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	Tuesday August 23, 2011
Special Undercover Report: Diabetes & Your Love Life We're not a bunch of tittering teen-agers, are we? We can talk adult-to-adult, right? Okay, yeah, "tittering" is a funny word, go ahead and laugh. Get it out of your system, then let's get to the nitty gritty of the down and dirty. Yes, we're talking about sex – that wonderful, healthy and body-shaking enjoyable activity that we're often a little too embarrassed to talk about with our partners or doctors. People with diabetes can enjoy fully satisfying sex lives if they understand a few things about how diabetes affects the body. A little conversation and information with your doc and partner can make your romantic encounters more successful and enjoyable. And furthermore, careful management of diabetes usually leads to better sex and more sex—because it's a physical activity and a stress-reducer. Here's how to hit the sheets with diabetes. Use exercise to increase your libido. Here's further motivation to get your recommended daily dose of movement: Both men and women with diminished sex drive will benefit from routine exercise, experts say. Exercise improves your blood flow, which will improve the function and sensitivity of your sex organs. Stronger muscles, better aerobic capacity, and an improved self-image also will enhance your experience in the bedroom. Check your blood sugar before making love. If your blood sugar tends to drop during physical activity or at nighttime, having sex in the evening can present a challenge. Before things get too heated up, check your blood sugar so that you're sure of your status. If your blood sugar is at the normal level or is already on the low side, you may need to adjust your insulin or eat something before or after sex—a robust session could make you hypoglycemic. If you have an insulin pump, consider unhooking it during sex. Be careful after drinking. Alcohol and vigorous sex both lower blood sugar, and combining the two could cause a dangerous low. Be sure to monitor your blood glucose if you're having "a glass of wine and thou." Seek a "bonus round" of sex. If your doctor says your body can handle the physical activity, ask your spouse for one extra session of sex per week or per month, depending on how active you already are. On average, people burn 250 calories per hour during lovemaking. This aerobic "workout" will do your cardiovascular system a lot of good, and it's one less bad TV show the two of you will be watching. If your libido is flagging, ask yourself two questions. First: Does your reduced sexual desire apply to all situations at all times? If so, review with your doctor the possible medical sources of your diminished sex drive. Medications you're taking or hormone problems could be the culprits. If the answer to the first question is "no," ask yourself: Does the strength of your sex drive depend on the situation? Perhaps, marital or psychological counseling could help. Massage your partner tonight; get a massage tomorrow night. The added relaxation may help to reduce your levels of stress hormones, which can drive up your blood sugar. And who knows where a massage might lead? Even if it leads nowhere, this kind of touch is nice way to connect with your spouse and show you care. A bonus for the massage giver: Your hands and arms get some exercise. Be especially touchy if you or your partner has nerve damage. It's rare, but in some cases nerve damage reduces sensitivity in the genitals in people who have diabetes. Often you can compensate for this with additional gentle touching in the right places. Report pain during sex or cloudy urine to your doctor. High blood sugar compromises the body's ability to fend off bacterial invasion. If you feel pain during sex (especially for women) or have urine that's clouded or bloody, a burning sensation when you urinate, or constantly feel the need to urinate, talk to your doctor. You may have a urinary tract infection. Refrain from sex until the problem is resolved.  Orange-Glazed Roasted Plums Roasting brings out the natural sweetness in fruits and is a delicious way to prepare fiber-rich stone fruits. To delightfully dance on your taste buds, the orange-scented syrup provides a delicate balance to the tart plums. Serves 4 Ingredients: 1 teaspoon grated orange zest or grated fresh ginger 1/4 cup fresh orange juice 3 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar 2 teaspoons unsalted butter 4 medium plums, cut in half and pitted 2 tablespoons slivered almonds 1/2 cup fat-free vanilla yogurt Preparation: 1    Preheat the oven to 400°F. Coat an 8-inch square baking dish with nonstick spray. 2    Combine the orange zest (or ginger), orange juice, and brown sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat, add butter, and stir until melted. 3    Place the plums, cut side up, in the baking dish. Pour the orange juice mixture over the plums. Cover with aluminum foil and bake until the plums are almost tender, 20 to 25 minutes. 4    Baste the plums with the orange syrup and sprinkle with the almonds. Bake, uncovered, until the plums are tender and glazed, 10 to 15 minutes, basting once or twice. Serve the plums warm or chilled, drizzled with the syrup and accompanied by a dollop of yogurt. Per serving (2 plum halves, 2 tablespoons syrup, 2 tablespoons yogurt): 151 cal, 4 g fat (1 g sat), 28 g carbs, 3 g protein, 1 g fiber, 6 mg chol, 25 mg sodium Top 10 Power Fruits  Of the hundreds of fruits out there, which ones give you the biggest nutritional bang for your buck? We bet on the ones with the most antioxidant power. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals—destructive molecules that damage cells. People with diabetes may have more free-radical damage than people without diabetes, raising the risk for heart disease and other health problems. Which fruits pack the greatest antioxidant punch? The good people at the USDA figured it out. Here are the Top 10. 1. Blueberries 2. Cranberries 3. Blackberries 4. Prune 5. Raspberries 6. Strawberries 7. Red delicious apples 8. Granny Smith apples 9. Sweet cherries 10. Plums   Until next issue, here's to good health! Neil Wertheimer Editor in Chief, Reverse Diabetes	Advertisement Change One Lose weight simply, safely & forever with this 12-week eating plan. Reverse Diabetes Eliminate the root cause of your disease with this simple step-by-step plan. This really works!        - Tina S., Wappinger Falls, NY
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