La Selva

Hi Friends!!! Wanted to write a little update on my help with the diabetic/metabolic study in the jungle! Last time I blogged (which was quite awhile ago...slacker, I know :-p ) I mentioned about a possible opportunity to help with diabetic and metabolic research designed and funded by a doctor in Sweden. Kerstin, a nurse from Sweden and Florence, a nurse and missionary in Shell were organizing the study in Ecuador and asked if I would help! (and I of course jumped at the opportunity.) The study was first conducted 7 years ago and published in 2004

Lindgarde, F., Widen, I, Gebb, M., & Ahren, B. (2004) Traditional versus agricultural lifestyle among Shuar women of the Ecuadorian Amazon: effects on leptin levels. Metabolism, 53(10), 1355-1358

The study originally was comparing metabolic statuses of women from villages who still practice the hunting/gathering lifestyle of diets vs. those in a neighboring village who have adapted to an agricultural lifestyle diet. During this research we examined the same women and also a group of women living in Shell, who had grown up in the Jungle but had moved to "the city."  The study consisted of a social questionnaire regarding diet, lifestyles, activity, family, ect., a simple exercise activity which tested heart rates, blood pressures, a biometric exam which included BMI and fat and muscle indexes, fasting blood glucose and obtaining blood samples to exam back in the hospital lab in Shell.

So, the three of us flew in Monday morning! Our first stop was in Makuma to pick up a doctor who would be seeing patients in our first village. So the four of us took of again and headed to Yuwientsa. Yuwientsa was beautiful and we actually stayed in a 'guesthouse' with running water and a SHOWER. :-) Once we arrived we set up and got started right away. Everyone in the village was very welcoming and friendly. Along with the study we were able to spend time with the families and have a mini tour! They kindly provided all of our meals...which was interesting but yummy!

Giant flying ants...a delicacy. They're only in "season" in the fall-so it was a treat to try! :-)

Where we ate all our meals

The clinic/guesthouse in Yuwientsa

Wednesday we packed up and flew to our next village of Yampuna. The doc did not go with us to this village-though I wish he did. Through miscommunication, the village thought we were a medical caravan seeing patients and giving vaccines. It was heartbreaking to turn away patients, but without any supplies, there was little we could do but refer them to make the journey to Makuma or elsewhere for medical care. Yampuna was pretty different from Yuwientsa, with no running water and river for a shower :-) We set up camp in a community/school type building and starting to see the women. This village was beautiful as well and reminded me more of the communities in the mountains of Haiti. The people here also provided all of our meals, by which I experienced grubs-giant grubs.... :-)

Bath time!

We flew out Friday afternoon and I was pretty ready for running water and a shower :-) But my time there was amazing. God is good and His beauty is so evident through his creation and people. I'll hopefully post more pictures from the jungle and Shell of facebook-so be lookin' :-)

Much love to you all and I am truly blessed by your love and support!
-Kim