Expertise I am an exercise physiologist with a PhD who specializes in diabetes. My expertise lies in answering questions about diabetes (of any type) and physical activity. I can help you if you want to begin exercise or if you're already a diabetic athlete, and I am prepared to respond to questions about physical activity to which even your diabetologist may not know the answer. I can give suggestions about changes in your diabetic medications that differing types and intensities of exercise may necessitate, but I will have to refer you to your regular health care team to get final approval to make such changes. I can also answer questions about physical fitness, exercise metabolism, prediabetes reversal, and prevention of type 2 diabetes and diabetic complications.
Experience I have both personal and professional experience in the areas of diabetes and exercise. On a personal level, I have had type 1 diabetes since 1968, and I have been an avid exerciser since I was a child. Professionally, I have been conducting clinical studies on diabetes and exercise since 1992, largely with funding from the American Diabetes Association. I am also the author of four books related to diabetes and exercise: The Diabetic Athlete (2001, but soon coming out in a 2nd edition), Diabetes-Free Kids (2005), The 7 Step Diabetes Fitness Plan (2006), and 50 Secrets of the Longest Living People with Diabetes (2007).
Organizations I am a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, a professional member of the American Diabetes Association, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Diabetes Exercise & Sports Association.
Publications I have published research and review articles in the following journals and magazines: Diabetes Care, Diabetes, Journal of Diabetes & Its Complications, Diabetes Self-Management, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, Journal of Applied Physiology, The Physician and Sportsmedicine, Journal of Clinical Investigation, International Journal of Obesity, FASEB Journal, The Diabetes Educator, Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Clinical Exercise Physiology, Clinical Diabetes Reviews, Insulin, ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal, Biomechanics, On the Cutting Edge, Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, Microvascular Research, Drug Benefit Trends, ACSM Certified News, Diabetes Health, SportEX Health, Diabetes Focus, Diabetes In Control, dLife-For Your Diabetes Life, Pediatrics for Parents, and My TCOYD (Taking Control of Your Diabetes) Newsletter. I have also been interviewed in myriad other magazines, such as Men's Health, Men's Fitness, Diabetes Forecast, Countdown Magazine, Joe Weider's Muscle & Fitness, Health, Tidewater Parent, Barron's News, Diabetes New Day, and Newsweek International.
Education/Credentials I have an undergraduate degree (1985) from Stanford University, a Master's degree in exercise physiology (1987) from the University of California, Davis, and a Ph.D. (1992) from the University of California, Berkeley, in the same field. I also spent two years in an NIH-funded postdoctoral research position in endocrinology (studying obesity, diabetes, metabolism, and exercise) at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (1993-1994).
Awards and Honors • Fellow, American College of Sports Medicine (FACSM) - 1996
• Old Dominion University Darden College of Education Young Investigator Grant Award – 2003
• Academic Keys Who’s Who in Education – 2003-2007
• Marquis Who’s Who in America – 2004-2007
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Old Dominion University Chapter – 2004-Present
• Great Women of the 21st Century by the American Biographical Institute – 2005 Edition
• Marquis Who’s Who of American Women – Included in 2006-2008 Editions
• Marquis Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare – Included in 6th Edition, 2006-2007
• Old Dominion University Darden College of Education Largest Research Grant Award – 2006
• Old Dominion University Darden College of Education Publications Award (for greatest number) – 2006
Past/Present Clients I have consulted for numerous groups, including the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training(about candidates with diabetes), Animas Corporation (an insulin pump company), Therasense, Inc. (makers of the Freestyle blood glucose meters), Council of Healthcare Advisors, and the City of Chesapeake (Virginia) Health Department.
Q: I am 21 and I've noticed lately that I am quick to reach for sugary snacks. For example, I can ... A: Nicole, Eating sugar or carbs doesn't cause diabetes on its own. However, we now know that ...
Q: GOOD DAY, AM A 38 YEAR OLD BUSINESSMAN AND RECENTLY WHEN I WAS FEEL LOOSE MY WEIGHT FM 97KG TO ... A: Mohammad, You definitely should cut out all SUGARED sodas and other sugary drinks as your body no ...
Q: I am a 38 year old man and have been excercising for the past year, doing both strength and cardio. ... A: Harv, You are correct that stress can elevated BG levels. Chronic stress elevates levels of ...
Q: Last week i experienced some tingling sensation in my feet so i went to the doc and the doc advised ... A: Pankaj, According to the American Diabetes Association's guidelines, a normal fasting BG is ...
Q: Last week i experienced some tingling sensation in my feet so i went to the doc and the doc advised ... A: A normal fasting blood glucose reading is less than 100 mg/dl. > • A pre-diabetes alert if ...
Q: Last week i experienced some tingling sensation in my feet so i went to the doc and the doc advised ... A: Pankaj, First of all, a fasting BG of 100 is considered in the "insulin resistant" or ...
Q: I'm a 39 yr old white male, 5'11" 245lbs, that has borderline or elevated sugar levels. Doctor has ... A: Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is 34.17. It is generally used to determine whether you are at a healthy ...
Q: I recently had a fasting blood glucose test done the other morning. It came back elevated at 102. I ... A: Your numbers, in spite of not being truly fasting, are in the non diabetic range The criteria for ...
Q: I am a diabetic. My Endocrinology doctor helped me change my eating habits; classes and three ... A: Thomas, Yes, I agree completely with what your gym instructor is saying. Focus more on how your ...
Q: Could you tell me what "A1C" stands for or means? I keep on seeing but nowhere is it defined. Is ... A: The term "A1c" is a short-hand way of referring to a blood test, the glycated hemoglobin(or HbA1C) ...
Q: I am having a problem, my underarms smell no matter what I use it smells. I have diabetes do to ... A: Jackie, I am not an expert in the area of your questions, but when I did a quick online search ...
Q: Recently (about the last couple weeks) I've noticed a burning sensation in my right hand, mostly in ... A: Bill, There are some who believe that a vegan diet is the answer for diabetes, but certainly this ...
Q: I'm a 58 year old woman. I have not been diagnosed with diabetes but my last fasting blood test was ... A: Rose, Stick with doing both cardio and weight days for best blood glucose results. As you age, ...
Q: My husband and I both had fasting blood glucose tests at our doctor's office. We both tested high, ... A: • A normal fasting blood glucose reading is less than 100 mg/dl. > • A pre-diabetes ...
Q: Description: 39 yr old white male 5'11" 245Lbs take blood pressure/cholesterol meds for some years ... A: Mike, You're right to try to take steps now to prevent the onset of diabetes later on. The best ...
Q: I am a 57 year old male. 6"0, 175 lbs. For the past two years I have been under constant stress from ... A: Danny, Stress exerts its effects primarily through increases in the hormone called cortisol, ...
Q: My boyfriend and I both have type 2 diabetes, and we both take metformin. I don't know if our ages ... A: It is recommended for safety that all medications be taken as prescribed by the physician. When a ...
Q: My doctor wants me to go take a fasting glucose test in the next few weeks. I run on a treadmill ... A: Jeff, It's both. Your BG level will tend to be slightly higher in the AM due the overnight ...
Q: My doctor wants me to go take a fasting glucose test in the next few weeks. I run on a treadmill ... A: Jeff, Technically, for a fasting test you're not supposed to exercise beforehand. If you do and ...
Q: I have 8 children, 7 girls and 1 boy. My 11 year old was diagnosed in July with type 1 diabetes and ... A: A normal blood glucose is generally 70 - 99mg/dl fasting, and 140mg/dl or below two hours after a ...
Q: I've been getting up once per night to pee for a long time, but this has recently increased to twice ... A: serum electrolytes and glucose, urine specific gravity, urinary sodium, simultaneous serum and urine ...
Q: I'ld like to know why my blood sugar rises drastically 2 hours after meal.I take 15units of humulin ... A: There are two long acting insulins available in Canada.. Insulin glargine, Insulin detemir, There ...
Q: I'ld like to know why my blood sugar rises drastically 2 hours after meal.I take 15units of humulin ... A: It is natural for blood sugar to go up after a meal.. however how high it goes up will depend on how ...
Q: N, I've been on diabetic medication for 3 weeks. Numbers: after fasting 11 after glucose ... A: unfortunately with a fasting glucose of 11 or more before treatment the likelihood of needing and ...
Q: What is diabetes and how is it diagnosed? A: Diabetes in its broadest sense is a disease of sugar metablolism.. There are several types and some ...
Q: i have a high level of prolactin 4790 had no periods for 2 years i also have hypothyroidism which i ... A: This is a very high level of prolactin and would suggest that you need to find out where it is ...
Q: I am a 30 year old female who was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 10 years ago. I am on levoxyl ... A: Liz, Probably half of the American population has some level of vitamin D deficiency, so it's ...
Q: I was diagnosed a diabetic (2) 2 years ago and I'm having a problem finding a medication (not ... A: Great question. You can accomplish the same thing as nutrisystem just by watching your carbohydrates ...
Q: The Epsom Salt label says to seek out an MD before using in a warm bath if you are diabetic or have ... A: Lou, It sounds like your diabetes is well controlled, and doing your exercise is a great way to ...
Q: Ive recently had a few symptoms that I am concerned with and I fear I may have Diabetes. I have had ... A: An interesting question.. pins and needles and numbness can be signs of nerve damage from diabetes.. ...
Q: I think I have Diabetes and was wondering if what I am eating is ok. I dont have insurance so ... A: First of all, why do you think you have diabetes? Second -- if you DO have diabetes, you're eating ...
Q: I am a fit and normal weight (BMI 21-22) 32 yr old and have had borderline fasting glucose levels ... A: This is an interesting question.. however it is not one I have dealt with in my practice. Both of ...
Q: I am a fit and normal weight (BMI 21-22) 32 yr old and have had borderline fasting glucose levels ... A: Indeed your post eating numbers are higher than normal and you, with your family history , are at ...
Q: I am a 44 year old female and I weigh 90lbs. I am also 5'2". What should my normal blood sugar range ... A: Your low sugars are not really low and in itself should not be causing you much issue.. I think it ...
Q: I am a 44 year old female and I weigh 90lbs. I am also 5'2". What should my normal blood sugar range ... A: Try small regular meals with protein and low glycemic index carbs.. (complex starchy foods like ...
Q: I am a 44 year old female and I weigh 90lbs. I am also 5'2". What should my normal blood sugar range ... A: My first concern is that with a weight of 90lb and a ht of 62 inches you have quite an unhealthy BMI ...
Q: What is going on with taking insulin. When I took insulin 35 units in the morning and at night, I ... A: Elmer, It's not your imagination. Insulin can definitely promote weight gain--and it's mostly ...
Q: I make gelato, i came up with a receipt using splenda and milk but milk has 12g of sugar, can i ... A: Gino, Your gelato is definitely sugar free. Natural milk sugar (lactose) does not count. When ...
Q: can you tell me if a test score for the CRP of 0.58 High is a mild elevation or worse. The normal ... A: There are different types of C reactive protein tests done and the lab values also vary by lab.. ie ...
Q: My husband has Diabetes 2. He is experiencing numbness & pain in the tip of one finger. I ... A: Diabetes can cause nerve damage and it can be just a single little nerve.. but that is really less ...
