-
Cortisol and Weight Gain: How Stress Affects Your Body
Cortisol has become a prominent topic in discussions about weight loss. Often referred to as the “fight or flight” hormone, it is closely associated with stress. Recently, many health and wellness influencers have suggested that elevated cortisol may be responsible for unexplained weight gain or the body’s resistance to weight loss. But is this accurate? Are abnormally high cortisol levels truly contributing to the obesity epidemic? Let’s take a look at what the science says. What is Cortisol? Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, located on top of the kidneys. It is often referred to as…
-
Mitigating Therapeutic Inertia of GLP-1 Use in T2D
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, commonly known as GLP-1 RAs, have recently garnered significant media attention. Initially developed to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes, these medications have also proven to be highly effective for weight loss and enhancing cardiovascular health. However, without proper initiation, titration, and support from the care team, they can often be ineffective and unsustainable. Patients can become stuck in therapeutic inertia. I had the pleasure of presenting on this topic with a pharmacy colleague at this year’s ADCES Annual Conference for diabetes care and education specialists. Here’s how we identified and provided solutions…
-
4 Clinical Pearls from the 2024 ATDC Conference
I was very fortunate to attend the 2024 ATDC Conference this year in beautiful Keystone, Colorado. The ATDC Conference has been an integral part of education and case-based studies of pipeline diabetes technology for over 30 years. This year’s focus included keynotes and plenaries on topics such as cardiovascular disease outcomes in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, early detection strategies, updates in AID and Rx/OTC sensors, updates in macro- and microvascular complications, and even a possible cure for type 1 diabetes. Despite being an intimate event, hosted at almost 10,000 feet, there was no shortage of big names…
-
Three Surprising Changes to the 2023 ADA Standards of Care
Here are three surprising changes to the 2023 ADA standards of care.
-
Ketogenic vs Mediterranean: A Dietary Face-Off
“What should I eat now?” is by far the most common question I hear from the newly diagnosed. The answer is both simple—and complex. Eating for good glucose management can vary greatly. Age, gender, baseline metabolism, taste preference, and even elements of nutrigenomics shape how our bodies respond to food. The two most commonly adopted eating patterns for improved glycemic control is a variation of the Ketogenic diet and the well-known Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean Diet Largely plant based, the “Medi diet” promotes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, legumes, olive oil and herbs. Fish, seafood, poultry, eggs, cheese and yogurt…
-
Remission vs Reversal
I’d like to think we are at the cusp of finding a cure for diabetes. Given the immense day-to-day burden, it can’t come fast enough. Until then, it’s important to proactively manage blood sugars, macro- and microvascular changes, and long term complications. With early and aggressive intervention, it’s not impossible to achieve euglycemia in those with endogenous insulin production—usually Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). Substantial lifestyle change may even yield near “normal” glucose with little to no pharmacological intervention. While it is tempting to think of this process as a “reversal” of diabetes, a 2021 consensus report recommends the term “remission”…
-
Diagnosing Type 1 Diabetes in Adults
The UK T1D Immunotherapy Consortium recently updated their guidance on diagnosing type 1 diabetes (T1D) in adults. This is particularly important as a large portion of new onset T1D in adults are misdiagnosed as Type 2 diabetes (T2D). An accurate diagnosis matters. It can shape selection and advancement of treatment, understanding of natural disease progression, and expectations around the efficacy of diet and lifestyle. Most importantly, a misdiagnosis can be incredibly frustrating and discouraging for patients. Clinical Features While there is no single feature that distinguishes T1D from T2D in adults, presence of the following parameters suggest the need…
-
Debunk the Junk: The “Keto” Diet
If you’ve stood in the grocery checkout line sometime in the last year, then I am sure you’ve noticed the ketogenic diet on the cover of almost every health and wellness magazine. Promising weight loss, improved acne, neurological repair, and the reversal of type 2 diabetes, the keto diet has many reported health claims. But what is the keto diet? Does it really work? Should I try it?
-
Your Weight Matters: Key Messages from the National Convention
This summer Denver hosted it’s first 4-day educational event for individuals concerned with weight-related issues. The Your Weight Matters National Convention is the largest National meeting dedicated to providing evidence-based strategies for individuals impacted by excess weight and obesity. The organizer, Obesity Action Coalition, is a national non-profit organization dedicated to giving a voice to those affected by the disease of obesity and helping individuals along their journey toward better health through education, advocacy and support.
-
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo 2013
I was selected to participate as a student host at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ annual conference in Houston, Texas. This opportunity allowed me to attend a national-level conference, network with other dietetic students, and give back to the academy through volunteer service.
