Pink Prescriptions - November 2024
Get Control of Your Blood Sugar: Before Diabetes Takes Control of You
November 2024 Issue — Pink Prescriptions
Get Control of Your Blood Sugar
Before Diabetes Takes Control of You
If you want to live your healthiest life for years to come, know that diabetes is your archenemy. Basically, it is the beginning of the demise of major organs and imperative systems that keep your body functioning properly. If the threat of diabetes pays you a call, you need to take it seriously. Unfortunately, diabetes is on the rise in America and showing up in households in record numbers. Less active lifestyles, combined with fast, processed, and excessive diets, are taking a toll on men and women, alike, as well as creeping into the younger population like never before. However, there is hope, but it starts with you. When you educate yourself on the risks of this disease and actively partner with your healthcare provider, you can live a sweet life without the perils of this dreaded disease, or at least have them under control.
We want to help! So, to start you on your educational trek, read on to see what our local healthcare experts have to say about this serious health topic.
By Dr. Elliot Calvert | Knobel, MD Direct Primary Care
What is the difference between being insulin-resistant and being diagnosed
with diabetes type 2?
What is Insulin Resistance? Insulin resistance is perhaps the most important health topic today. It is responsible in some part for a host of medical problems that a large number of people suffer from (in many cases unnecessarily), including obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, PCOS, fatty liver, issues associated with increased generalized inflammation (think fatigue, brain fog, depression and anxiety, muscle and joint pain, stomach issues, frequent infections, skin rashes and skin tags) and even cancer. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that allows the carbohydrates (sugar) you eat to enter the tissues in your body that need it. Insulin resistance occurs when your body’s tissues, especially muscle, liver and fat, begin responding less and less to insulin because of how often they see it.
What is Type 2 Diabetes? If insulin resistance is allowed to go unchecked, the pancreas is eventually no longer able to keep up with insulin demands. Without enough insulin, sugar remains in the blood stream, unable to enter the body’s tissues. At this point your primary care provider will prescribe medications to assist the pancreas. It is important to remember that regular exercise and minimizing simple carbohydrates in the diet remain the most important treatment, even in Type 2 Diabetes.
So, what do we do? Our bodies simply weren’t built to manage a steady flow of simple carbohydrates while sitting around all day. We live in a world where the most affordable and tasty foods available to us are actually making us sick. Fortunately, the treatment is simple (but not necessarily easy.) We must move more and consume real food. When it comes to what to eat, you can’t go wrong by eating only what you can easily trace back to nature. This means shopping around the circumference of the grocery store rather than the center aisles, an often-repeated adage that nonetheless holds true. It means buying whole and raw meats, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, etc., and cooking them at home. Limiting simple carbohydrates is crucial, but if you are going to eat sweets, something made at home with sugar you add yourself is immeasurably better than something sweetened with chemicals from a food industry lab.
Board Certified Family Physician Elliot Calvert, MD graduated from MUSC and did his residency at AnMed in Anderson, SC. He is excited to practice medicine in a Direct Primary Care fashion along side Lowcountry staple, Dr. Laura Knobel. Call today for more info: 843-836-2200; 29 Plantation Drive, Suite 202, Bluffton, www.knobelmd.com.
By Kim Edwards, RD, CDE
Beaufort Memorial LifeFit Wellness Services
How effective is exercise, even walking,
for people with diabetes?
Physical activity should be a part of any healthy lifestyle and is especially important for people with diabetes. Exercise, even just walking, can increase your insulin sensitivity and lower your blood glucose levels. When you exercise, your body burns blood sugar, which helps insulin do its job better. If you plan to use exercise to lower your blood sugar, you need about 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week, focusing on moderate-intensity exercises and activities that work your body’s largest muscles in your buttocks, legs, and chest. Along with walking at a brisk pace, other great exercises to lower your blood sugar include cutting grass; working around the house; dancing; playing sports or active hobbies; bike riding; and swimming laps or treading in a pool.
Kim Edwards, RD, CDE, is a registered dietician and certified diabetes educator with Beaufort Memorial LifeFit Wellness Services in Beaufort and Okatie.
By Yvette-Marie Pellegrino, M.D., FAAFP
Beaufort Memorial Lady’s Island Internal Medicine
Diabetes runs in my family. What can I do to avoid it?
There are certain factors that can put you at higher risk of developing diabetes, such as being overweight, being age 45 or older, and, of course, family history. A good first step is having your blood sugar tested so you’re aware of your health risks. Your diet and exercise habits are a big factor, too. Type 2 diabetes is a long-term metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and a relative lack of insulin, and primarily occurs due to obesity and lack of exercise. Managing your weight is key. If you’re obese, you are 20-times more likely to develop diabetes. However, the risk decreases significantly in people who manage their weight through exercise and a heart-healthy diet. When it comes to what you eat, choose healthier options: Cut back on sugary drinks; opt for lean proteins; and eat more vegetables. A higher-fiber diet can improve blood sugar control and promote weight loss.
Yvette-Marie Pellegrino, M.D., FAAFP, is a primary care physician at Beaufort Memorial Lady’s Island Internal Medicine. Board-certified in both family medicine and obesity medicine, Dr. Pellegrino oversees “Healthy Weight,” the hospital’s medically supervised weight loss program.
By Dr. Tracy Blusewicz
Advanced Women's Care of the Lowcountry
& Aspire Medical Spa
Why is diabetes type 2 an epidemic in America?
Type 2 diabetes has become an epidemic in America largely due to the exponential increase of obesity. As American’s waist lines have grown, so has the number of Type 2 Diabetes cases. Lifestyle factors have led to the rise of obesity: fast food, sodas, and processed snacks have led to a an American diet high in refined carbohydrates, unhealthy fats, and too many calories. The American diet of highly processed foods, coupled with increasingly sedentary lifestyles, is not a winning combination. Too much screen time is the average lifestyle for way too many people, whether it is for work or leisure. Widespread obesity is one of the most major risk factors for developing Type 2 diabetes. Obesity leads to worsening insulin resistance and leptin resistance, and unfortunately the more weight a person gains, the insulin resistance and leptin resistance worsens which leads to more weight gain! It's a no-win cycle in the more weight a person gains, the harder it is to lose the weight! At this time, 71% of Americans are overweight and 40% are obese. But in 2024, for the first time in a decade, the obesity rate did not increase. Researchers are projecting this mild success of no increase will lead to years of decreasing numbers due to the spread of use of GLP-1 agonist injections like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and now Zepbound. Hopefully, the weight loss resulting from GLP-1 use will start a new era for Americans weight and will decrease the number of people with Type 2 Diabetes.
How are semaglutide therapies changing
the world of diabetes and obesity?
The Semaglutide therapies, Ozempic and Wegovy, plus the even newer generation of Tirzepatide therapies, Mounjaro and Zepbound, both GLP-1 and GIP injections, are all transforming the management of Type 2 Diabetes and obesity. They offer the most effective treatment options ever available. Previous generations of GLP-1 injections did not have as high of weight loss results as these latest generations of injections. Weight loss results in reduction in both insulin and leptin resistance. As a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, semaglutide helps regulate blood sugar levels by enhancing insulin production, reducing glucose production in the liver, and slowing digestion. For people with Type 2 diabetes, this results in better glycemic control and reduced risk of heart disease, fatty liver, reduced inflammation, and less overall complications. As once-weekly injections, they are more convenient to use, which makes it easier to adhere to treatment plans. As a GLP-1 agonist, Tirzepatide has the addition of a second peptide, GIP or gastric inhibitory polypeptide, which works to increase the amount of insulin secretion after eating, and increases fat breakdown. So, the results are better blood sugars and more fat breakdown—a winning combination.
As obesity treatments, semaglutide and tirzepatide have proven to be game-changers by significantly helping people lose weight. Wegovy, a slightly higher-dose form of semaglutide, has shown impressive results, with many patients losing up to 15 to 20 percent of their body weight in 40 to 52 weeks. Zepbound, which has the same dosing as Mounjaro, has resulted in a 22.5% to 26% body weight loss in 40 to 52 weeks. This significant amount of weight loss has not been seen with weight loss medicines before and is not only beneficial for reducing health risks associated with obesity, but also improves overall metabolic health and quality of life. By effectively targeting both diabetes and obesity, semaglutide and tirzepatide therapies are shifting the weight of Americans and the world. These medicines are offering hope to millions who struggle with these chronic conditions, and yes, obesity is a chronic medical condition and should be treated like one! As a doctor for more than 25 years, I have never seen patients acheive weight loss goals like they are now. They have never been healthier, as their lab work with normal blood sugars prove.
Tracy Blusewicz, MD, FACOG, DABOM (Diplomate American Board of Obesity Medicine) is double Board Certified and a Fellow of The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. A GYN specialist, Dr. Blusewicz recently underwent fellowship training in the speciality of Obesity medicine with the American Board of Obesity Medicine due to the enormous health benefits of new breakthrough medicines that would be valuable to her patients’ health. In addition, Dr. Blusewicz is a global speaker and actively trains fellow doctors and practitioners both nationally and internationally in the field of Women’s Wellness. She can be contacted at Advanced Women’s Care of the Lowcountry, 843-341-9700; www.awclc.com
By Kayo Perley, MD | Medical Associates of the Lowcountry
What happens to your body when your A1C is high?
An elevated A1c indicates an excess of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. This can affect multiple organs and lead to severe complications. Glucose accumulation in the eyes can lead to vision loss. In the stomach, it slows down digestion, which can result in bloating, pain, and vomiting. High levels of A1c can also cause neuropathy, a condition marked by pain and sensory loss in the feet due to nerve damage. As a result, small cuts or ulcers may go unnoticed and lead to infection. Deep bone infections require hospitalization and even amputation of the limb. Glucose in the kidneys can cause irreversible damage and even kidney failure which would ultimately require dialysis. Elevated A1c is also an independent risk factor for heart disease and can lead to heart failure, heart attack, and stroke. Hemoglobin A1C control is possible, and control can lessen your risks of serious complications. If you feel as though you might be experiencing any complications, don’t hesitate to reach out to your primary care provider.
Dr. Kayo Perley is a Primary Care Physician with a passion for helping patients change their lives for the better. Dr. Perley is with Medical Associates of the Lowcountry and is taking new patients—call (843) 706-2523 to schedule an appointment.
Healthy Eating Can Be Delicious!
Healthy eating for prediabetes and diabetes not only helps to manage your blood glucose (blood sugar), but it also helps you have a better relationship with food. Intentional food choices like eating more non-starchy veggies, opting for lean meats or plant-based proteins, choosing quality carbohydrates, and low-fat versions of cheeses and dressings, will all help you meet your health goals—and they’ll taste great too! It is not about one food, or one meal, it’s about healthy eating over time. Food nourishes you so you stay healthy, but our food choices are also impacted by our memories, culture, and community
Visit the American Diabetes Association website for great tips including:
Healthy Eating Tips, How Food Affects Blood Glucose + Meal Planning & Understanding Carbs, How to Read Food Labels, Free Live Cooking Classes, Tasty Recipes at Your Fingertips and much more.
www.diabetes.org/food-nutrition
By Rafael Sanchez, MD | Prestige Primary Care
How do I know to ask my doctor about diabetes?
What are the symptoms?
Patients should request a diabetes test annually during their physical exam. Typically, physicians will order an A1c or fasting glucose test. Symptoms of diabetes may include weight loss or gain, increased thirst or hunger, abdominal pain, and nausea. Individuals with diabetes have difficulty metabolizing sugars, leading to excess sugar that can damage tissues and blood vessels throughout the body, including the eyes, kidneys, heart, peripheral nerves, and brain. Over time, this can result in serious medical conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, renal failure, peripheral neuropathy, or diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes can be managed through diet and medications that help prevent these complications. Recently, a new class of medications called GLP-1 agonists has shown promise for patients with diabetes.
Board-certified adult internal medicine and aesthetics specialist Rafael Sanchez, MD is an exceptional provider for all aspects of routine health and wellness care, specializing in diabetes management and prevention. A graduate of Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, NC, Dr. Sanchez completed two residencies in internal medicine and pediatrics. Prestige Primary Care, located at 25 Hospital Center Blvd, Ste 309, HHI, offers the full scope of family medicine/primary care, with a strong focus on preventive health services. To schedule an appointment, call 843-227-4595.