We’re talking about living well with type 1 diabetes, alcohol’s effects on blood sugar levels, and our love for ‘all things Italian’ with musical inspiration from Dean Martin. 

Dean Martin was born Dino Paul Crocetti and was later nicknamed “The King of Cool.” His big break while performing as a duo with comedian Jerry Lewis, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes later in life at the age of 71. 

After the two entertainers split in 1956, Dean Martin pursued a solo career. He established himself as a singer, movie, and television star. 

 Along with the other members of the infamous Rat Pack, Frank Sinatra, Peter Lawford, Joey Bishop, and Sammy Davis, Jr., he became one of the most popular acts in Las Vegas.

With his dark good looks, smooth voice, hilarious one-liners, and ever-present rocks glass, Dean Martin was a walking, talking, singing advertisement for getting drunk. He was a one-man cocktail party, and all of the United States was invited to join in the fun. And during his heyday in the 1950s and ’60s, it sometimes seemed as though everyone did.

In February, we are asking you to support the Spare a Rose campaign to raise funds for Life For a Child.

Please buy one less rose this Valentine’s Day and donate the value of that flower to children with type 1 diabetes. Donations go to Life for a Child, an International Diabetes Federation program that provides life-saving diabetes supplies, medication, and education that children in developing countries need to stay alive.

Heart disease is common in people with diabetes. The National Heart Association reports 65% of people with diabetes will die from some sort of heart disease or stroke. In general, the risk of heart disease death, and stroke are more than twice as high in people with diabetes. However, by managing your risk factors, you may avoid or delay the development of heart and blood vessel disease.

Podcast guests: Fran Carpentier, Mama Rose Marie, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES. Throughout this podcast, we will be featuring music from The Essential Dean Martin album courtesy of SONY Music.