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Top 5 Diabetes Myths

In the South, it isn’t out of the ordinary to hear someone talk about a family member who has “the sugar.” 

This is a term commonly used to describe type 2 diabetes. But living with diabetes is more than having “a touch of sugar.” Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to more serious health conditions like a stroke, heart attack, nerve or kidney damage and blindness.

While diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases, it’s often misunderstood. Diabetes is a serious medical condition that affects an estimated 30.3 million people in the United States (9.4 percent of the U.S. population), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That number represents the 23.1 million people diagnosed with diabetes and the 7.2 million people who are undiagnosed. 

Considering the prevalence of diabetes, it’s critical that we separate fact from fiction when it comes to prevention and management of this disease. Here is a list of the most common myths associated with diabetes. 

1. Eating too much sugar causes diabetes. It’s true that staying away from sugary foods and drinks can help prevent diabetes, but eating too much sugar isn’t the direct cause. Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics and environmental factors like viruses. Type 2 diabetes — the most common form — is caused by genetics and lifestyle factors. Those factors include eating an unhealthy diet, having high blood pressure, being overweight or obese and not being physically active. A Harvard University study showed that drinking sugar sweetened drinks is linked to type 2 diabetes.

2. People with diabetes can’t eat sweets. When it comes to diabetes management, no foods are off limits. Candy and desserts can be eaten by people with diabetes as long as it’s part of a healthy meal plan. But moderation is key! To help keep sugar cravings in check, keep portion sizes small and save sweet treats for special occasions. 

3. Only overweight people have diabetes. Have you ever heard the term, “skinny fat?” It’s a term used to describe someone who is a normal weight, but has too much body fat and not enough muscle mass. A Northwestern University study showed that nearly 1 in 4 skinny people have prediabetes and are “metabolically obese.” Another study from the University of Utah found that a toxic class of fat metabolites called ceramides may be making people more prone to type 2 diabetes, regardless of their weight. 

4. A diabetes diagnosis means you will go blind or lose a limb. While diabetes can lead to blindness or losing a limb if left uncontrolled, research has shown that you can reduce the chance of developing diabetes complications by controlling your blood pressure, glucose (blood sugar) and triglycerides (blood fat) levels. Eating healthy, staying physically active, losing body fat and quitting smoking are other ways to reduce risk. Early detection through eye exams, foot exams and urine tests also helps.

5. Once you’re diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you have it for life. Research has shown that intensive lifestyle interventions like diet and exercise had the potential to help people with type 2 diabetes reduce their blood glucose to normal or prediabetic levels without drug treatment for a period of time. The study went on to show that the potential was higher among people who lost a substantial amount of weight or increased their physical activity. It was also higher among those who had diabetes for a short time, were not using insulin and had lower blood sugar levels. 

If you want to discuss measures you can take to prevent or control diabetes, speak with your primary care provider or endocrinologist. If you need a doctor, call the 24-hour Tanner physician referral line at 770-214-CARE or visit tanner.org.

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