TRIAL UPDATES:
Which sites are open, how many patients enrolled
The CODA Study now has 13 sites actively recruiting! (see map)
We are just getting started and so far we have recruited nearly 200 participants into the study
Our goal is to reach 1,000 participants over the next year!
UNDERSTANDING DIABETES
Everyone in the CODA study is new to
having diabetes, either Type 1 Diabetes or
Type 2 Diabetes. The differences between
the two types of diabetes can be difficult to
understand, especially at first. Both types of
diabetes result in problems with blood sugar
levels, but for different reasons.
In Type 1 diabetes, the body makes very little
insulin or does not make any insulin at all.
In Type 2 diabetes, the body makes insulin
but the body does not use the insulin as
well as it should to control your blood sugar.
The following links can help you understand
diabetes better.
To understand diabetes in general:
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/index.html
To understand Type 1 diabetes:
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/signs-symptoms/just-diagnosed-type-1.html
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/signs-symptoms/just-diagnosed-type-1.html
To understand Type 2 diabetes:
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/signs-symptoms/coping-with-type-2-diagnosis.html
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/signs-symptoms/coping-with-type-2-diagnosis.html
Right now, we’re coming to the transition season between winter and spring. Winter can
be a time when it is hard to keep moving, so in our *Coach’s Corner* (at the end of this
newsletter), we’ve provided some tips for staying active while it is still cold outside.
However, as weather gets warmer and the first signs of spring appear, your mind may
turn to renewing spring activities like getting outside to garden, or spring cleaning.
Seasonal Tips for Diabetes Management
The following article discusses seasonal tips for diabetes management, including
the importance of staying hydrated as the weather warms up, the need to pay extra
attention to footwear because of the extra risks of foot injury with diabetes, and spring cleaning as a form of exercise
Spring Clean Your Diabetes
Additionally, the following link provides a new take on “spring cleaning” — Spring clean your diabetes management! This can include organizing your supplies and checking for expiration dates, updating your medical records and taking another look at your diabetes management goals.
KIDS CORNER
The CODA team is excited to enroll children in our trial. Each quarter, we’ll provide an activity in
the newsletter for them. This quarter, we’re providing a recipe from CODA patient partner Roland
Turman for kids to try out with their parents or guardians. (Adults might like this activity as well!)
Holiday Mac & Cheese (Plant-Based)
Pasta
- 1 box Banza Chickpea Elbow Pasta
Cook according to package directions. Set aside.
Cheese Sauce Base
In a saucepan, add the following:
- Vegan butter (to taste)
- White pepper
- Kosher salt
- 1–2 tsp truffle butter (Aux Délices des Bois or similar)
- A good pinch of garlic powder
- A good pinch of onion powder
- 1 tsp dry mustard powder
Thickener
- Mix 1-3 tbsp coconut flour with 1 cup cashew milk until smooth
- Slowly add this mixture to the saucepan to thicken the sauce
Plant Based Cheeses
- 1 bag Daiya Cheddar Shreds
- 1 bag Violife Mozzarella Shreds
- 1 bag Babybel Plant-Based White Cheddar
- 1 container Miyoko’s Cream Cheese
Stir all cheeses into the sauce until melted and creamy.
Assembly & Baking:
- Combine the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce.
- Transfer to a baking dish, sprinkle more cheese on top.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30–45 minutes, until golden and bubbly on top.
Introducing Roland Turman, Patient Partner Member
My diabetes journey
I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2021. One
morning, I woke up feeling very dizzy, and had
to keep going to the bathroom. I eventually
went to the emergency room, where I was
diagnosed with diabetes, and the doctor
explained to me that my symptoms where
my body trying to push the sugar out. I was
started on both Metformin and insulin, and
found that my body didn’t like Metformin
at all – I had a lot of side effects from it, so
I transitioned to insulin only. Then, I started
losing weight and started eating a plant-
based diet, and I was able to come off of all
of my diabetes medications. As my doctors
explained to me, diabetes is not a death
sentence. You can learn to manage it.
How I Got Involved with CODA
My doctors know that I am big on knowledge
and information, and they thought I might
like to participate in this study as a patient
partner. I’m hoping the study can teach us
more about what can trigger diabetes, and
what can make it worse or help it. One of the
things I’ve learned from participating in the
CODA Engagement Advisory Board is that
diabetes affects people from all walks of life –
even people knowledgeable about health like
doctors can get it. Participating has also made
me aware of resources I didn’t know about –
like the Diabetes Association website, which
has a lot of resources for people with diabetes.
Tips for the Delicious Healthy Eating with Diabetes
You can cook delicious plant-based meals!
There’s nothing wrong with the foods you’ve
always enjoyed if you learn to cook them
another way. You can find healthier ways to
enjoy your favorite foods, and you’ll be fine.
I like to shop at stores that put fruits and
vegetables front and center, because when
you walk through, there’s something healthy
in every corner. Most farmers’ markets offer an
INCREDIBLE variety of fruits and vegetables
you’d never expect. Some items you never
heard of. Your basket fills up before you even
get to the meat, dairy, or canned goods. Who
knew king oyster mushrooms really do taste
like chicken? Or that chickpeas can be a great
substitute for mashed potatoes? I’m not all
the way there yet, but I’ve shifted from a self-
indulgent mindset to one of self-reimagine.
I’ve shared a recipe to keep us inspired (see
Kids’ Corner in this issue)—we’re in this
together.
Introducing Russell Rothman, Principal Investigator of CODA
About Me
I’m a primary care physician and a Professor of
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and Health Policy at
Vanderbilt University Medical Center. My research
focuses on improving care for adult and pediatric
patients with diabetes, obesity and other chronic
diseases. Outside of research, my hobbies and
interests include spending time with my family,
travel, cooking, and watching college sports.
Why I’m Interested in Diabetes Research
I’m interested in diabetes for both personal
and professional reasons. My father had Type 1
diabetes. He lived with diabetes for 70 years, so I
grew up watching him manage his diabetes back
when people had to do a lot of self-injections
and pin pricks to check blood sugar. Watching
him do this got me interested in thinking about
how people with diabetes can best take care of
themselves. After becoming a doctor, I saw how
many of my patients were living with Type 1 or
Type 2 diabetes, and how it was something they
needed to think about every day, including what
they’re eating, their exercise, their medicines, care
of their feet and eyes – so many different things to
think about all the time! Seeing this, I wanted to
help people take care of themselves.
What led to the CODA Study
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, we were seeing
more people developing diabetes after they had
a bout of COVID-19, or people who already had
diabetes coming to the hospital who were very
sick with COVID-19. We also saw our patients with
diabetes have a hard time managing their blood
sugar during COVID-19. So when the NIH put out
a call for proposals to understand how COVID-19
impacted diabetes it drew our interest right away.
Russell Rothman, MD, MPP
What we hope to learn in the CODA Study
We know that COVID-19 can infect the beta-cells
in the pancreas, which is the part of the body that
make insulin, and we know that COVID-19 can
cause inflammation in the body that can cause
insulin resistance and affect the blood vessels.
So we’re interested in understanding: if someone
had COVID-19, could that infection affect how
their diabetes progresses? Might they be at risk
for more inflammation, worse blood sugar control,
high blood pressure, or heart disease?
By recruiting a large number or participants and
following them over time, we’ll learn a lot about
what affects diabetes beyond COVID infection.
And because folks are joining shortly after
diagnosis, we’ll learn a lot about what affects
the early trajectory of diabetes. That will include
looking at things like what medicines you started
on, how your diet and exercise were, what other
problems you had when you were diagnosed,
including life stressors or mental health issues.
If we can determine what affects diabetes
control, we can guide future treatments, like new
medicines. We might also find approaches that
don’t involve medication – how you manage
stress, eat, exercise, and other factors that might
help you with your diabetes. Ultimate, the goal is
to figure out how to better take care of diabetes.
COACH’S CORNER
When it feels cold outside, it can be more
tempting to slip under a comfy blanket and
sip on a cup of hot chocolate (sugar free,
anyone?!) than it is to get up and move. BUT!
Research shows that regular daily activity
plays a key role in your overall wellbeing,
especially in the winter months when we want
our immune systems to function properly.
Even just a few minutes a day helps to prevent
those pesky viral and bacterial infections...
So, what are some great ways to get and stay
active when it’s cooler out?
Suit up, head outside, and get some natural
Vitamin D!
-
Go for a brisk walk or jog (this adds to your daily goal of 7,000 steps – key for good health!)
-
Rake the leaves in your yard.
- Extra fun and energy if you pile them up and throw them at each other.
-
If it snows, go sledding or shovel the snow.
- Extra points if you shovel your neighbor’s driveway or sidewalk, too.
-
Go explore a state park and walk the trails.
-
Take your dog for a walk around the neighborhood.
If being outside is simply not your thing, try some indoor activities:
-
Go for a walk around the mall or in your living room.
- Cardiologists suggest turning on your favorite show and either walking on a treadmill or in place for half an hour each day.
-
Dancing (yes, living room dancing counts!).
-
Clean your house.
-
Go bowling or roller skating.
-
Find a fun group class like spinning or yoga.
The key is to find something you enjoy doing
and doing it for about 30 minutes each
day with an overall goal of 150 minutes of
moderate activity each week. For an extra
boost, listen to music while you do it because
it adds even more benefit to your heart health!
Win! Win!!
So… let’s get moving!
Til’ next time…
-Jessi
Please note, the recommendations presented here are for informational purposes only and are not medical advice.