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Archive for April, 2008

Diabetes Recipe: Duck Breast with Apples

Saturday, April 26th, 2008

Maybe its not very popular here in North America, but in French and Italian kitchens, as well as in Germany, its a rather popular food. Here’s how to make it:

1 teaspoon (5 ml) ground allspice
1 teaspoon (5 ml) freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt
4 skinless duck breasts, 5 ounces (150 g) each, all fat removed
 refrigerated butte-flavored cooking spray
1 medium onion, 5 ounces (150 g), minced
2 large cloves garlic, minced
3 fresh sage leaves, minced or 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) rubbed dried
1 teaspoon (5 ml) minced fresh rosemary or 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) crushed dried
1/2 ounce (15 g) low fat, low-sodium ham, chopped
1/2 cup (120 ml) dry white wine
1/2 cup (120 ml) fat-free, no salt added canned chicken broth
2 medium Granny Smith or Fuji apples, 10 ounces total (300 g), cored and sliced
1 tablespoon (15 ml) red wine vinegar
 extra fresh sage leaves for garnish (optional)
Combine allspice, pepper, salt, and rub on the duck breasts. Allow it to stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.

Lightly spray a nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Add the duck breasts and saute on high heat until brown on both sides. Lower the heat and cook until its medium rare, taking about another 3 minutes per side. Do not overcook duck breast as will become dry and stringy. Transfer duck breasts to a heated platter and keep it warm.

Add the onion, garlic, sage, rosemary, and ham to the skillet. Stir in wine and broth. Reduce liquid to about 1/3 cup (80 ml).
Spray another nonstick skillet with cooking spray and sauté apple slices with red winger until they begin to soften, about 4 minutes. Set aside.
Add the duck breasts to the reduced sauce and reheat. Place a duck breast on each of 4 serving plates. Top with equal portions of the sauce and apples. Serve immediately.
Per serving: 257 calories (23% calories from fat), 30 g protein, 7 g total fat (2.0 g saturated fat), 15 g carbohydrate, 3 g dietary fiber, 111 mg cholesterol, 259 mg sodium
Diabetic exchanges: 4 lean protein (meat), 1 carbohydrate (fruit)

Serves 4 people

Sexual Problems in Men With Diabetes

Tuesday, April 15th, 2008

Around 20 to 85 percent men with diabetes are estimated to suffer from sexual dysfunction. Erectile Dysfunction is a condition of constant inability in men to achieve an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse. This condition varies in severity from man to man. Some have total inability to have an erection, some are not able to sustain an erection even if they manage to get one, or it can be occasional inability to have or sustain an erection. A current study finds that about 5% men with this condition have undiagnosed diabetes.

 

Chances of men having this condition are 300% more than men who don’t have diabetes. Also, men who have diabetes usually can suffer from erectile dysfunction as much as 10-15 years earlier than men who don’t have diabetes. So it is obvious that diabetes and sexual dysfunction in men have a proven co-relation.

 

Diabetes is not the only medical condition that can lead a man toward sexual dysfunction. Other medical conditions that can lead men toward sexual dysfunction are blood pressure, alcoholism, kidney disease, and blood vessel disease. Side effects of medications, smoking, psychological factors, and hormonal deficiencies can also lead to sexual dysfunction.

 

Lot of men are hesitant to talk to their doctor about this condition. But if you suffer from erection dysfunction, talking to your doctor is the first thing you must do. Your doctor can analyze your family history, your current other medical conditions, perform lab tests to identify the cause of ED. You may be able to get cured if certain medical condition leading you to ED can be treated first.

 

In general, there is no cure for erectile dysfunction which is commonly known as ED. However, there are ED pills like Cialis, Viagra, and Levitra (also known as Vardenafil) which can treat ED and give you an erection.