Eileen Mikus Website

Holiday planning

Eileen Mikus — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:58:35 GMT

Enjoy the holidays without ignoring blood glucose control. Don't pass up favorite foods or deprive yourself completely. Moderate consumption is the key. Exercise an hour each day during the holidays. Exercise to burn calories, relieve stress, and elevate your mood - take a brisk walk, run, or get on that bike/treadmill. Alcoholic beverages pack on the calories, so if you do drink alcohol, start with a non-alcoholic drink first, then have only one light beer or small glass of wine/champagne spritzer. If you are at the mercy of your dinner host, use the plate method - fill half your plate with low calorie (non-starchy) vegetables, and skip the second helpings.

Personal Counseling and Web-Based Strategies Show Modest Success for Sustaining Weight Loss

Eileen Mikus — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:31:55 GMT

Adults who lost weight in a six-month program were able to keep at least some of the weight off for 2.5 years with the help of brief monthly personal counseling, according to a new study from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health. A Web-based intervention also helped participants keep the weight off for two years, but the benefit waned during the last six months of the trial.

We have well-tested techniques for successful weight loss, but preventing weight re-gain is especially challenging, said Elizabeth G. Nabel, M.D., director, NHLBI.

Weight loss is shown to lower blood pressure, lower LDL "bad" cholesterol, and help prevent type 2 diabetes. Each 2.2 pounds of weight loss can lower blood pressure by one point and can lower the risk of developing diabetes by 16 percent in high-risk adults. Results of the Weight Loss Maintenance Trial are published in the March 12, 2008, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

How much carb to lose weight?

Eileen Mikus — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:47:29 GMT

A new study published in the May Journal of the American Medical Association shows a greater weight loss on a 40% carbohydrate diet for those with high circulating insulin levels.
Many people with Insulin Resisitance have a higher than average insulin level in their bloodstream. This study shows that for those people, a diet of controlled carbohydrate and fat (40% and 35% respectively) resulted in 5 times greater weight loss than following a low fat diet (55% carbohydrate and 20% fat). Those struggling to lose weight may need to get their insulin levels checked, then control their carbohydrate and fat intake accordingly.

Misinformation

Eileen Mikus — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 18:36:31 GMT

The American Dietetic Association warns consumers of the common sources of food and nutrition MISINFORMATION:

Media reports of scientific studies that do not put findings in “sufficient context for consumers to understand the findings.”
Web sites containing “questionable, inaccurate or alarming nutrition information promoted by individuals and groups supporting unscientific views.”
Companies promoting “dietary supplements or unproven weight loss products (claiming) their products can prevent or cure disease.”

When you have questions about nutrition, contact a Registered Dietitian.

Welcome!

Eileen Mikus — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 15:15:13 GMT

Welcome to my home on the web, where you can find resources and tools to help manage your diabetes. Use this site to send me email, check my schedule, download blood glucose logs and other helpful tools, and learn more about diabetes.

The tabs located at the top right of the page will help you find what you need. Use the "About Me" tab to find out more about me and see my group schedule. The "Resources" tab is a library of helpful tools and information to help you manage and learn more about your diabetes. Finally "Blog" will take you to a collection of my personal tips, practice updates, and other useful information that is updated regularly.