Let’s Talk A1C and Beyond – Glucose Management, should we look for more?

In 1968, it was discovered that the hemoglobin A1C, which is a protein in the blood, is usually elevated in people with diabetes. During the 1960’s, the best and only way to determine if your glucose level was elevated was to get tested and the results sent to a lab within the hospital or outside the hospital. During this time, long-term management information was not provided. During all this time of testing and researching, no information was given out to the patients until 1993, which changed how the A1C was read and diabetes management took control and changed forever. Diabetes Control and Complications Trial was introduced and proved that A1C could be controlled in people with Type 1 diabetes. It was stated that having an A1C lower than 7%, meant that your risk of diabetes was very low. Getting an A1C test helps you to set goals and get the correct treatment for each individual case.Should we look for more?When testing for A1C we should also test for low blood glucose (sugar) hypoglycemia.

Let’s consider this: say your A1C of 7% is stable for two to three months with high highs and low lows.It rises and drops from hour-to-hour or day-to-day, known as glucose variability, which can cause short or long term health risks.If your glucose is higher, your risk is greater for hypoglycemic, especially if you take insulin.A chemical imbalance can also be caused known as oxidative stress in the body.The main cause of vascular complications of diabetes is known as oxidative stress.

The most important thing to do is talk to your doctor and ask questions, so that you can get the answers to your questions.Your doctor is the person that knows your medical history and can help you to get the help that you need and seek.

So let’s get our A1C tested and manage our glucose with the help of our doctor.

Living Well Nutrition Blog

10 positive ways to break the sitting streak:

• Dance – put on your favorite song and move to the music as you see fit.
• Foot Roll – take off your shoes and stand on a tennis ball with your right foot first.Roll your foot back and forth for 30 seconds and then repeat with the other foot.
• Lunge – stand next to a table or chair and take a big step forward and then back again.Do this for 30 seconds on each side.
• Lateral Raise – hold a weight in each hand and stand with your feet apart and your arms to your side.Life your arms so that your body makes a T shape.Then lower your arms and start over repeating the exercise with each arm.
• Lap It Up – you can run or walk around a fitness track, around your home or your office.
• Shoulder Roll – feet apart and arms at your side, raise your shoulders to your ear and roll backwards in a circle for 30 seconds.Repeat the exercise again rolling your shoulders forward for 30 seconds.
• Punch – stand in a boxing position and extend one arm out and the other by your side.Punch straight forward with your left arm and then change and punch forward with your right arm.
• Tidy Up – clean your house from top to bottom.Organize the cabinet, dishwasher, drawers and other areas in your house.
• Breathe – stand and raise your arms over your head for a count of five, then lower your arms.Repeat for 30 seconds.
• March – march in place lifting your knees as high as you can. Healthy Recipe

Healthy Recipe

Viet-Cajun Seafood Butter

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (4 sticks) butter
• 1 (3-inch) piece lemongrass, chopped fine
• 10 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
• 1 (2-inch) piece ginger, peeled and chopped
• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
• 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• ½ bunch cilantro, chopped for garnish

Instructions:

Melt ½ cup butter (1 stick) in a stainless steel saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the lemongrass and sauté until very soft.Add the remaining butter, garlic, ginger, seasonings and salt, and sauté over medium heat until the garlic is fragrant and translucent.Remove from heat; stir in lime juice.

Toss boiled crabs with the butter sauce and garnish with cilantro.

Faithful Families Connecting Faith and Health

Would you like to learn more about how you and your family can Eat Smart and Move More?Faithful Families Thriving Communities classes are coming soon!These classes will help you to:

• Learn how to plan, shop for, and prepare healthy meals for your family
• Discover delicious, healthy, family-friendly recipes
• Explore simple ways to be physically active during the day and in your faith community
• Talk about the connections between food, physical activity and faith

To learn more, contact:

Cynthia Clifton

Nutrition Agent
LSU AgCenter – St. John Parish
985-497-3261

The LSU AgCenter is a statewide campus of the LSU System and provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.