Diabetes Myths

With so many misunderstandings about diabetes, it is difficult to find what are the facts and fiction. The biggest myth is eating too much sugar is the cause of diabetes. Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes is risk factor No.1. If you have too much weight around the midsection you are burdening your pancreas and hence the chances of high blood sugar increases.

Genetics and being overweight set the wheels of inflammation and insulin resistance in motion. When the pancreas is unable to keep up with the demand for insulin, the blood glucose rises.

Mindless gorging on samosas in the office and eating chips in front of television can cause the blood sugar level to rise up. When planning your meals, start by adding low-fat, high-fibre carbohydrates.  All carbs matter, be it fruits and vegetables. Fruit smoothies are made with healthful fruit. Any food that contains carbohydrate can raise the blood sugar level. So it is a myth that healthy food does not raise the blood sugar level.

Fruits too have carbohydrates so you should not consume more than 200 grams daily. Starting insulin does not mean that you are unable to conquer blood sugar. When the functionality of the pancreas goes below 60 per cent is when a person gets diabetes.

It is again a myth that medication is the only way to lower blood sugar. Physical exercise is very important because if you exercise you build muscles and this muscle mass absorbs sugar from the blood stream.