Two Swiss researchers found that microwave cooking changes food nutrients significantly. Blood samples taken from eight individuals immediately after eating microwaved food revealed, among other things, an increase in number of white blood cells--often a sign of poisoning.

Safety tips for using microwave ovens

I personally have never had a microwave oven in my own kitchen and am finding that it had been difficult to get people to give up their microwave ovens. Some of generation who grew up with microwave ovens apparently don't know any other way to heat food (really!).

If you choose to use a microwave oven, Consumer Reports magazine suggests you stay as far as possible from oven while it is in operation.

In addition, operate and maintain oven in ways that minimize leakage:

* make sure oven door closes properly * prevent damage to hinges, latches, sealing surfaces and door itself, and make sure these are in good working order * make sure no soil or food residues accumulate around door seal * avoid placing objects between sealing surfaces.

For peace of mind, test your oven for leakage. Testers can be purchased online.

When cooking in a microwave, use heat-resistant glass, not plastic. The Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) of USDA warns against using foam trays, plastic wraps, and cold-storage containers such as margarine tubs, whipped-topping bowls and cottage cheese cartons. According to FSIS flyer "A Microwave Handbook," these containers "are not heat stable at high temperatures. They can melt or warp from food's heat, possible causing chemicals to migrate into food."

Read more about microwave ovens, healthfulness of microwaved food, and where to purchase microwave oven testers at http://www.debraslist.com/food/aboutmicrowaveovens.html

In response to this growing health burden of diabetes, diabetes community has three choices: prevent diabetes; cure diabetes; and improve quality of care of people with diabetes to prevent devastating complications. All three approaches are being actively pursued by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Many government agencies, at all levels, are involved in educational campaigns in an attempt to prevent diabetes, especially type 2. Several approaches to "cure" diabetes are also being pursued: pancreas transplantation, islet cell transplantation (islet cells in pancreas produce insulin), development of an artificial pancreas, and genetic manipulation where fat or muscle cells that do not normally make insulin have a human insulin gene inserted and are then transplanted into people with type 1 diabetes.

While there is yet no cure for diabetes, healthy eating, physical activity, and insulin injections are basic therapies for type 1 diabetes. For those with type 2 diabetes, treatment includes healthy eating, physical activity, and blood glucose testing. Many people with type 2 may require oral medication to control their glucose levels. People with diabetes must take personal responsibility for their day-to-day care, and keep blood glucose levels from going too low or too high. The key to living a long and healthy life with diabetes is to learn about disease, exercise daily, follow a diabetes food plan (right portions of healthy foods, less salt and fat), stop smoking, take prescribed medications, get routine medical care, brush your teeth and floss every day, monitor your blood glucose way doctor tells you to and remain positive. Using correct routines, thousands of people with diabetes have lived long, happy and productive lives.