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Living In Balance Newsletter December
2004
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Do You Know Your Hemoglobin A-1-C? |
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Hemoglobin A-1-C is a blood test that measures the amount of
glucose (sugar) attached to red blood cells. The result helps
tell you what your average blood sugar has been over the past
2-3 months. The value is reported as a percentage (%). For the
CAIR and MNAW clinic a normal A-1-C is less than 6.5%.
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Hemoglobin A-1-C (%) |
Average Blood Sugar |
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5% |
90 |
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6% |
120 |
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7% |
150 |
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8% |
180 |
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9% |
210 |
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10% |
245 |
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11% |
280 |
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12% |
310 |
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13% |
345 |
Measuring Hemoglobin A-1-C
gives you the big picture of your diabetes control, while a
blood glucose test gives you a snapshot of that moment. If your
readings and your Hemoglobin A-1-C don’t match, it may mean that
your blood sugar levels are high or low at times when you are
not testing—for example, after meals.
Your Hemoglobin A-1-C
level tells you your risk for the complications of diabetes and
helps you know how your blood sugar levels are affecting your
body. Long-term diabetes control is important.
Research has shown that keeping Hemoglobin
A-1-C levels at 7% or lower helps to prevent or delay the
long-term complications of diabetes.
If you don’t know your Hemoglobin A-1-C
level be sure to ask your medical provider. It should be tested
every 3 to 4 months.
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Diabetes Prevention Program Grant |
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The Fond du Lac Human Services
Diabetes Program was awarded a competitive grant from the Indian
Health Service for diabetes prevention. Thirty-six grants were
awarded for diabetes prevention and 30 were awarded for
cardiovascular disease risk factor reduction.
“These diabetes grants will help to reduce the effects of this
devastating disease among American Indian and Alaska Native people
and their communities by addressing cardiovascular disease risk
factors, one of the most serious complications of diabetes. In
addition these grants will allow the Tribes to begin to learn how to
prevent this devastating disease before it starts, especially in
young people,” stated Dr. Grim, IHS Director. “The prevalence of
diabetes among American Indians and Alaska Natives has increased
more than 50% in the last decade.”
Grantees will use these funds to improve their diabetes
wellness/physical activity centers, provide diabetes self-management
training, and purchase newer medications that are more effective in
treating type 2 diabetes and its complications. These demonstration
projects will attempt to prevent the onset of diabetes and also
prevent cardiovascular disease in people who already have diabetes,
using research-proven strategies in the real-world settings of
American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Some of these
strategies include using lifestyle coaching, case management,
nutrition and physical activity approaches, smoking cessation
strategies, newer medications, more aggressive treatment strategies,
and behavioral strategies.
The first year of this grant is a planning year. Diabetes Team
members will attend meetings with all other grantees from around the
nation to share ideas and plan the demonstration project.
More information will be forthcoming as the project is developed. |
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Recipe: Pink Peppermint Meringues |
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Makes about 74 meringues
1 meringue per serving: 6 Calories▪<1 g Total Fat▪2 g Total
Carbohydrate
Ingredients:
- 3 egg whites
- 1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 5 drops red food coloring
- 1/2 cup superfine sugar*
- 6 finely crushed sugar-free
peppermint candies
* Or, 1/2 cup granulated sugar
processed in food processor 1 minute until very fine, or sugar
substitute baking blend of your choice (Equal Sugar Lite® and
Splenda® Sugar Blend for Baking are blends of sugar substitute and
sugar for better baking, while still reducing total carbohydrates).
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 200° F. Line 2
baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.
- Place egg whites in bowl of stand
mixer. Using wire whisk attachment, beat egg whites on medium-high
speed about 45 seconds until frothy. Add peppermint extract and
food coloring.
- Add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time,
while mixer is beating. Continue beating until egg whites are
stiff and glossy.
- Use a teaspoon to mound meringue
into 1-inch “kisses” onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Sprinkle
crushed peppermint candies evenly over meringues.
- Bake 2 hours, or until meringues
are dry when tapped. Remove parchment paper off baking sheets to
allow meringues to cool completely. When cool, peel meringues off
parchment and store in airtight container.
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Diabetes Class
Schedule |
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The Diabetes Team is
offering education classes at CAIR.
Participation in all 3 classes is encouraged. Incentives will be
provided.
Call Gloria at CAIR
(726-1370) to schedule classes today.
Class 1:
Tuesday, December 14th
from 8:30 am—12:00 pm
- What is Diabetes, My Food Plan,
Exercise, and Monitoring
Class 2:
Tuesday, December 21st
from 8:30 am—11:00 am
- Complications of Diabetes, Grocery
Shopping, Cooking, Eating Out, and Health Habits
Class 3:
Tuesday, December 14th from 1:00 pm—2:30 pm
- Medications, Emotions, Depression
Screen, Stress and Coping, and Sick Day Care
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