Ledisi’s “I Blame You” Inspires Diabetes Discussion

Music can inspire conversations about different life topics, even ones that are different from the song lyrics. For example, Ledisi’s hit song, “I Blame You,” is an upbeat track about loving someone so good that you have no choice but to keep loving them. With song lyrics, “I blame you each and every day, It’s your fault that I’m completely blown away, You’ve been building castles in the sky, A place for only you and I, I, I, I”, who wouldn’t want to be told that you make someone you love to feel loved, and feel joy, how beautiful is that? 

Words have power, especially when put to music. You can find yourself singing along to a chorus without even knowing what you’re saying. Repeated listening to a song can trigger random associations that slip into your subconscious and support or hinder your actions. This is why self-reflection is crucial. It allows us to understand how our words and thoughts impact our actions and, ultimately, our diabetes management.

Imagine if we ‘reframed’ Ledisi’s song title, which means changing the perspective or context to refer to the words you might find yourself saying about your diabetes daily. For example, instead of ‘I Blame You ‘, we could think of it as ‘It’s All My Fault’ or ‘I Gave Myself Diabetes ‘. 

Blame and shame are the two biggest culprits that often sabotage your ability to manage your self-care. It’s not hard to imagine that these negative thoughts can slip into their minds without much effort. The light might be green, but we can still see red if we’re in the midst of despair. It’s a struggle to keep the negative self-talk at bay when you find yourself in the valley rather than at the peak of the mountain top.

How can you succeed at making lifestyle changes if your starting point begins with a negative mindset? 

Regret, despair, anger, and frustration are the common emotions people experience when they’re initially diagnosed with diabetes. But here’s the thing: some people can overcome these emotional obstacles and improve their quality of life, while others cannot. 

Many people who make and sustain changes to improve their care cite their children and grandchildren for giving them a reason. Others feel they have no choice but to change and return to the quality of life they once enjoyed. 

What is your experience? We encourage you to share your thoughts and feelings about the impact of negative self-talk on your diabetes management. Your insights could be valuable to others in our community. 

Product Review: Lakanto Sugar-Free Cookie Mix

This week, I’m visiting a Houston friend who adheres to a Keto Diet for health reasons unrelated to diabetes. Keto Diet is generally defined as a diet high in fat and low in carbohydrates (sugars) that causes the body to break down fat into molecules called ketones.

I’m not on a Keto Diet, but I’m always curious about what other people eat, so my friend willingly gave me a tour of her pantry. I spotted several Lakanto Sugar-Free Cookie Mix packages on her shelf. She says, “They’re great!” She especially likes the brownie mix. 

Lakanto products contain monk fruit. Monk fruit is a small, melon-like fruit grown in China and gets its name from the Buddhist monks who originally grew it centuries ago. Monk fruit sugar has been given the stamp of approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and given the title of Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). ‌Monk fruit has zero calories or carbs; it will not raise blood sugar levels.

The Lakanto website claims that in less than 15 minutes, you’ll have freshly baked, sugar-free, keto-friendly cookies! They even offer a frosting recipe using Lakanto Powdered Monkfruit Sweetener.

She made some brownies earlier, so I was able to sample one. I found the brownies brimming with chocolate. They tasted lighter than regular brownies, which is true of every baked good recipe in which you substitute most popular sugar substitutes for sugar. It’s a different taste but not bad.  It doesn’t have the cooling effect or bitter aftertaste of other sugar substitutes. Sadly, I feel these brownies made me hungry for one with sugar.

A quick scan of Amazon reviews for Lankanto Sugar Free Cookie Mix revealed people’s reactions are mixed. While many reviewers wrote, “I had no expectations for these gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free, egg-free “sugar cookies” and they were delicious!!! And “They do have a very slight bit of an aftertaste. But they are probably the best keto sugar cookie mix I have tried!” Several other reviews commented, “Disliked the texture and the flavor. Baked according to directions, and the cookies fell apart. They were very sweet and had a weird aftertaste. I personally would not buy again.”

On a side note, another reviewer got creative in her kitchen and came up with an interesting way to enjoy cookie mix, “I haven’t made the first cookie. Instead, I mix some with liquid or cottage cheese and have a dessert I don’t have to feel bad about.”

Erythritol is an ingredient in this Lakanto Monkfruit blend. Erythritol, eaten in excess, may cause diarrhea, stomach cramps/discomfort, headache, bloating, and explosive gas. My friend has not experienced any of the side effects. 

Divabetic Podcast on Stroke

On Divabetic’s podcast, Clarence Waldron shares his stroke, recovery, working as Senior Writer and Editor from Jet Magazine, and his memories of legends Luther Vandross and Aretha Franklin.

Twenty years ago, Clarence interviewed Luther’s mother, Mrs. Mary Ida Vandross, for Jet Magazine after Luther suffered a stroke due to mismanaged type 2 diabetes.

When I was growing up Jet Magazine was everywhere — barbershops, salons, and waiting rooms. The digest-size magazine featured pop culture stories, What’s On TV, Wedding Announcements and Anniversaries, the (in)famous Jet Beauty of the Week, and Jet’s Top 20 Singles.

Clarence’s story is an excellent reminder of why it’s essential to ACT F.A.S.T. if you or a loved one is experiencing a stroke. The acronym FAST (Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time) has been used by the American Stroke AssociationAmerican Heart Association, and others to educate the public on detecting stroke symptoms.

Earlier treatment results in a greater chance of recovery, a reduced likelihood of permanent disability, and a lesser need for extensive rehabilitation.

You’ll quickly hear Clarence’s upbeat attitude and ferocious appetite for music and divas have served him well during his recovery.

Throughout this podcast, we feature music from Aretha Franklin’s Get It Right album and Luther Vandross’s Live At Radio City Music Hall 2003 20th Anniversary Edition album courtesy of SONY Music.

Get It Right is Aretha Franklin’s twenty-ninth studio album, released in 1983 by Arista Records. It was produced by Luther Vandross, following his successful teaming with the singer for the Gold-certified albumJump to It. Album highlights include I Wish It Would Rain, I Got Your Love, and Every Girl Wants My Guy.

Singer Alyson Williams’s Near Death Experience from COVID on Diabetes Late Nite

“The doctors were having trouble bringing me out of my coma due to COVID, so my angel, Valerie Simpson, told them to play my music in my ear,” confesses the First Lady of Def Jam, Alyson Williams, living with type 2 diabetes, on August’s episode of Divabetic’s monthly podcast.

“Sure enough, the nurse downloaded my music I opened my eyes and responded to her,” adds Alyson.

We are thankful to share that our friend, Alyson has made a triumphant return to the stage after a near-death experience from COVID. Currently, she’s touring worldwide with saxophonist and flutist Najee supporting their new rendition of Valentine Love which was first released in 1975 featuring Michael Henderson & Jean Carn. 

Hear more of Alyson Williams’s incredible story, her triumphant return to the stage, and “Rollercoaster Ride Of Diabetes” type 1 blogger FatCat Anna‘s account of her attempted suicide and managing diabetes in a mental hospital during the podcast.

Additionally, in August, we’re sharing poetry, an honest, no-filter look at the daily grind of living with diabetes, and practical ways to help you pivot and stay positive.

As part of my research for August’s podcast, I went to see Barry Manilow perform at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. It’s a hard job, but someone’s got to do it!! He’s an incredible entertainer. What I loved most was how comfortable Barry Manilow is in his skin. He thoroughly enjoyed performing the songs he’s performed over a thousand times for his devoted ‘Fanilow’ fans like it was the first time!

We encourage others with diabetes to live life to the fullest and apply Barry Manilow‘s attitude to their daily lives.

“I believe that we are who we choose to be. Nobody is going to come and save you. You’ve got to save yourself. Nobody is going to give you anything. You’ve got to go and fight for it,” says the Grammy, Tony, and Emmy award-winning music icon with 50 Top 40 hits, 12 #1 singles, and more than 85 million albums.

Guests include The First Lady of Def Jam Alyson Williams, Poet Lorraine BrooksPatricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, diabetes advocate, blogger, and mentor Fat Cat Anna. Music from The Essential Barry Manilow courtesy of SONY Music.  Hosted by Mr. Divabetic.

You Don’t Even Know My Type of Diabetes!

Diabetes is one of the most widely misunderstood conditions around, which is surprising considering its widespread.

There are four main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, prediabetes, and gestational diabetes. But there are many types of diabetes, including Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY), Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). There’s even a proposed term for Alzheimer’s disease because of the strong link between Alzheimer’s and blood glucose levels in the brain. Some experts suggest that there should be a Type 4 diabetes to describe cases of type 2 diabetes caused by aging rather than diet or genetics.

Unfortunately, these new discoveries haven’t hit the streets yet. In fact, the general public seems to be completely unaware that there is more than one type of diabetes. Add to that, some leading public health organizations aren’t helping to clear up the matter. 

NPR reports a 2016 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) failed to ask respondents to clarify which type of diabetes they live with. 

“Comingling of the data, particularly from the leading national public health institute of the United States, perpetuates the myth that diabetes is one disease sharing a name, while the reality is that Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are actually two different diseases in the diabetes family,” TD1 Exchange’s executive director Dana Ball and chief medical officer Dr. Henry Anhalt wrote in an open letter. 

More than 34 million people in the United States have diabetes, and 1 in 5 don’t know they have it. More than 88 million US adults—over a third—have prediabetes, and more than 84% of them don’t realize they have it. “

Lack of awareness from both patients and healthcare providers can play havoc with someone’s health. Many people are misdiagnosed with the wrong type of diabetes and struggle to manage their health and related issues of fear, confusion, and shame.

Healthline reports that research published in the journal Diabetologica in 2019 found evidence that more than one-third of adults over age 30 who receive an initial diagnosis of T2D may actually have T1D.

n a commentary about those research findings, Dr. Naveed Saleh wrote that “misdiagnosis… may persist even years later and lead to adverse health outcomes without proper treatment.”

Alicia Keys’ hit song, You Don’t Know My Name inspired this blog post.

I feel strongly that you can’t really be treated appropriately for your diabetes health unless your doctor knows who you are, starting with your name!

To me, it takes two to tango. It’s up to you to share personal information about yourself at your doctor’s appointments. How you feel physically, emotionally, and mentally is the starting point.  But opening up about your daily routines, habits, personal idenitity, feelings of loneliness, and social isolation can help your healthcare provider personalize your care.

It makes sense, right?

To provide the best care, your doctor must understand you and know what your life is like.

Sometimes this can feel uncomfortable.

Today, I know that sharing my sexual identity with my doctors is critical to my care. But that doesn’t negate that I  struggled with coming out to my doctors back in the late ’80s. Hopefully, my journey and Alicia Keys can inspire you to be open and honest with your doctor. It will help them to understand your medical conditions fully and recommend the best treatment choices for you.

Let’s not forget that knowing how to describe your symptoms accurately is helpful too.  

 

 

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 pressurediabetesheart 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.”

New Diabetes Cases Linked to COVID-19

New reporting indicates that some patients who’ve recovered from COVID-19 are developing type 1 and type 2 diabetes according to Insider.

In an article published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the researchers stated it was “plausible” that COVID-19’s effects on the body’s ability to metabolize glucose could either complicate existing insulin levels or create new issues, leading to the onset of diabetes.

Although some patients already had diabetes and were unaware of it until they were hospitalized for COVID-19, evidence also suggests that COVID-19 might be enough to worsen existing metabolic health issues into full-blown type 2 diabetes according to  Dr. Jose Aleman, assistant professor of endocrinology at NYU Langone Health reports Insider.

“Stressful conditions lead to elevated levels of regulatory hormones that raise blood sugar to aid the body in fighting whatever insult it’s facing, such as illness or injury,” Aleman told Insider. “For people with underlying conditions, that can be enough to kick them over the edge.”

Back in April 2020, doctors in Wuhan, China first reported a link between COVID-19 and elevated blood sugar levels.

More than 34 million people in the United States have diabetes, and 1 in 5 of them don’t know they have it according to the Centers for Diabetes Control and Prevention.  More than 88 million US adults—over a third—have prediabetes, and more than 84% of them don’t know they have it.

Take The Prediabetes Risk Test – Take The Risk Test

Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk?

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, virtual diabetes support event with style. Divabetic’s dynamic diabetes empowerment meeting features a Hat & Face Mask Fashion Show presented by  Harlem Heaven’s Hats owner Evetta Petty and a Diabetes Educational Group Activity and Discussion presented by Maryann Nicolay  MEd, NDTR on Thursday, February 4, 2021, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

FREE REGISTRATION 

Diabetes on Instagram Roundup #5

Some of our favorite #diabetes instagram posts from around the world to inpire you. In this roundup, our friend, Chirstel Oerum from Diabetes Strong hits a new milestone, a great green pepper sandwich recipe, amazing weight loss story, low calorie hard seltzer endorsement, and a few words and images to brighten your day!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAYb3VbF47P/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/B2eqoJJhe-T/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CAhBiY1J-Uw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CAg4mLRA3Iv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CAg1tLHBTi_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CAgypvTH1yu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CAgu890pk8N/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CAgffUPBJPZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf8KS1DHTbt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link