Glucerna 1-2-3 Challenge: Empowering the patient to manage their diabetes with the help of technology

Diabetes is no joke. It is said to be a growing health problem in the country and also a growing worldwide epidemic. As of 2011 DOH figures, it is the 8th leading cause of mortality in the Philippines. Along with high blood pressure, it is a leading cause of kidney failure and hemodialysis. (You wouldn't want to have kidney failure.) With diabetes, you may also have other complications like heart diseases, stroke, eye complications, nerve damage, skin complications, hypertension and even erectile dysfunction common among diabetic men. Preventive measures you have to do especially if you are obese and have a family history of diabetes include the following:

• Take plenty of fiber from veggies, fruits, beans, nuts and whole grains.
• Increased physical activity or exercise, watch your weight and lose extra pounds.

Now if you happen to have diabetes already, follow your doctor's advice, take your medications and do your end of the bargain especially regards with your lifestyle.

It is nice to know that with the help of technology, patients are now empowered to take control of the management of their diabetes. Such is the case with the Glucerna 1-2-3 challenge from Abbott.

The Glucerna 1-2-3 challenge is a 12-week program specifically made for diabetics to learn simple techniques to help them manage their diabetes with a healthy lifestyle. This is done with the help of a set of online tools found in the website http://www.glucerna123challenge,com.ph and the corresponding mobile app which is available for Iphone and Android smartphones. The online tools provide tracking tools to monitor blood sugar levels as well as progress reports, easy meal plans and recipes, daily exercise plans and step-by-step instructional videos and guidance as to how to incorporate Glucerna  into the healthy diet.

By the way, Glucerna is a specialized nutrition product for diabetes patients to slow their progression as well as prediabetics to help delay or prevent the onset of diabetes for use in conjunction with overall diabetes management plan. The latest formulation of Glucerna is the Triple Care Specialized Nutrition with benefits which coincides with the 1-2-3 challenge of:

• managing blood sugar or glucose levels
• support heart health
• manage well your weight

Glucerna chocolate flavor (The other is vanilla)

According to Abbott, Glucerna  provides

• an advanced, slowly-digested, low glycemic index carbohydrate system to avoid sudden peaks of sugar levels and manage blood sugar response.
• a unique heart-friendly lipid blend rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and omega-3 fatty acids to help support heart health
• key ingredients to help reduce waistline as well as weight
• 225 calories per serving
• 32 vitamins and minerals

In other words, Glucerna's advantage is you know exactly what you are taking in, very vital for patients monitoring calories and blood sugar levels.

I say let us take advantage of this technology and take control of our health. So, you want to respond to the Glucerna 1-2-3 challenge?