Living with Diabetes

A Mediaplanet Guide to Diabetes Prevention and Management

JUNE 2022 | FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH.COM

Living With Diabetes

Nia Kay The acclaimed rapper and actress shares her journey to stardom with type 1 diabetes Learn how Convatec is combatting the stigma around long-term health conditions

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The easy & delicious home delivery meal service tailored for those with diabetes

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An Independent Supplement by Mediaplanet to USA Today

Look Closer at Eye Health TO LEARN MORE SEE PAGE 5

Insulin Affordability?

Yes, Please.

As many Americans face challenges associated with the inflated cost of insulin and other diabetes care products, a solution beyond legislation and pharmaceutical dependency is needed

Alexandra Mulvey Senior Science Writer, JDRF

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or more than 9 million Americans, insulin is a lifeline, helping them to combat both type 1 diabetes and variations of type 2 diabetes.

In April 2022, JDRF, alongside other leading organizations from the diabetes ecosystem, announced their support of Civica to combat a nationwide insulin affordability crisis. @MEDIAPLANETUSA

The project created by Civica, a nonprofit generic pharmaceutical company, intends to manufacture and distribute low-cost biosimilar insulin options for three of the most-prescribed insulins: glargine (Lantus®), lispro (Humalog®), and aspart (Novolog®). Anticipated to hit the market in 2024, this program will allow anyone to purchase insulin at no more than the list price of $30/vial or $55/ @FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH

box of five pens, regardless of insurance status.

Why is this important?

Over a 10-year period, the cost of insulin increased threefold; currently, insulin can cost between $175 and $300 a vial, or up to $1,000 a month. Studies have shown that these inflated costs can cause up to 25% of people with diabetes to skip or ration their insulin, potentially

leading to medical emergencies, severe complications, or death. Once brought to market, these biosimilars will save lives by significantly lowering the cost of insulin for millions of Americans.

Organizations like JDRF and the American Diabetes Association have been fighting the rising cost of insulin for years, advocating for both private sector solutions and

action in Washington, D.C. While some progress has been made, there is more to be done. Until there are long-term solutions to make life-saving drugs like insulin affordable for everyone, resources like GetInsulin.org, created by Beyond Type 1 and JDRF, are pertinent tools needed to help provide direction to assistance programs and low-cost solutions. n

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PLEASE RECYCLE

Publisher Joanna Tronina Business Developer Katie Konfino Managing Director Jordan Hernandez Lead Designer Kayla Mendez Designer Keziah Makoundou Lead Editor Jon Adams Copy Editor Taylor Rice Director of Content and Production Jordan Hernandez Cover Photo Amadeus Purcell All photos are credited to Getty Images unless otherwise specified. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve USA Today.

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Live Long and Prosper: Why What You Eat Matters The author of “The Longevity Diet” shares secrets that could help those living with diabetes and others live to a ripe old age.

We all know the importance of eating healthful foods, especially if you’re a person living with diabetes however, Professor Valter Longo, director of the Longevity Institute at the University of Southern California, takes it one step further. He believes switching to a plant-based diet, including small portions of seafood periodically for protein, can be beneficial, along with fasting a few times a year.

“It allows patients to lose weight while consuming a relatively high calorie and carbohydrate diet, while still providing high nourishment and preventing frailty,” explains Dr. Longo.

“For example, we know that vegans are more likely to suffer from fractures, but this association is not observed in those also consuming fish. Also, we’ve shown that multiple cycles of the periodic fasting mimicking diet (FMD) cause a reduction in abdominal fat but does not reduce muscle mass.”

Encouraging results “The work of our foundation clinics in Los Angeles and Milan, but also our clinical trials with different medical centers, suggest that the combination of the everyday longevity diet and FMD

can result in a reduction in the number or level of drugs taken by diabetes or pre-diabetes patients, with many patients able to achieve remission,” says Longo. ” Those without diabetes can also reap the benefits. “The majority of Americans, but also Europeans, are overweight or obese, so this type of diet is important for everyone — not only for weight loss, but also to slow down both the aging process and increase in mortality.”

What to consider Longo cautions patients to talk to their doctor and dietitian to make certain they follow a version of the longevity diet that’s consistent with their specific condition.

“They should try to change their diet to a form of the longevity diet they can maintain for the rest of their lives. Major changes in diet are pointless if they aren’t maintained even one to two years later. This is why the everyday longevity diet — which includes a pescatarian diet and 12 hours of fasting per day — needs to be combined with FMD cycles.

In the clinics, we see those who have high adherence to the everyday longevity diet need less cycles of the FMD, but those who

cannot adhere to the longevity diet need to do FMD cycles more often — as many as six to twelve times a year for five days at a time.”

Making a difference Randomized clinical trials indicate that just the FMD component of the longevity diet can result in a reduction in the number or level of drugs taken by diabetes patients, with many able to achieve remission.

“We are about to start a trial with 500 patients, combining the everyday longevity diet and periodic FMDs, a combination which we’ve already observed to be successful in many of the diabetic and pre-diabetic patients visiting the Create Cures Foundation clinics.”

Looking ahead Dr. Longo believes nutrition for healthy longevity can no longer be based on single pillars, such as epidemiological studies or shortterm clinical trials.

“It must be based on the common denominator of basic research focused on aging, clinical studies, epidemiology, and studies of centenarians. This will take a lot of the confusion out of nutrition research.” n

New Study Reveals the Effects of Stigma on Healthcare

New research has shown that patients living with a long-term health condition can experience stigma that negatively impacts their health and can even slow recovery.

A new study conducted by Wakefield Research, and supported by Convatec, has shown that most patients living with longterm conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, or chronic physical impairments, experience social stigma and shame. The majority of nurses caring for these patients recognize that stigma impedes patients’ quality of life, and even their recovery.

“We already know that the impact of stigma on our patients cannot be understated,” says Karim Bitar, CEO of Convatec. “These survey results demonstrate why emotional and mental health are a societal health priority today.”

The Wakefield Research study interviewed 200 patients or their caregivers and 200 nurses. 87% of patients agreed that people living with a long-term health condition faced social stigma, while 96% of nurses agreed that they required more time and resources to properly care for their patients.

Forever caring In the wake of the findings, Convatec announced a renewed focus on patient support and care with their “Forever Caring” campaign. They are committed to expanding their me+ program, which provides information, recovery tools, and peer-to-peer support for people living with long-term health conditions, and they also recently launched an app for nurses to streamline the process of selecting ostomy products and filling prescriptions.

“We’re listening,” Bitar says. “In what has historically been a very product-focused industry, ‘forever caring’ is a commitment to the people we serve — and those very patients, caregivers, and nurses who participated in this survey.”

Ross Elliott

Cindy Riley

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Performing Arts Are My Life and Type 1 Diabetes is My Superpower Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a child, Nia Kay didn’t let T1D stop her journey to stardom.

Rather, it fueled it.

PHOTO: AMADEUS PURCELL

Growing up in a musical family, I knew I was destined for the stage early on. I remember being fascinated when I went to the studio with my dad and uncle and watched my mom perform.

My mom signed me up with a modeling agency at two years old, and I loved being in front of the camera. But that changed a year later when suddenly I started developing an unquenchable thirst, irritability, and frequent bed-wetting.

As my symptoms worsened, my mom rushed me to the doctor. She was shocked to learn I had type 1 diabetes (T1D) and was on the verge of severe DKA if she had waited any longer.

Thankfully today, T1D screening and education programs are available to help parents and children avoid life-threatening conditions at the onset of T1D.

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T1D burnout on the journey to stardom Although my parents had difficulty coping with my diagnosis, it was not long before I adjusted. I remember my mom crying when she had to prick my fingers or give me an insulin injection. Still, I encouraged her to do it so I could quickly get it over with. I was more focused on getting to dance class, mas-

tering the piano and violin, and singing. Before I turned 10 years old, I had shot my first hip-hop music video, and T1D would not interfere with me reaching stardom.

A little more than a year into adolescence, I started to feel awkward about my T1D. Although a few friends knew I had diabetes, I never wanted them to see me injecting insulin or pricking my finger to test my blood sugar. I struggled to hide my T1D and keep my A1C in range, and I was hitting a mental wall.

Recognizing my superpower At 14, I landed a lifetime opportunity to join season two of Jermaine Dupri’s reality TV series, “The Rap Game.” I was excited yet feeling a lot of pressure. How would I film, perform, and compete at the highest level with T1D? I was also nervous about sharing my diagnosis, but I had lived for this moment. Then I recognized my strength and determination to succeed are because of my diabetes, and this is my superpower.

As an artist and ambassador for JDRF, I look forward to inspiring other T1D teens and young adults through my music and by sharing my story. I want to encourage them that managing T1D and pursuing your goals requires patience, determination, and support — but never give up your dreams. n Nia Kay

The Importance of Annual Dilated Eye Exams for People Living with Diabetes There are more than 37 million American adults living with diabetes, a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy.

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iving well with diabetes requires people to make healthy food choices, stay at a healthy weight, move their bodies every day and take their medications — even when they feel good. With a little diligence and the help of a diabetes care team — which can include a primary care provider, endocrinologist, diabetes care and education specialists, and optometrist or ophthalmologist, among others — diabetes can be properly managed.

Early detection Many people don’t know that living with diabetes also means that they are at risk for developing diabetic retinopathy, an

eye condition that can cause vision loss and blindness. Other diabetes-related eye disease — such as macular edema, glaucoma, and cataracts — can also occur. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults, but you may not have any obvious signs or symptoms in the early stages, which is why finding it early is critical to help protect your vision. In fact, early detection, timely treatment, and appropriate follow-up care can dramatically reduce a person’s risk for severe vision loss from diabetes-related eye disease by 95%.

An annual dilated eye exam is one way for eye care professionals, such as optometrists and ophthalmologists, to check for eye disease early on. That’s

why organizations like the American Diabetes Association®, VSP® Vision Care, and Regeneron are collaborating on major initiatives, like Focus on Diabetes™ (FOD), that work to increase awareness about diabetes and eye health and promote the importance of annual eye exams.

Raising awareness In fact, May is Healthy Vision Month, and FOD is raising awareness of the importance of prioritizing eye health and the steps one can take to maintain it.

“My advice to people living with diabetes is to make your health a priority, get your eyes checked regularly, and make sure that they’re doing all

the necessary tests at your eye exams,” says Rachael Chalcraft, an FOD champion who has lived with type 1 diabetes for 27 years. “For anyone who has been diagnosed with eye complications, connect with other people who have been through it, such as through the FOD initiative. You’re not alone!”

Be sure to visit eyehealth.diabetes. org to take the diabetic retinopathy risk test and learn about upcoming events, tools, and actions you can take throughout the month and onward. n

Dr. Robert Gabbay, MD, PhD, Chief Scienti�ıc and Medical Of�ıcer, American Diabetes Association

MEDIAPLANET

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SPONSORED

kits for diabetes management, which are specially curated by a team of chefs and registered dietitians, have at least six servings of fruits and vegetables, and minimally processed carbohydrates derived from natural sources to nourish the body and provide long-lasting energy. The kits have controlled carbohydrates in every meal to steady blood sugar levels while also delivering sufficient fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

The focus is on providing “stabilized nutrition,” with a consistent, precise calorie and nutrient intake from foods with macro and micronutrients to Support an individual’s overall physical health and help them maintain steady energy.

ScienceBacked Meal Delivery and Lifestyle Program Tailored to People With Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes

Healthy eating is one of the cornerstones of any management plan for diabetes or prediabetes. Farm-to-table tailored meal delivery company Nutrition for Longevity (N4L) offers fully prepared, home-delivered meals tailored for those with prediabetes and diabetes. They also include daily lifestyle support from personal dietitians and wellness coaches so clients never feel alone in their health journey.

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ccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 37 million Americans have diabetes, which is about 1 in every 10 people; 96 million more adults have prediabetes, which is more than 1 in 3 Americans. The CDC says prediabetics can halve their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by losing weight through eating healthy and increasing activity. N4L wants to make that

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mission easier for their clients.

We save people time on planning, shopping, prepping and cooking, we even help with simple active movement classes, so those with a busy lifestyle can eat and exercise like a celebrity who has a personal chef and trainer to help get them and keep them in good health.

Diabetes-friendly meals N4L meal delivery subscriptions supply macro-balanced, high quality, fully prepared

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meals to your door, making healthy eating easier than ever.

All meals are backed by the science of the Longevity Diet and go through a rigorous culinary development process, so they taste delicious but meet the requirements of The American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, and USDA. The diabetes-friendly meal plans are part of N4L’s Real Transformation Diabetes Management Program.

The N4L delivered meal

Sustainable farming The affordable meals feature clean, fresh, and seasonally harvested produce, which are mainly grown on the company’s regenerative New Jersey farm. The farm produces hundreds of varieties of nutrient-dense, pure, and potent food to nourish the body and support optimal health.

The foods, which get their start with non-GMO, certified organic, or all-natural seeds from specialty suppliers, are grown without synthetic chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides. Their farm uses aquaponics, which helps N4L grow their food indoors throughout the year, promoting a 30% increase in rapid plant growth and using 90% less water than non-hydroponic farms.

Farm-to-fork Consumers can sign up for a variety of meal plans and program lengths, such as 4 weeks, 12 weeks, or a year. N4L’s nutrient-dense meals are shipped

directly to homes across the continental United States in custom shipping boxes with a specially designed thermal liner and ice packs to maintain freshness.

N4L is committed to meeting the dietary and personal preferences of its subscribers, including kosher and halal certified meals. The meal kits are free of dairy, eggs, and peanuts. They also offer vegan, gluten-free, flexitarian, and pescatarian options. The meals are easy to modify for dietary preferences such as food allergies. The top eight allergens of dairy, eggs, fish, peanuts, shellfish, soy, and tree nuts are noted in the nutrition information.

Refreshed taste buds Jackie Philbin, RDN, Head of Nutrition & Lifestyle Program Management, Nutrition for Longevity says feedback from subscribers has been very positive. People say they are surprised that they get so much food and that the meals are not only tasty, but also very satisfying and filling.

“We always say try it for two weeks, because your taste buds reset entirely every two weeks,” she says. “With modern day agriculture, preservatives, and sweeteners, you may not even know what a true organically grown, farm-fresh tomato tastes like. You really get to taste the true elements of the food, start to practice mindful eating, and grow a healthy relationship with our bodies and the foods we put in it.” n Kristen Castillo

Find out more about N4L’s diabetes management program at:

www.nutritionforlongevity.com

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Look Closer at Eye Health Focus on Diabetes is an initiative of the American Diabetes Association® that brings together leading organizations in vision care to increase awareness of the important role annual comprehensive dilated eye exams play in the early prevention, detection and intervention of eye disease and vision loss caused by diabetes.

For support and educational resources go to: www.diabetes.org/eyehealth

Focus on Diabetes™ is supported by Visionary Partners: