Search:

7 Common Myths About Diabetes

By: Don Saunders A great deal of misunderstanding surrounds diabetes and here we consider 7 common diabetes myths:

� Diabetics are prone to flu and colds. There is absolutely no evidence to demonstrate that individuals with diabetes are any more or less likely than anybody else to catch flu or a cold. Diabetics must however do their best to avoid such illnesses (by, for example, having an annual flu shot) because illnesses of this type can interfere with levels of blood sugar, and therefore make managing diabetes that much more difficult.

� Taking insulin can cause high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries. Early tests lead to the suggestion that insulin might play a role in triggering processes that are associated with the development of hardened arteries but this has proved to be incorrect and there is no evidence that insulin causes either high blood pressure or hardening of the arteries.

� Diabetes is a contagious condition. There is no truth in this at all. It is thought however that people who suffer from diabetes have a genetic predisposition to the condition and that it might be set off by such things as viruses and drugs, which includes antibiotics. It is possible therefore that contracting a common illness, or treating such illnesses with antibiotics, might lead to the onset of diabetes.

� Diabetics should only eat very small quantities of carbohydrate. Carbohydrates, which are found in a variety of foods including beans, bread, cereals, pasta and rice and from which the body gets much of the glucose required for energy, are a very important element of our diet, whether we are diabetic or not. These foods also contain much of our essential fiber intake. The secret for diabetics is simply to ensure that carbohydrates are balanced with other food items and that portions are kept to a reasonable size.

� Eating excessive sugar can cause diabetes. In spite of the fact that the causes of diabetes are not entirely understood, it is known that too much sugar consumption is not one of them. Having said this, consuming excessive sugar could well lead to an individual gaining weight, which is most certainly a factor in increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, it is not the sugar but the excess weight that may result in diabetes.

� Individuals suffering from have to eat a special diabetic diet. So called 'Diabetic' varieties of some foods that are often sold in health food stores are nothing more than a marketing ploy. Diabetics should simply eat a normal balanced diet that is low in fat and that contains moderate levels of both salt and sugar.

� Diabetics are not able to eat candy or chocolate. There is no reason at all why diabetics should not eat chocolate and candy, and indeed sweet desserts and cakes, as along as these are taken in moderation and are merely one element of a normal healthy diet plan.

The list of myths associated with diabetes goes on and on, although the 7 myths listed here are undoubtedly the most often encountered and, before too much longer, will hopefully be put firmly to rest.

Article Source: http://www.lifeweightloss.com

For more information on all aspects of diabetes including such things as type 2 diabetes symptoms and diabetes recipes please visit Diabetes-Treatment-And-Cure.com

Please Rate this Article

Not yet Rated