Nicotine and Diabetes

Written by Cara Schrager, MPH, RD, CDCES It is well known that smoking cigarettes causes a multitude of health problems including but not limited to cancer, heart disease, stroke, COPD and diabetes. Studies have shown that cigarette smokers are 30-40% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than non-cigarette smokers (1). Those who have diabetesContinue reading “Nicotine and Diabetes”

Incretin Hormones: The role of GIP and GLP-1  

Written by Kelsey Schaffstall Young MS, RDN, LDN On May 13 2022, the Food and Drug Administration approved a new medication called Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes.1 Results from clinical trials have shown that it is even more effective at regulating blood glucose and promoting weight loss than existing diabetes drugs.1Continue reading “Incretin Hormones: The role of GIP and GLP-1  “

Diabetes Medications: Understanding The Options

Written by: Kenzie Provencher, Dietetic Intern There are so many different medications for the management of diabetes it can be hard to understand where all the recommendations come from, and why your doctor has recommended one medication over another. In this blog we’ll dive into a brief explanation of some of the considerations for choosingContinue reading “Diabetes Medications: Understanding The Options”

What To Know About Gestational Diabetes

Encountering gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during pregnancy can be daunting. Some people understandably feel anxious about whether they will develop GDM, and if so, how it will affect the health of their pregnancy. GDM is a common pregnancy complication that occurs in about 10% of pregnancies (1). Yet, it can be helpful to gain moreContinue reading “What To Know About Gestational Diabetes”

Diabetes and Dietary Supplements

The dietary supplement business is a billion dollar industry. It is unregulated by the FDA and is often unsupported by science. However, what if people with diabetes need supplements? What nutrients might be lacking in people with diabetes? What are some reasons that people with diabetes need supplements? Is there any harm in taking them?Continue reading “Diabetes and Dietary Supplements”

Plant-Based Diets for Diabetes Prevention and Management

What is a Plant-Based Diet? Plant-based diets are increasingly becoming popular, but the number of people eating plant-based foods is still relatively low and a majority of the world population continues to eat more meat than generally recommended (1).  A plant-based diet, different from veganism or vegetarianism, includes all foods that are derived from plants,Continue reading “Plant-Based Diets for Diabetes Prevention and Management”

What is Resistant Starch?

What is Resistant Starch? Written by: Brandy Ireland, Dietetic Intern Let’s start off with what starches are in general. Rapidly digestible starches are found in high amounts in starchy foods such as potatoes and bread that are cooked by moist heat. This type of starch is converted into glucose within 20 minutes from the startContinue reading “What is Resistant Starch?”

What is the Link Between Diabetes and Depression?

Written by: Alicia Rodrigo-Miller, Dietetic Intern Does Diabetes Increase the Risk of Depression? Depression is defined as a group of conditions associated with the elevation or lowering of a person’s mood and can present itself in a number of ways (1). Depression can range from mild to severe and often shows up as feelings ofContinue reading “What is the Link Between Diabetes and Depression?”

Alpha Lipoic Acid and Diabetic Neuropathy

What is Alpha Lipoic Acid? Alpha Lipoic Acid, better known as ALA, is a naturally occurring sulfur-containing compound found in the human body. It plays a major role in helping with energy production within the mitochondria, which are our energy-producing cells (1). It has been a topic of interest as of late due to it’sContinue reading “Alpha Lipoic Acid and Diabetic Neuropathy”

What is the Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?

Written by: Kate Quigly, intern at Hailey Crean Nutrition, LLC What Is Diabetes? The prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes in the United States is rising.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 100 million Americans are now living with prediabetes or diabetes (4).  With estimates that high, it’s not unlikely that you eitherContinue reading “What is the Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?”