Paula Deen has Type II Diabetes

[Princess Dolly]

That's an interesting take on it. Here's another:

Lots of people like Paula Dean. Many of these people might try this drug because it is endorsed by her. This would add to the bottom line of the company and perhaps reduce the number of people that have to be let go.

That's a stupid reason to use the drug.

 

[sunshinehighway]

I wish she wasn't choosing to be a paid spokesperson for a drug or drug company. She would do so much more good if she became an example of how changing your lifestyle can your life. She's had three years to use diet changes to help get this under control. Even if she can't control it without a drug, it would be better to say "changing your lifestyle is the greatest thing you can do". Too many people use drugs to manage things because its easier than changing their habits.

 

[PaulaSB12]

The trouble with the fat free muck is they remove the fat and replace it with sugar to counter the taste which is even worse. Its starting to look like Atkins and Bernstein where right about too many carbs. That is unfortunately the diet we are all told to eat low fat and high carb.

 

[Jennasis]

That's an interesting take on it. Here's another:

Lots of people like Paula Dean. Many of these people might try this drug because it is endorsed by her. This would add to the bottom line of the company and perhaps reduce the number of people that have to be let go.

Ah that's a sweet thought, but not how it works. And we've learned that thankfully the company she is endorsing is not Novartis (who is still getting rid of 60% of their workforce). It's Novo Nordisk. To clarify the mass firings at Novartis, it is because the company bungled the release of a new drug.

Patients very rarely get to dictate what drug they want to take. Their doctors do. And the doctors are wooed by the drug companies to prescribe THEIR drug over their competitors, with dinners and lunches and such.

 

[Dancind]

Ok, maybe I didn't cure my Diabetes. But my blood sugar is normal, and my symptoms are gone. I'm sure if I returned to my "normal" diet, it would come back.

 

[sbell111]

Ah that's a sweet thought, but not how it works. ...

Patients very rarely get to dictate what drug they want to take. Their doctors do. And the doctors are wooed by the drug companies to prescribe THEIR drug over their competitors, with dinners and lunches and such.

The very fact that drug companies pay celebrities to endorse their products shows that these endorsements work and that people do have some amount of say in what medications they are prescribed. Otherwise, the companies would not spend this money.

Further, while it is true that the doctor is the primary decider as to what meds are prescribed, there are many examples of different drugs being just as effective as one another (prilosec and pevacid being an obvious example). When this happens, it's not at all extraordinary for a doctor to go with whatever medication the patient prefers. This preference may be because the drug is on his/her insurance company's formulary or is known to have worked for someone else (a friend, relative, or trusted celebrity).

 

[minkydog]

Wow...lots of misinformation about Type 2 diabetes in this thread.

Lots of judging and lots of condescension.

If you have T2 diabetes - IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT!!!

Don't believe the so called media "doctors" (The Biggest Loser's Dr. H is one of THE WORST!!! ).

T2 diabetes is NOT curable, but it IS controllable.

I highly recommend the following sites:

http://www.diabetesforum.com/

http://www.diabetes.org/

Thank you for being the voice of reason. I was beginning to take some offense at certain posts who seem to be blaming the victims. I come from a family rife with type 1 AND type 2, so it wasn't any surprise to me when I came up pre-diabetic with high triglycerides.. I'll be the first to admit that my lifestyle and diet needed some closer attention. I chose to treat myself aggressively, so I use an injectable drug for type 2 diabetes whick helps keep my blood sugars stable. Plus, I have all but eliminated starchy and snack foods from my diet. I have a sister who weighs 350-lbs+ whose blood sugars and cholesteral/triglycerides are quite normal. Obviously, she is not at a healthy weight, but she doesn't have diabetes. On the other hand, my husband's sister who weighs 110-lbs and eats a scrupulously healthy diet has had diabetes for 15 years and will very soon be on insulin because the medications are no longer keeping her in good control.

If you are genetically predispositioned to get diabetes, an unsound diet and lifestyle can tip the scale. Many times if you make drastic changes, you CAN come off the meds. My own blood sugar has responded very nicely to even small changes, plus *one* medication. But not every obese person will develop diabetes. Something has to trigger it--diet, meds, viruses, high triglycerides, and other factors.

 

[LisaR]

I wish she wasn't choosing to be a paid spokesperson for a drug or drug company. She would do so much more good if she became an example of how changing your lifestyle can your life. She's had three years to use diet changes to help get this under control. Even if she can't control it without a drug, it would be better to say "changing your lifestyle is the greatest thing you can do". Too many people use drugs to manage things because its easier than changing their habits.

I think it is so sad that she is endorsing this medication. If she needs the medication because she isn't able to manage her condition without it, so be it, but to me it feels like she is saying, "Hey, you can still eat like crap because this great drug will help keep things in check for you."

 

[Jennasis]

The very fact that drug companies pay celebrities to endorse their products shows that these endorsements work and that people do have some amount of say in what medications they are prescribed. Otherwise, the companies would not spend this money.

Further, while it is true that the doctor is the primary decider as to what meds are prescribed, there are many examples of different drugs being just as effective as one another (prilosec and pevacid being an obvious example). When this happens, it's not at all extraordinary for a doctor to go with whatever medication the patient prefers. This preference may be because the drug is on his/her insurance company's formulary or is known to have worked for someone else (a friend, relative, or trusted celebrity).

The endorsement could translate into sales, but not enough to save 1600-1900 jobs. Period. It's a moot point. Novartis didn't sign Deen (which would have been awful to throw a multimillion dollar deal at her while cutting that many jobs...again moot). Novo Nordisk doesn't seem to have that problem at the moment, so bully for them.

 

[sbell111]

I think it is so sad that she is endorsing this medication. If she needs the medication because she isn't able to manage her condition without it, so be it, but to me it feels like she is saying, "Hey, you can still eat like crap because this great drug will help keep things in check for you."

I think that until we see these endorsements, we are unable to accurately know what she is 'saying'.

 

[Dancind]

Just took a quick look at her new web site "Diabetes in a New Light", and the first recipe I saw was for low fat lasagna. Guess that answers that. Be hungry all the time, keep taking those meds, and you will be fine. Except not.

Of course, she may not be practicing what she preaches.

 

[sbell111]

The endorsement could translate into sales, but not enough to save 1600-1900 jobs. Period. It's a moot point. Novartis didn't sign Deen (which would have been awful to throw a multimillion dollar deal at her while cutting that many jobs...again moot). Novo Nordisk doesn't seem to have that problem at the moment, so bully for them.

Both of your arguments are still flawed.

1. Companies going through layoffs still should not ignore marketing. Doing so only makes problems worse.
2. Marketing to consumers by drug companies helps increase drug sales.

It should be noted that I never suggested that an endorsement campaign could save 1600-1900 jobs.

 

[dngnb8]

Im not surprised at thread title.

 

[sbell111]

Just took a quick look at her new web site "Diabetes in a New Light", and the first recipe I saw was for low fat lasagna. Guess that answers that. Be hungry all the time, keep taking those meds, and you will be fine. Except not.

I'm not sure where you are getting that from. I glanced at the website that you referenced and what I immediately noticed was this:

Sign up to receive full helpings of:

•Recipes for diabetes-friendly foods that everyone will love
•Ideas to help you better manage your diabetes
•Cooking tips from Bobby and Jamie Deen
•Ways to work with your doctor to find a treatment plan that works for you

I can't find anything to complain about with that.

 

[LisaR]

I think that until we see these endorsements, we are unable to accurately know what she is 'saying'.

Well I certainly don't think she is going to actually say those words in the endorsement. It is the appearance that is concerning to me. The words for the ad will be different but her actions and her own words on her show will speak volumes.

 

[Jennasis]

Both of your arguments are still flawed.

1. Companies going through layoffs still should not ignore marketing. Doing so only makes problems worse.
2. Marketing to consumers by drug companies helps increase drug sales.

It should be noted that I never suggested that an endorsement campaign could save 1600-1900 jobs.

You are correct...but tell that to those being laid off. It's a bitter pill to swallow for them. What is necessary to do isn't always the popular solution for sure.

 

[hiwaygal]

Just took a quick look at her new web site "Diabetes in a New Light", and the first recipe I saw was for low fat lasagna. Guess that answers that. Be hungry all the time, keep taking those meds, and you will be fine. Except not.

Of course, she may not be practicing what she preaches.

What did you think was "wrong" with the recipe?

From my perspective, I would have replaced the ground beef with ground chicken or turkey and I would not use reduced fat cheeses. If one could find "no carb" pasta, that would be great but since that's almost impossible, choosing a whole grain, low carb option is better.

In very simplistic/general terms for T2 diabetics, fats are better than carbs.

The key is not to eat too much to maintain cholesterol levels.

 

[Dancind]

I'm not sure where you are getting that from. I glanced at the website that you referenced and what I immediately noticed was this:

Sign up to receive full helpings of:

•Recipes for diabetes-friendly foods that everyone will love
•Ideas to help you better manage your diabetes
•Cooking tips from Bobby and Jamie Deen
•Ways to work with your doctor to find a treatment plan that works for you

I can't find anything to complain about with that.

Click on "recipes".

 

[disneyfabfive]

It is sad.. Did she ever quit smoking?

 

[Dancind]

What did you think was "wrong" with the recipe?

From my perspective, I would have replaced the ground beef with ground chicken or turkey and I would not use reduced fat cheeses. If one could find "no carb" pasta, that would be great but since that's almost impossible, choosing a whole grain, low carb option is better.

In very simplistic/general terms for T2 diabetics, fats are better than carbs.

The key is not to eat too much to maintain cholesterol levels.

She's left all of the healthy fats out of the recipe, aka the egg yolk or any olive oil. Very lean meat has more Omega 6's than Omega 3s, and you should be striving to balance things the other way. Most people will not bother with the "low carb" pasta, and will think the whole wheat pasta is fine, because Paula says so. Most of the low fat cheeses etc, have sugar added and are higher in carbs. Anyone eating this recipe will be hungry and craving more carbs within a few hours.

Truly, I am not an expert. But I do think anyone diagnosed with Diabetes 2 should be prescribed a copy of Dr. Bernsteins' book.