Independent Living Systems is offering a new Disease Management Program for anybody who has been diagnosed with Diabetes. This program was developed with health, nutrition and diabetes self-management in mind.

The Diabetes Disease Management Program is designed to provide you with the necessary information and resources to assist you in managing your diabetes. Through this program, you will receive some or all of the following information or services from us to assist you in better controlling your diabetes.

1. Educational materials and other resources to assist you in the self-management of your diabetes.
2. Recommendations for appropriate lifestyle changes to better control your diabetes (Ex. diet, exercise)
3. Reminder letters when you are due for important exams or lab tests related to your diabetes
4. Commuincation with your PCP or Endocrinologist regarding you meal plan
5. Diabetic Meals
6. Online Nutrition couneling
7. Dietary Supplements to help manage Diabetes (see description below).
     These include:

a. Alpha-Lipoic Acid
b. Chromium
c. Coenzyme Q10
d. Garlic
e. Magnesium
f. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
8. Online Nutrition counseling

About the selected supplements:

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA, also known as lipoic acid or thioctic acid) is a chemical that is similar to a vitamin. It is an antioxidant a substance that prevents cell damage caused by substances called free radicals in a process called oxidative stress. High levels of blood glucose are one cause of oxidative stress. ALA is beneficial in diabetes because of its antioxidant activity, its ability to normalize blood sugar, and improve peripheral neuropathy in diabetics.

Chromium

Chromium is a metal and an essential trace mineral.. Chromium picolinate is a nutritional supplement that works to increase the efficiency of insulin to optimal levels.

Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10, often referred to as CoQ10 (sometimes written as CoQ10; other names include ubiquinone and ubiquinol) is a vitamin-like substance. CoQ10 helps cells make energy and acts as an antioxidant. CoQ10 supplements may improve heart health and blood sugar and help manage high cholesterol and high blood pressure in individuals with diabetes.
(High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease are all common problems associated with diabetes).

Garlic

Garlic (Allium sativum) is an herb. In some cultures, garlic is used for medicinal purposes. The chemical in garlic of most interest for health purposes is allicin, which gives garlic its strong taste and odor. One possible mechanism of action of garlic on serum glucose may be direct: it may increase the pancreatic secretion of insulin from beta cells, or it may enhance insulin's release from its bound state.

Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral. Foods high in magnesium include green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, and some whole grains. Various supplemental forms of magnesium are marketed as tablets, capsules, or liquids.
Magnesium has many important functions in the body, including in the heart, nerves, muscles, bones, handling glucose, and making proteins. Low levels of magnesium are commonly seen in people with diabetes.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3s, for short) are a group of polyunsaturated fatty acids that come from food sources, such as fish, fish oil, some vegetable oils (primarily canola and soybean), walnuts, wheat germ, and certain dietary supplements. As supplements, omega-3s are marketed as capsules or oils, often as fish oil.

Omega-3s are important in a number of bodily functions, including moving calcium and other substances in and out of cells, the relaxation and contraction of muscles, blood clotting, digestion, fertility, cell division, and growth. Omega-3s have been the subject of much media attention in recent years, because of studies finding they may be useful for such purposes as decreasing the rate of heart disease, reducing inflammation, and lowering triglyceride levels.

Some countries and organizations have issued formal recommendations on the intake of omega-3s, through meals, oils, and possibly supplementation. Omega-3s have been of interest for diabetes primarily because having diabetes increases a person's risk for heart disease and stroke.