7 Often Heard Myths About Diabetes

There is a great deal of misunderstanding surrounding diabetes and here are 7 often quoted diabetes myths:

� Taking insulin can cause high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries. Early tests suggested that insulin may play a part in triggering processes associated with the development of hardened arteries but this has proved not to be the case and there is no evidence that insulin causes either high blood pressure or hardening of the arteries.

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

� People suffering from diabetes must eat a special diabetic diet. So called 'Diabetic' variations of certain foods which are often sold in health food stores are nothing more than a marketing ploy. Diabetics should merely eat a normal balanced diet which is low in fat and which contains moderate levels of suager and salt.

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

� Consuming excessive sugar can cause diabetes. In spite of the fact that the reasons for diabetes are not completely understood, it is known that excess sugar consumption is not one of them. This said, consuming too much sugar could well lead to an individual gaining weight, which is certainly a factor in increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It is however not the sugar but the increase in weight which you are carrying that may result in diabetes.

� Diabetes is contagious. There is no truth in this at all. It is believed however that individuals with diabetes have a genetic predisposition to the condition and that it may be triggered by such things as viruses and drugs, including antibiotics. It is possible therefore that contracting a common illness, or treating that illness with antibiotics, might lead to the onset of diabetes.

� Diabetics should only eat very small amounts of carbohydrate. Carbohydrates, which are found in a range of foods including bread, beans, pasta, cereals and rice and from which the body gets much of the glucose needed for energy, are an important element of our diet, whether we are diabetic or not. They also contain a lot of our essential fiber intake. The secret for people with diabetes is simply to ensure that you balance carbohydrates with other foods and that your food portions are kept to a reasonable size.

The list of myths associated with diabetes of course goes on and on, however the 7 listed here are without doubt the most frequently encountered and, before long, will hopefully be put to rest.

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