Monday, November 23, 2009

The Benefit of Understanding the Effects of the Food We Eat

There is a movement out there gaining momentum, urging us to pay attention to what we eat. We've been hearing it quietly for years but perhaps haven't paid to much attention to it.

Sometimes the message is relayed by organizations/people we recognize as experts.

The last couple of weeks I took part the Canadian Diabetes Association - Kawartha Branch - 2009 Celebrity Challenge. During this event I learned about the shocking increase in diabetes diagnoses and a great number of the patients could delay or even PREVENT the disease if they watched their diet, exercised and checked with their doctor.

Last night I watched Jamie Oliver's "Ministry of Food" as he motivated participants to learn how to prepare fresh food from scratch and share that knowledge with co-workers, friends and family. I realise that this was a re-run - but I hadn't seen it yet. His message: Obesity is an epidemic which can be helped with knowledge and some basic skills that seem to be lost in our world of processed and pre-prepared foods.

Sometimes the message is in a more person form - your own health.

Early this year my dear husband became very ill. His condition was eluding a diagnosis, worsening weekly and after a few visits to the emergency department (like many, we don't have a local family doctor) we decided we needed to look for another approach. Although the medical field doesn't like you to self-diagnose, there are times when you feel that it may be your only option. The side-effects from the prescribed drugs were about as bad as the original symptoms. There were many possible illnesses that could explain what my husband was going through. Knowing this, helped us push for more tests.

During the last four months, while we were looking for a diagnosis from the doctor, my husband was also seeing an RHN - Registered Natural Nutritionist. She worked with us to determine foods that were causing distress, foods that would aid in healing and supplements that would help heal and aid in the digestive process. "Carol" is a wealth of information and has helped Don immensely. He still has a way to go, but he is getting stronger every week.

The more I researched on the issues Don was dealing with, the more I realized how many people are having the same experiences. I cant tell you how many case studies I read where people suffered for months, even years before they made the connection of how foods made a huge impact on their healing process.

The benefit of understanding the effects of the food we eat is that we can change our future outlook.

This isn't a commercial or a recommendation for products. It's just a simple message: if you're having health problems, take a serious look at what you're eating. Talk to a nutritionist. Eliminate food with preservatives. It can make a world of difference!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Opportunity to Learn - Volunteer

I was speaking with some friends last week and the conversation came around to boring work days. They are a few years older that I am, therefore a bit closer to thinking about retirement. They started talking about the things they wanted to do and were quite taken aback when I said that I wasn't planning on retiring. I happen to like my work and look forward to it every day (ok, most days ... LOL).

Being employed in a technical field, I find that each day I learn something new. I enjoy a challenge and learning is just part of my regular work day. Speaking with them reminded me how lucky I was to be in the position that I was challenged to research & learn regularly. As with most jobs there are repetitive tasks, but something almost always crops up that I have to find a solution to.

Not only does my job provide this opportunity, but so does my chosen hobby! This week is my second shot at learning how to create a TV show from all of the footage that we shoot for FOCUS. Last week I helped pull together a clip for the web from a previous show. The process was interesting, creative and it was very exciting to see the finished product.

The opportunity to learn ensures that I look forward to my work, my day. I believe I think more creatively and am generally optimistic as my mind is open to ideas, thanks to the ongoing learning process.

If your job doesn't offer the opportunity, why not seek out a hobby that does (volunteer some spare time). All it costs is your time and enthusiasm and you and the community will benefit.

Check this website for an organization that might interest you: http://www.charity-charities.org/volunteering/Canada-volunteers/ON.html

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

2009 Diabetes Celebrity Challenge - Lasting Impressions

There were thirteen of us in all that participated and we were challenged to live with diabetes for two weeks. On the final night of the challenge and we told our stories of the experience.

There were silimarities in experiences amongst the participants such as difficulty scheduling meals around hectic lifestyles and incorporating more exercise. It was facinating to hear the different stories of how the experience of got us to thinking of the implications of diabetes on the lives of family, community and the rest of the world.

Jonathan wrote about the increase in diabetes in developing countries, Betsy talked about the financial burden on diabetics, particulaly on low income families. The two student participants, Callie and Michelle relayed their stories of trying to incoporate a schedule into a lifestyle that resists one. My focus, after reading all that I could was - what can we do to prevent this?

We were presented with the costs of our two week treatments. If I had a health plan, which I don't - some of it would be covered. For me though it would have been about $100 out of pocket for two weeks and all I was doing for my diabetes was testing blood glucose once a day and taking a medicines for blood pressure, cholesterol and arthritis. Anually it would be about $2,500 plus a gym membership, a visit to the foot doctor, quarterly trips to the Diabetes Education Centre and family doctor (if I had one), parking, transportation, time away from work ... perhaps another $1000.

The other profile costs were also provided and the costs skyrocketed from $7,000 to over $13,400 anually although was for a relatively low number of insulin units (5-10) per day. Many people with Type 1 Diabetes take more insulin per dose/per day.

I read the warning signs, tested my blood glucose and I'm good right now. I am over 40, stressed and overweight. I don't exercise regularly, don't drink enough water, but I do eat very healthy most of the time. Am I likley to be diagnosed with diabetes in the next year - no. Could I be at risk later - certainly.

The common thought last night was that we can do something to help prevent or postpone this from happening to us. Eating healthy, losing weight and getting active can go a long way to providing us a diabetes free future along with a whole range of other issues.

Although we have now finished the challenge - I know that I'll be thinking of this for a long time and will be doing what I can to keep up a healthy lifestyle.

Find out what you can do to help ensure your healthy future - knowledge is power!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Diabetes Month - Gaining Awareness

Canadian Diabetes Association - Kawarthas Branch is celebrating Diabetes Month with a Celebrity Challenge. A group of local people will be living the next two weeks as diabetics to see and report back on the experience.

During this time we will test our blood glucose levels, eat according to the guidelines, get active, take placebo meds and for those who have a profile that requires insulin, give a placebo injection to their pillow. Everything must be documented so that we can report on our experiences.

I was a bit nervous when I arrived as I am afraid of needles. I was pleased to find out that my profile simply required diet and exercise (we'll come back to that word - simply later).

The group of people selected was strategically divided into categories based on our regional diabetes profile. Some were labeled as Type 1 diabetes, many more as Type 2. The Type 2 profiles varied from management by diet and exercise to management including insulin.

Our Dietitian talked to us about the importance of a proper balance of all of the food groups, but most importantly the method to measure our carbohydrate intake. We weren't to avoid carbs, as they are needed, but we need to know how much we take in to ensure the body can manage the sugar created by these carbs.

The next demonstration was how to work with our glucometers and test our blood glucose. There is a bit of finesse needed to make sure you have your blood sample ready before your meter times out, as TVCogeco Producer Marcus Ferguson found out, but after a few tries all was well. These new meters are very smart and they can provide a reading very quickly once you know what you are doing.

The final demonstration was for the few who would be required to do the placebo insulin injections. They were provided with an injectable pen and needed accessories, saline solution and a little green pillow that would accept the injection.

After all training was done we left the meeting ready to assume our role as diabetics for the next two weeks.

Now, I was thinking that diet and exercise was going to be fairly simple as I have already made many changes recently due to my husband's health issues. We don't eat prepackaged food any longer. I make almost everything from scratch now and seldom use a recipe. Sounds ideal until you have to calculate carbohydrates. I can guess - but that might mean a trip to the hospital for a diabetic. I have some homework to do obviously.

Also - I was surprised to find out that even though a person may manage their diabetes by diet and exercise, they would also be taking a host of medications for other issues such as high blood pressure, arthritis, high cholesterol etc.

Read all about our experiences here: http://cda-celebritychallenge2009.blogspot.com/

The incidents of diabetes in on the rise.
Currently, over two million Canadians have diabetes and that number is expected to reach three million by 2010. It's important to recognize the warning signs and get tested, as you can avoid or prolong other health issues if you manage your diabetes properly. http://www.diabetes.ca/about-diabetes/what/at-risk/