Give Me The Reason To Take A Diabetes Diagnosis Seriously

Luther Vandross had a very public battle with his weight throughout his life. As someone who worked closely with him, I witnessed the profound, painful emotional toll resulting from yo-yo dieting cycles. Looking back, I see now that it was really a cry for help when Luther joked about his weight. People might not put food addiction in the same category as drug addiction or alcoholism, but it is just as deadly. I am still haunted by images of finding my boss, a strong, powerful, and talented man, on the floor after suffering a debilitating stroke. When people refer to diabetes as ‘a touch of sugar,’ I shake my head. Mismanaged diabetes is as deadly as a white shark or tiger and as menacing as a tsunami. You’re fooling yourself if you think it’s not (I know I was).

Divabetic’s latest Luther Vandross Tribute podcast features music from his fifth studio album, Give Me The Reason album, released in 1986. Luther appears slim and svelte on the album cover, sparking thoughtful discussions about Luther’s weight as well as his musical legacy.

Divabetic’s Luther Vandross Tribute podcast guests include Lisa Fischer, Jason Miles, Jeff James, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, and Chuck Flowers.

By the time Luther Vandross headed to the studio to record his fifth album Give Me the Reason in 1986, he’d become one of the most successful soul singers of the first half of the eighties. His four previous albums have been either certified platinum or double-platinum in America.

For Luther Vandross’s fifth album Give Me the Reason, the album comprised nine tracks including the hits: So Amazing, There’s Nothing Better Than Love, Stop To Love, and Give Me The Reason.

When Give Me the Reason was released it reached number fourteen in the US Billboard 200 and number one in the US R&B Charts. In the United Kingdom, Give Me the Reason became Luther’s most successful album, reaching number three and was certified double-platinum.

Throughout the podcast, we will be featuring music from Luther Vandross’s Give Me The Reason album courtesy of SONY Music.

04/13/202104/13/2021

High Insulin Costs Are Killing Americans

After losing his job and insurance, Jeremy Crawford, 39, struggled to afford the insulin he needed to survive. He tried using Walmart insulin (retailing for $25), but it didn’t work well.

Some politicians like to point to Walmart-price insulins and say that there are low-cost alternatives. However, Walmart insulins just don’t perform nearly as well as the more expensive insulins. Insulins are not interchangeable as some industry leaders would like us to believe. Switching insulins can negatively affect the health of people with diabetes, making blood sugar mangement more irregular and raising A1C scores.

As Jeremey got sicker, he resisted calling 911 to get the help he needed because he could not afford it. He died from diabetic ketoacidosis.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening problem that affects people with diabetes. It occurs when the body starts breaking down fat at a rate that is much too fast. The liver processes the fat into a fuel called ketones, which causes the blood to become acidic.

We are shedding light on the tragic consequences of rationing insulin and DKA on Divabetic’s upcoming mystery podcast, A Christmas Peril, debuting in September 2021. Our most popular podcast’s cozy mystery format allows us to reach a broader audience to raise awareness for these critical issues.

No one with diabetes should die because they can’t afford their insulin.

The Right Care Alliance (RCA) is a grassroots coalition of clinicians, patients, and community members organizing to make health care institutions accountable to communities and put patients, not profits, at the heart of health care.

LEARN MORE – GET INVOLVED

04/08/202104/08/2021

Give Me The Reason (To Lose Weight) on April’s Luther Vandross Tribute Podcast

“It’s the most awful, dark feeling in the world,” Divabetic Icon Luther Vandross said when he put back on 100 pounds. “It feels like you’re wearing an 80-pound hat and a coat that weighs 300 pounds … You feel like it’s always dark and gloomy.”

We’re spotlighting Luther’s album, Give Me The Reason on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast, scheduled for Tuesday, April 13, 2021, 6 -7:30 PM, EST.

Luther Vandross had become one of the most successful soul singers of the first half of the eighties when he recorded his fifth album, Give Me the Reason, in 1986. The album comprised nine tracks, including the hits: So Amazing, There’s Nothing Better Than Love, Stop To Love, and Give Me The Reason.

He also was a weight loss success story! He appeared slim on the album’s cover in 1985, when he dieted below 200 pounds.

Three short years later, Luther’s weight ballooned to more than 300 pounds. A pattern that he repeated several more times in his lifetime.

The next time he lost a significant amount of weight, he credited it to a six-month liquid diet program, used by Oprah Winfrey, in 1989.

While many people with type 2 diabetes struggle with weight fluctuations, Luther’s yo-yo relationship with food was displayed before millions of fans.

Divabetic’s Annual Luther Vandross Tribute podcast hopes to shed light on how doctors put overweight patients, with type 2 diabetes, on a path to failure by focusing on shedding pounds.

“Luther beat himself up about his weight fluctuations,” says Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek, host of Diabetes Late Nite

“His weight issues seemed to overshadow his success. He achieved and sustained incredible success in his career as a songwriter, producer, and singer, yet, on the flip side, fought a losing battle with his health.”

Our cultural obsession with appearance may bleed over into the exam room, leading doctors to disproportionately focus on weight and to interact with fat patients differently from thin ones.

“It makes it very hard,” Luther said. “You wear it externally so the minute you walk through the door, everybody knows ‘Luther’s not winning his battle with his demon.'”

He often referred to his relationship with food as an addiction: “An alcoholic can’t have half a martini, and you know, I can’t have bread.”

Obesity is a health risk. Excess weight increases the risk of various health conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

But medical professionals disagree about how they should address weight management with patients or whether they should address weight loss at all.

Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast guests include Lisa Fischer, Jason Miles, Jeff James, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Chuck Flowers, and Kitt Vordeaux.

Throughout the podcast, we will be featuring music from Luther Vandross’s Give Me The Reason album courtesy of SONY Music.

He added, “I can’t have sugar, and I can’t have carbohydrates … but I can sing the mess out of a ballad.”

04/05/202104/05/2021

Saving A Rescue Dog Triggers Man’s 100+ Pound Weight Loss

“I tried and failed on every diet program ever commercially marketed in the United States,” says Walking With Peety: The Dog Who Saved My Life author Eric O’Grey on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.

Although it was apparent to everyone else that Eric was morbidly obese, he wasn’t aware of it or his health issues. But by age 51, Eric was 351 pounds with a 52-inch waist, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. He estimates that he was on about fifteen different types of medication. “It was a cruel, gradual, slow process. It’s not like you wake up one day and you’re a hundred pounds heavier than you were the day before. The worse it gets the more you get used to it and it becomes your new normal.”

Eric admits that one of his biggest problems was that he wasn’t personally involved in his own health. He was taking both metformin and insulin and his A1C was 12. “I didn’t know how my own body worked. I relied upon other people, namely MD’s, to make those decisions for me.”

Eric turned his diabetes health around after seeking the help of a naturopathic doctor, Dr. Preeti Kulkarni.

“Dr. Kulkarni put me on a plant-based diet and told me to adopt a dog from my local shelter. I had never had a pet before so I immediately asked her if it was OK if I got a cat instead.” She said, “have you ever walked a cat?”

Eric chose to rescue an obese middle-aged dog. He says, “I thought we’d have something in common.”

The first time the two went for a walk, they were only able to go about a hundred yards before they had to stop and rest. “I was so out of shape I was out of breath just tying my own shoes.”

Within three months of a program that consisted of eating a plant-based diet and walking Peety for 30 minutes twice a day, he lost 5 pounds a week, and all of his medical stats improved. His A1c also dropped from 12 to 5.

Listen to more of Eric O’Grey’s transformative story on Diabetes Late Nite with music from P!nk. Other guests include Chilbrook Kennels breeder, author, and diabetes alert dog and scent detection expert, Debby Kay; poet Lorraine Brooks; Yoga for Diabetes author, Rachel Zinman; and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE. Throughout the podcast we feature songs from the P!nk’s Beautiful Trauma album courtesy of SONY Music.

04/02/2021

Can Musician Austin James’s Solution To Help Manage His Diabetes Work For You!

We’re posting this video not because we are endorsing FreeStyle Libre but because its star, Austin James is a musician living with type 1 diabetes. Often people wonder why we feature music on our Divabetic monthly diabetes podcasts. It’s not simply because I worked for Luther Vandross or that many people with diabetes make music; music brings all types of people together. It feels good to help unite people so that no one with diabetes feels alone.

In April 2003, I felt alone in my shame of not helping Luther avoid experiencing a severe stroke from mismanagement of type 2 diabetes. Looking back, if I had listened to that shame’s negative talk, I would have never shared my story or started Divabetic. I would have put my head down and just gone on with my life. I am accountable for not being more involved in Luther’s self-care aside from picking up prescription refills. But I didn’t have a clue that diabetes mismanagement could lead to a stroke. Back then, people commonly referred to diabetes as a ‘touch of sugar,’ and that didn’t seem scary.

My desire for people to heed my warning is why I refuse to let shame or blame stop me from sharing my story. If a stroke happened to someone as invincible as Luther Vandross, it could happen to anyone.

Pain from neuropathy or the daily stress it puts on your life can stop anyone from managing their condition. Even the pain you experience from the actual diagnosis can hit you like a ton of bricks. You may feel like you have no quality of life, and without a quality of life, what’s the point of living anymore? Or even to bother trying? You may just want to enjoy the time you have left.

When a diagnosis affects someone like that or a diabetes health-related complication such as stroke, it can be hard to fight back the depression and anxiety. Depression and anxiety make it more challenging to take care of yourself. It helps to have a community of like-minded people to lean on.

Musician Austin James found ‘community’ in his bandmate, who is also living with type 1 diabetes.

The pain Austin James felt on his fingertips’ pads from checking blood sugars was compromising his musicianship. Thankfully his bandmate shared his solution for easing the pain from frequent blood sugar checks with him. Together they have managed to keep the music playing without compromising their diabetes wellness. Rock on!

We’re keeping the music and a message of diabetes wellness alive on Divabetic’s upcoming Annual Luther Vandross Tribute podcast. Guests include Lisa Fischer, Jason Miles, Jeff James, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Chuck Flowers, and Kitt Vordeaux.

By the time Luther Vandross headed to the studio to record his fifth album Give Me the Reason in 1986, he’d become one of the most successful soul singers of the first half of the eighties. His four previous albums have been either certified platinum or double-platinum in America.

For Luther Vandross’s fifth album Give Me the Reason, the album comprised nine tracks including the hits: So Amazing, There’s Nothing Better Than Love, Stop To Love, and Give Me The Reason.

Throughout the podcast, we will be featuring music from Luther Vandross’s Give Me The Reason album courtesy of SONY Music.

03/30/2021

Former Soloist Ballerina Zippora Karz Guests On Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite Podcast

“For many years, I struggled silently, trying to hide the fact that I was in over my head and I didn’t know if I could keep dancing. I didn’t have a diabetes educator, and I didn’t have a doctor who understood. I was misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes because I was in my early twenties,” says Former Soloist Ballerina Zippora Karz, living with type 1 diabetes, on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast featuring music by Christina Aguilera.

Zippora joined the New York City Ballet at seventeen in the 80s. She danced to George Balanchine’s ballets every night.

What’s life like for a ballerina?

“You are creating a new vocabulary within your body. You have to work on it every day. We take morning classes to improve your legs’ line and your jumps and turns because it’s not natural. And then, you a different program every night. A six-hour rehearsal day, and then you perform that night.”

“I was in my third year with the ballet when I was diagnosed with diabetes,” says Zippora. “However, my doctors didn’t understand the athleticism and energy output of a ballerina.

So what kept her going?

“I felt pressure to prove that nothing changed. But the magic I experienced dancing was so intense that I had to keep going and had to preserve.”

Former New York City Ballet Soloist Ballerina & Author (Sugarless Plum) Zippora Karz is a guest on this episode of Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast. We Are Diabetes founder Asha Brown, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, and Mama Rose Marie.

03/19/2021

What Is Insulin Sensitivity?

Insulin sensitivity refers to how responsive your cells are to insulin. You are insulin sensitive if a small amount of insulin needs to be secreted to deposit a certain amount of glucose, and insulin resistant if a lot of insulin needs to be secreted to deposit the same amount of glucose.

Basically, being insulin sensitive means that your body is properly utilizing food and converting the correct amount of glucose for energy.

Experts state that improving insulin sensitivity can help you reduce insulin resistance and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

What Is Insulin Resistance?

When the body’s cells are insulin resistant, they are unable to use insulin efficiently. This in turn results in elevated blood sugar

We’re talking about diabetes weight loss medications and blood pressure monitors for home use, and sharing one woman’s journey to manage her type 2 diabetes after the loss of her husband on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with music from Jessye Norman.

Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Mandy Reece PharmD CDCES, BC-ADM, BCACP, FADCES, and Know Diabetes By Heart Ambassador, Sarah Bryant.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Jessye Norman’s Roots: My Life, My Song (Live at The Philharmonie Berlin) album courtesy of SONY Music.

03/13/2021

Embracing Your Body & Your Diabetes

“I would look in the mirror, and I didn’t feel beautiful,” says singer Elle King about the insecurities she felt as a teen.

The “Ex’s and Oh’s” Grammy Nominated singer felt pressures to measure up to conventional beauty standards. But her mother, model London King, encouraged her to accept herself.

“My mom always raised me to love myself; she always told me I was beautiful,” King adds in the video reports PEOPLE magazine. “You’ll never feel beautiful unless you believe it inside. I had to go on my own journey to find that.”

Elle King’s personal journey to self-acceptance meant focusing on her passion for creativity, from writing songs — to experimenting with body art.

“I don’t sing, walk, talk, act like anyone else. That’s what I think is beautiful: People that stand out. Because if we all looked the same, I think the world would be a really boring place.”

Today, the singer has about 50 tattoos, which are inspired by her adventures in life and love.

Don’t Get Down, Get DIVA!

Research shows that self-esteem can be a key factor influencing health care behaviors.

Let our Diva Inspiration Elle King’s journey inspire you to see the beauty inside of you. Recognize that your body is your own, no matter what shape or size – focus on how strong and healthy you are!

Diva Inspiration Elle King says she doesn’t believe you can love another person or be in love unless you love yourself. We wholeheartedly agree and hope her music inspires you to love yourself just the way you are!

Guests include Dr. Lori Shemek PhD, We Are Diabetes founder, Asha Brown, Author Ginger Vieria, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP and Mama Rose Marie. Hosted by Mr. Divabetic.

Throughout this Diabetes Late Nite podcast we are playing selected cuts from Elle King’s “LOVE STUFF” courtesy of SONY MUSIC.

Note: Elle King is not living with diabetes. However, she has battled substance abuse, depression and PTSD. Today, having made it through the darkness, Elle King shares her story on her album, Shake the Spirit to help inspire others. We hope she can inspire you to ‘GLAM MORE, FEAR LESS.’

Elle King adds, “I’ve changed a lot. I’m finding my own self-love, and I’m inviting love, outwardly in. … You can go through something crazy in your life, and you can come back from it.”

03/04/202103/05/2021

Jessye Norman Is Our Diva Of The Month in March!

“A person has the right, and I think the responsibility, to develop all of their talents” – Jessye Norman.

Vocalist Jessye Norman was indisputably one of the major artists of our time. A triumphant career associated with the highest level of music making has led to many honors and awards, including the Kennedy Center Honors, the National Medal of Arts, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the Glenn Gould Prize for Music, and more than 40 honorary doctorates.

Unfortunately Jessye Norman’s size and girth were big points of conversation for listeners and reviewers alike dating back to the 1970’s. She was referred to as “a woman of generous proportions with voice to match,” and “an entire orchestra in person”.

Jessye Norman candidly said, “dress size has nothing to do with opera singing” in an interview. “And certainly there were those instances when singers were told they need to fit into a certain size dress. Of course, women. Men? They just make the costume bigger.”

It has never been reported that Jessye Norman was living with or affected by diabetes during her lifetime. However, we still admire her for standing up to criticism and being a strong, independent woman and trailblazer. She didn’t let people’s meanspirited comments stop her from being who she was! She lived her life to the fullest and continued to challenge herself as an artist.

How do you deal with criticism about your size and/or weight?

Unfortunately insults, criticisms, and hidden messages often make us awful about ourselves. Especially if they are being said by someone close to us.

People who comment on how you look are really just offering insight into how little they would value themselves if they looked different. People who worry a lot about putting on weight might actually be afraid that they won’t be loveable if they don’t conform. They don’t trust that they are good enough regardless of how they look. In this case, their comments can make you appreciate that you don’t have the same insecurities that they do.

Reflecting on how you respond to criticism will make you better at addressing criticism the next time. As the old adage goes, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

Sometimes, someone’s criticism towards you has nothing to do with you. If a stranger is criticizing you on social media, for example, sometimes it is best not to respond.

Oprah Winfrey learned to not ask herself, “What’s wrong with that person?”but rather, what happened to that person?”

We also like to recommend building a really good self care routine to boost your self esteem and happiness as these will give you resilience to any criticism too.

Tune in to Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, 6 – 7:30 PM. EST. We’re talking about weight loss drugs, how to maximize your metabolism, self-love, and heart health makeovers with music from Jessye Norman.

Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE offers her opinions on the top home blood pressure monitors.

Pharmacist and Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialists Mandy Reece PharmD CDCES, BC-ADM, BCACP, FADCES provides insight on the effectiveness and side effects of weight loss drugs including iraglutide, and semaglutide.

“Maximize Your Metabolism: Lifelong Solutions to Lose Weight, Restore Energy, and Prevent Disease” Co-Authors Dr. Noel Maclaren and Sunita Singh Maclaren discuss how brain health is related to insulin resistance.

American Heart Association’s Know Diabetes By Heart Ambassador, Sarah B. shares why her mindset about her health changed after her husband’s death and how she came to adopt the motto: “We have a habit of putting limits on ourselves. We need to push beyond them.”

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Jessye Norman’s Roots: My Life, My Song (Live at The Philharmonie Berlin) album courtesy of SONY Music.

http://https://youtu.be/5pDgmCigaGY

02/12/202102/12/2021

Valentine’s Day Game Puzzle

This Valentine’s Day shower yourself with some self-love. Throw out every doubt in yourself, every negative thought and learn to love yourself.

Did you know that living with type 2 diabetes puts you at higher risk for heart disease and stroke? Talk to your doctor about your risk.

What To Ask Your Doctor

What can I do to lower my risk for heart disease and stroke?
Do any of my medications help me manage my risks for heart disease or other complications?
Are there programs that can help me manage my condition? Can you give me a referral?
How can I meet others going through my same experience?

Making Connections Game Puzzle

Can you find the five words above that are connected to Valentine’s Day? Each word starts with one of the choices from the left side column. It then continues with something from the middle column and then finishes with something from the right side column. Created by: Dani Raymond

Matters Of The Heart

We’re talking about matters of the heart related to diabetes with music from Celine Dion on this Divabetic Diabetes Late Nite podcast.

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.

Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Janis Roszler, PhD, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND, Mila Clarke Buckley aka The Hangry Woman, and Know Diabetes By Heart Ambassador Belle Kruegger.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Celine Dion’s Falling Into You album courtesy of SONY Music.

Love New Recipes?

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free Virtual Cooking Party with special guest, Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND on Zoom on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, 7-8 PM, EST. Jill shares her favorite quinoa recipes with us!

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Puzzle answer: Romance, Sweetheart, February, Chocolate, and Bouquet