The Avandia Controversey

Wilma Young CPT — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 15:09:06 +0000

A Food and Drug advisory panel has recommended that GlaxoSmithKline’s diabetes drug Avandia be taken off the market or sold under “severely restricted” conditions. The concern is over the added heart attack risks associated with this drug as well as some questionable behavior concerning the company’s documents from the 1990′s. I am generally not an advocate of using pharmaceuticals unless you are in an acute situation but unfortunatley the S.A.D diet (Standard American Diet)that most people adhere to puts their bodies under acute stress on a daily basis. In addition, the alternative of utilizing natures medicine cabinet to turn around the body’s response to insulin resistance takes some time and investment of healthy habits. Frankly, most of us don’t want to go through this effort. We want to take a pill to fix our problems but the truth is that the pill only deals with the symptoms and not the real underlying problems that are going on. In the case of Type 2 diabetes, your body is sending out signals to you that it cannot manage the onslaught of high glycemic, overly processed garbage you are feeding it and the absence of physical exertion and “live” active foods that contain good fats, phytonutrients and lean protein. In defense of GlaxoSmithKline (which I never thought I would be doing)there own published fact sheet for Avandia states…

“AVANDIA is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.”

The main message is ADJUNCT TO DIET AND EXERCISE! It states this three different times and yet we tend to ignore this part of the equation. We know with medically proven data that a mediterrean diet (Like our First Line Therapy program)along with an easy exercise program (walking 3-5 times per week for 30 minutes) will do more on a long term basis to manage Type 2 diabetes than the temporary “bandage’ of a pharmaceutical drug. Please be clear that I am not advocating that someone abruptly discontinue their medication. But I encourage you to discuss the lifestyles changes necessary with your Doctor and Nutritionist to develop a plan that will bring you life long control of your diabetes. Not only will you feel better but you’ll look better too.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Angie Lustrick, CN, CPT — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:02:50 +0000

At Angie’s World, we have achieved great success with clients with Traumatic Brain Injury, also known as TBI. Many facilities provide care and occupational therapy for such patients but families are often frustrated with the overall results. Studies have shown that exercise for someone with TBI provides many positive benefits such as increased blood flow and faster nerve impulses to the brain (which improves how quickly you process or think), and increases body awareness. Exercise also improves mood and memory, increases heart and lung efficiency, and positively affects balance.

Donny Winn, A TBI client, has had remarkable success with our program. Please check out www.donnywinn.com. Donny has been training with us for over 2 years and has developed stronger core stability, improved range of motion, and muscle strength that has made him more independent. Check out his before and after photos here. You can even see a video of his workouts here.

Another of our clients, is Brennen Haworth. When Brennen, A.k.a “Shoeey”, came to us, he couldn’t move his arms or legs. We began his program with a stretching routine to help relax the muscles. Now, less than a year, Shoeey can perform shoulder rows, ride a stationary bicycle, and can use various leg machines.

Our TBI clients have had various degrees of injury and we are able to work around almost all challenges, including wheelchairs, walkers, feeding tubes, etc.

As a certified nutritionist, I emphasis the importance of nutrition to help the individual in the recovery process. I will help design a program that is right for the individual to increase brain function and improve body composition which is a significant component to their progress. I can also provide information on supplementation, working directly with their doctor.

If you or a loved one is frustrated due to a TBI, we can help. Please contact us for a free consultation.

Angies World Blog - News and Events » Nutriton

The Avandia Controversey

Traumatic Brain Injury