There is a new way to find the information you are looking for and to meet people here in the community: You can now follow members you think have great things to say. If they follow you back, or vice versa, then you become friends! This evolution gives us the same great ability we've always had to make friends, but adds this "following" element to offer you another way to connect with people and relevant information. (For more information on how the new following feature works, check out the community update in your inbox.)

We're always looking for more ways to help you feel empowered, supported and informed. But it's all of you who make this a vibrant community where we help one another – so, thank you! Let us know your thoughts on this new feature and what you would like to see in the future.

Look at the new things we have brought on board. Now you can follow other members so their items show up in your activity thread, and then you can friend those who are following you if you so choose.

Just one more way that the team has been working on updating our site. I think this might be why the notifications stopped for a few days. I got all the notices in my email and the following is on.

Please share your feedback on this new feature.

We hear all of the time that we need to be tracking our blood sugars and other daily activities. But why do we do it? Are we really doing it for our own good or just because the doctor told us to?

What is it that you track?

What tools do you wish you had to help you track better?

If you were only tracking for your own benefit what would you want to know about your own health and diabetes management?

By diaTribe.com Jan 28, 2012

Earlier this month, Medtronic announced that FDA has approved mySentry, a remote monitoring system that enables parents and caregivers to see real-time insulin pump and CGM information from another room – this should be a welcome tool for parents of children with diabetes who worry about severe nocturnal hypoglycemia, or for caregivers of patients who are less aware of hypoglycemia. The device is approved for use with the MiniMed Paradigm Real-Time Revel insulin pump (see our Test Drive in diaTribe #23) and has two main components: a monitor that displays CGM and insulin pump information (e.g., at the bedside of a parent or caregiver) and the ‘outpost’ that relays information from the insulin pump to the monitor (e.g., in a child’s bedroom). The monitor has a sharp-looking color screen that displays the most recent sensor glucose value in large font, CGM trend arrows, and status information (insulin pump status, battery life, insulin remaining, and time until next sensor calibration and change). The icons on the display are color coded green, yellow, and red, which should give sleepy parents and time-pressed caregivers a quick and easy way to know what’s going on.

The Medtronic mySentry is immediately available to US customers who have a prescription. The $3,000 mySentry is unfortunately not covered by insurance at this time, although we believe that “exceptions” will begin to be granted with documentation. To ease the financial burden, Medtronic is offering it at a 20% discounted launch price of $2,400, with a further $500 discount for new Real-Time Revel pump/CGM users. As we understand it, Medtronic is currently in active discussions on the reimbursement front and evaluating studies to demonstrate the benefits of mySentry. While we do believe insurance companies will eventually pay for the device, it’s unclear how long this will take or what level of evidence will be needed.

In a 35-family user evaluation study (2011) conducted by Medtronic, feedback was very strong, and virtually all families found the device to be valuable. A reported 100% of parents surveyed believed that the mySentry alarms and alerts were loud enough to hear while sleeping at night, over 90% of mySentry users surveyed would recommend mySentry to other parents or caregivers, and 100% of parents surveyed reported that mySentry was easy to use. While such surveys may not be typical, we believe that a significant number of parents would like and use the device if they could afford it. A quote from a highly respected Medtronic engineer and type 1 parent Lane Desborough after his experience with the device said it all: “The two worst days of my life have been (1) when my son Hayden was diagnosed and (2) when we had to return the mySentry from my personal testing of the device.” –For those interested in learning more about the mySentry, we suggest visiting the product’s website at http://www.medtronicdiabetes.net/mysentry. –AB

By diaTribe.com Jan 28, 2012

Recently, we were excited to hear that Sanofi/AgaMatrix have received FDA clearance for the iBGStar, the first blood glucose monitor that connects directly to an Apple iPhone or iPod touch. We first wrote about the iBGStar in NewNowNext in diaTribe #25 when it became available in Europe. As a reminder, the meter is about the size of a USB memory stick, attaches to the iPhone or iPod touch through a built-in dock connector, and uses technology from AgaMatrix. When the iBGStar is plugged directly into the Apple device and a user tests his or her blood sugar, the screen displays the test result using the iBGStar Diabetes Manager App. (Once the meter is on the market, users will be able to download the app for free in the iTunes App Store.) The iBGStar also has a small screen on the device itself, allowing it to be used independently of an iPhone or iPod to measure blood glucose levels. Results are synchronized the next time it is plugged in to an Apple device. We look forward to the launch of this innovative meter in the US, though Sanofi has yet to disclose a timeline.

Besides the small size of the meter, the iBGStar’s key innovation is the simple transfer of blood glucose readings to the well-designed iBGStar Diabetes Manager App. As we understand it, the application will be very similar to the WaveSense Diabetes Manager (designed by Sanofi’s partner AgaMatrix and currently available in the iTunes App Store) – it includes a logbook, trend chart, color-coded screen alerts, and carbohydrate/insulin tracking in a sleek user interface. Other features include the ability to email information to family members/healthcare professionals, and the ability to tag individual blood glucose readings (food, exercise, medicine, or health issues). In the future, Sanofi may integrate an insulin-dosing calculator for Lantus into the iBGStar Diabetes Manager App – we first heard this at a Sanofi corporate presentation in September of last year. Ideally, an integrated Lantus calculator will enable better data recording and more accurate dosing. –AB

Good nutrition can enhance our memory and moods, counter the effects of aging, and ease common illnesses-and these 100 wonderfoods are the key to optimum health. Flip through the color-coded sections here to find lists of nutrients, at-a-glance symbols, and authoritative information on each food. Every profile features at least one recipe, from kick-start breakfasts and power lunches to delectable dinners and smart snacks, and there's an ailment directory for easy reference. With stunning photography throughout, this is a must-have book for every health-conscious family.

Imagine being on a diet and starting the day with a pecan waffle, snacking on Macadamia Fudge and finishing dinner with Chocolate Crème Brulee— and still staying on a low-carb, healthy and slimming routine.

Impossible?

Not since the release of the revolutionary new cookbook "Low-Carb Sweets and The Art of Self-Indulgence" by Sharon Allbright.

This author spent four year of research to break the "deprivation-barrier" of low-carb dieting and managed to eliminate sugar and flour by replacing them with delicious, health-building ingredients.

The former health columnist came up with more than 80 groundbreaking desserts to "diet for." The best news is that these indulgences are not only delicious, but also high in protein, rich in fiber and contain less than five grams of carbohydrates. This is an extraordinary feat, considering that a regular piece of chocolate cake can contain as many as 60 grams of carbohydrates.

The 216 pages of sweet creations range from waffles to pies and contain not a smidgeon of ingredients that cause sugar binges or weight gain. Some of these recipes have even been tested by diabetics who were delighted to report that the treats didn’t raise their blood sugar levels.

The "Zero Carb Waffle" is a "breakfast wonder" with more protein than two eggs and boosts your fiber intake beyond that of two pieces of whole-wheat toast.

According to the author, "These recipes are not only simple to make but also time friendly." In fact, the Macadamia Fudge can be put together in less than five minutes, in case of an emergency "chocoholic attack!"

This project has been a long labor of love for Allbright, who confesses, "I love sweets— but eating old-fashioned flour and sugar-filled desserts caused uncontrollable binges, blood sugar plunges and of course, weight gain."

The second segment of this unique book, "The Art of Self Indulgence," came to light through the author’s experiences with this seemingly utopian eating style. "It turns out that years of dieting can make one feel guilty eating sweets— healthy or not," reports the new "Queen of Low Carbs"

Tips on breaking barriers of self-denial make this not only a soul-satisfying cookbook, but also a plan that can transform dieting to a "sweeter way of life."

1) 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
2) 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
3) 1/2 teasp. dried thyme
4) 1/4 teasp. black pepper
5) 1 Tbsp. Honey
6) 1- 1lb. pork tenderloin