Monthly Archives: February 2010

Which Pedometer Should I Get?

Setting a goal of walking 10,000 steps a day could motivate you to become active enough to gain the health benefits of exercise.  You count steps automatically with a pedometer.  Regular exercise also helps keep lost weight from returning. Thanks to the … Continue reading

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Alcohol Habit (Especially Wine) Started in Middle-Age Reduces Heart Attack and Stroke

Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding.  His mother asked him to do it.  Of all the miracles he performed and could have performed, I wonder why this is the first one recorded in the Holy Bible. We have … Continue reading

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Filed under Alcohol, coronary heart disease, Mediterranean Diet, Stroke

Recipe: Arizona’s Baked Cheesecake (low-carb)

My daughter, Arizona, enjoys baking.  I’m nudging her into low-carb baking since I miss my sweets.  I’m still low-carbing, so I can’t eat a lot of what she bakes.   Arizona is used to the commercial cheesecakes based on a pre-mixed box: you … Continue reading

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Drug Review: Insulin

I was going to do a brief review of insulin therapy here, but I found a good one at About.com.  So why re-invent the wheel? If interested, click through to the article by Michael Bihari, M.D.: Insulin for type 2 diabetes: What … Continue reading

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Brief Drug Review: Pramlintide

Pramlintide is sold in the U.S. as Symlin.  It’s only used in patients already taking meal-time rapid-acting insulin.  Pramlintide may have a role in treatment of overweight type 2 diabetics inadequately controlled on insulin, or who experience weight gain refractory to diet and exercise. Remember that … Continue reading

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Drug Review: Colesevelam

Colesevelam is used primarily to reduce elevated levels of LDL cholesterol.  It’s sold in the U.S. as WelChol.  Remember that drug names vary by country and manufacturer.  This is a brief review; consult your physician or pharmacist for details. Class:  … Continue reading

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Drug Review: Dipeptidyl-Peptidase-4 Inhibitors (sitagliptin, saxagliptin, linagliptin)

The three dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 inhibitors available in the U.S. are sitagliptin (sold as Januvia), saxagliptin (sold as Onglyza), and linagliptin (Tradjenta). Vildagliptin is available in other countries.  Remember that drug names vary by country and manufacturer.  This is a brief drug review; … Continue reading

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Another Sacred Cow Slaughtered: Fruits and Vegetables DON’T Prevent Cancer

We’ve been told by the authorities repetitively that eating plenty of fruits and vegetables will lower our risk of cancer.  However, a recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition says that ain’t so. Fire up the grill—we’re havin’ steak tonight! Researchers looked … Continue reading

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Filed under cancer, Fruits, Mediterranean Diet, Vegetables

Drug Review: Sulfonylureas

Sulfonylureas (SUs) in 2010 are still the most widely used drugs for treatment of type 2 diabetes.  At least six different SUs are in common usage in the U.S., including glipizide, glimiperide, and glyburide.  They are often prescribed for patients who do … Continue reading

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You Know About Insulin. And Now, the REST of the Story . . .

When we digest carbohydrates, blood sugar rises.  If it goes too high it causes problems.  Everybody knows that insulin lowers blood sugar levels, right?  Less well-known is that regulation of blood sugar is the result of complex interactions of multiple … Continue reading

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Filed under Carbohydrate, Causes of Diabetes