabetes be reversed? Strategies, goals, and evidence
Type 2 diabetes often arises with increased weight and obesity. Because of this, it is possible to reverse type 2 diabetes' effects through weight loss and lifestyle changes.
However, there is always the risk of symptoms returning. For this reason, experts are wary of suggesting that type 2 diabetes is curable. Instead, when a person reaches normal blood sugar levels without medication, they are said to be in remission.
Recent research explores three strategies for achieving remission: very low-calorie diet, intensive lifestyle therapy, and weight-loss surgery.
Studies suggest that a low-calorie diet may enable a person to reach normal blood sugar levels without medication.
A review published in the journal Clinical Science suggests that every individual has their own "personal fat threshold." If the amount of fat that builds up in key organs exceeds this threshold, cells are blocked from responding to insulin .
The goal of a short-term very low-calorie diet is to burn fat from key organs quickly. This does two things:
Kickstarts the response of cells to insulin.
Gives the pancreas a rest. Though the pancreas initially works hard to secrete extra insulin, it will eventually burn out.
With the body's insulin production and sensitivity reset, people can move toward a long-term low-calorie diet and healthful lifestyle plan.
A recent study in the journal Diabetes Care tested the very low-calorie approach in 30 people. The study used a three-step program:
an 8-week diet of nutrition shakes and nonstarc Continue reading

Can Diabetics Eat Peanut Butter?

Are you diabetic? If you are, then there must be various restrictions for you regarding food that you take. It is really painful to follow such restricted guidelines regarding food, but due to your health condition, you have to forcefully follow the advice as given by your doctor from time to time. It may be that you may have a liking for peanut butter. But maybe due to certain restrictions you do not have the liberty to have that liked butter of yours.
If you have such a condition, then this article is for you. Just continue reading, and you will know whether you can have peanut butter.
Fact about peanut butter that will make you happy
There are certain facts about peanut butter will make you happy. First of all, let me inform you that you can have peanut butter to manage the diabetic condition that you have. It is great news, isnt it? It is good to know how this nature of butter can help you in your condition of diabetics.
How peanut butter helps in diabetic conditions
Past observations show that foods that are rich in Magnesium have defensive benefits against the expansion of diabetic patients. It is good to hear that peanut butter is a rich source of magnesium. Magnesium plays a role in the effective control of metabolic syndrome, inflammation, and insulin resistance. So, you definitely can have it.
Must Read: Is Almond Milk Good for Diabetics?
Another feature of this food material also makes it suitable to be used by you even though you have diabetes. Peanut butter is also a low glycemic index food. It means that consumption of peanut butter will not have a ba Continue reading

New Study Shows Artificial Sweeteners Can Lead to Diabetes

Over 3 Million Acres Damaged by Chemical Arson as Plants Wither and Die From Chemical Burns
Researchers at the University of Adelaide in Australia revealed that artificial sweeteners impair the bodys response to glucose, reducing control of blood sugar levels
It took just two weeks for the artificial sweetener group to show adverse effects to their blood sugar levels, including a reduction in numbers of the gut peptide GLP-1, which limits the rise in blood sugar after eating
While public health agencies continue to support the use of artificial sweeteners, one Yale University cardiologist, and ex-diet soda fiend, is speaking out against them
The American Diabetes Association states foods and drinks that use artificial sweeteners are an option that "may help curb your cravings for something sweet" if you have diabetes. They're among a number of public health organizations spreading the deceptive and incorrect message that artificial sweeteners make a sensible alternative to sugar for diabetics even as the research continues to accumulate to the contrary.
In a small, preliminary study presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Lisbon, Portugal, researchers at the University of Adelaide in Australia revealed that artificial sweeteners impair the body's response to glucose, reducing control of blood sugar levels . 1 , 2 The study involved 27 healthy participants who were given either capsules of the artificial sweeteners sucralose (brand name Splenda) and acesulfame K in an amount equivalent to consuming 1.5 liters of diet drinks a day Continue reading

Easy Ways to Treat Itchiness Caused by Diabetes

If you happen to have diabetes, you may be all too well acquainted with that annoying, itchy feeling. It is a very common sign of heightened blood glucose levels, which is also diabetes’s defining factor.
But good news! We have provided you with multiple ways to achieve much-needed and much-deserved relief from such unbearable itchiness. Read on to find out how to soothe any irritated skin you might have.
Method #1: Lifestyle Changes
1. Prevent Your Skin from Becoming Dry
Keeping your skin well-hydrated is a must. You can do so using a variety of skin creams and moisturizers. However, it is of utmost importance that you avoid any scented creams and lotions, as your skin may have a reaction to them, resulting in even more itching!
Make sure to moisturize your skin on a daily basis, after showering would be best. Once again, be sure to use mild soaps instead of scented versions, as they may further irritate and dry out your skin due to their chemical content.
2. Change The Way You Bathe
While bathing is always considered a good thing, doing it too frequently can only worsen your itching. So best to limit bathing to once every second day. Of course, the frequency can vary depending on your activities, as well other outside factors such as climate.
Furthermore, avoid washing with water which is too hot, as that causes further skin irritation. Best to use water at room temperature or even lower. Hot water is also bad for another reason: it dilates one’s vessels, which also speeds up the metabolism of insulin.
This can trigger hypoglycemia. And yet another reason why diabetic Continue reading