Diabetes researcher kicks off IHMC Lecture series

Diabetes researcher and patient advocate Andrew Koutnik kicked off the 2019 Fall Evening Lecture Series at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) in downtown Ocala on Thursday, speaking to a full house on how diet can help manage the adverse effects of diabetes.

The free Evening Lecture Series is sponsored by IHMC, which has centers in Ocala and Pensacola and focuses on robotics and cyber-research. The program is in its ninth year and has steadily grown in popularity and attendance. The talks cover a variety of topics including science, health and lifestyle and are delivered by people who are recognized experts in their fields.

Koutnik, 30, who has a doctorate in molecular medicine, began his research at Florida State University and was awarded a presidential fellowship at the University of South Florida. He is involved with biomedical research at USF's Metabolic Therapeutics Lab, according to a biography supplied by IHMC.

Koutnik was diagnosed with insulin-deficient Type I diabetes about 13 years ago while on a family trip to Washington, D.C. He follows a regimen of diet and exercise to help control the adverse effects.

Koutnik said high and low blood sugar both are dangerous. "(We) need to start appreciating nutrition as medicine," he said about using diet to help control blood sugar or glucose levels.

Koutnik said along with insulin injections, he follows a diet of mostly lowered carbohydrates. A typical meal might include a chicken breast and salad with oil and vinegar. He also runs sprints as part of his workout routine.

"Balanced" and "meal by meal" management tailored to the individual are important for proper maintenance of normal blood sugar levels, Koutnik said. He said levels should be monitored over a period of time.

The talk drew a number of questions from the audience.

Laurie Zinc, IHMC development and community outreach director, said she is excited about the wide range of speakers lined up for the Fall Lecture Series. Upcoming speakers include Mark Emery, the double Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and former Ross Allen Reptile Institute employee, who will speak about his film “Out of the Mist, A Silver River Story” on Oct. 24; Art Devany, a leader of the Paleo movement, on Nov. 14; and Andrew Taggart, a philosopher, who will talk about a "life with inquiry" on Dec. 10.

Lecture attendee Frank Gamache said he has been to IHMC lectures during all but the first year they were offered.

"It's amazing.The talks are really interesting (and) you won't find better speakers anywhere in the world," he said.

More info at www.ihmc.us