Diabetes myths and facts

We constantly hear in the news about how people in our country are becoming more and more at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. With all of the information out there, it's no wonder some people can get confused as to what diabetes is and what effect it can have on your life. Here is a very cursory list of some of the common misconceptions surrounding diabetes, along with a short explanation of the facts. This is for general information only; only your doctor can give you a true diagnosis or health advice.

Myth #1: Diabetics have to eat “special food” and can't eat with the "rest of the world".

Fact: Yes and no. There are definitely foods diabetics shouldn't eat and “versions” of foods that are more diabetic-friendly. Your average diabetic diet, though, just includes a lot of produce and whole grains. They need to limit the amount of fats and refined sugar they consume, which means that some processed foods are "out". Anyone can benefit from this. 

Diabetics do have to be careful about their carbohydrate consumption because these foods can raise blood sugar, but that doesn't necessarily mean they can't have them at all. They and their doctor can work out exactly what a person's dietary restrictions are.

Myth #2: Diabetes isn't really *that* serious.

Fact: Yes, it is. Uncontrolled diabetes can  cause a number of complications, up to and including death. The nerve damage diabetes can cause makes it more difficult for oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to get to the eyes and/or extremities, which can literally make those parts die.  Smoking and drinking to excess can make this process faster, so it is especially important that people with

diabetes avoid these things.

Myth #3: A diabetes diagnosis means your life as you know it is over.

Fact: You'll definitely need to make some lifestyle changes; there's no getting around that. You'll need to learn to read food labels properly to be sure you're getting the necessary nutrients while cutting back on fats and sugars. You'll likely need to lose weight and adopt a more active lifestyle, but aren't these things you should be doing anyway? You'll definitely need to learn to read food labels properly and cut back on processed foods, but that's something anyone can benefit from. I'm told that, while learning all this new information is a daunting task, it gets easier as time goes on. 

It's also been said that following a good diet can make type 2 diabetes easier to deal with and, in some cases, can even reverse it. I used to work at a weight loss clinic and saw this pretty often. 

Myth #4: Being overweight and eating too much sugar causes type 2 diabetes.

Fact: Not exactly. They're definitely risk factors, but things like ethnicity and heredity make a difference too.

On a related tip, a person doesn't have to be overweight to get diabetes. While being overweight is a factor, “skinny” people can get it too if they don't take care of themselves.

For more information, visit 

http://m.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/.