(NAPSI)—For 30 million Americans, diabetes is an everyday reality.
Diabetes can affect every decision, including what they eat, wear and do. Yet
the 24/7 management of diabetes is often misunderstood, carrying a social
burden, as too many Americans wrongfully assume the disease is the result of
poor choices.
The American Diabetes Association is setting the record straight. Here’s
what’s real and what’s not when it comes to diabetes:
Myth: Being overweight causes diabetes.
Fact: Being overweight is a
risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes but it’s not the only one.
Family history, ethnicity and age also play a significant role. In fact,
people with type 2 diabetes are often at a normal weight or only moderately
overweight.
Myth: Diabetes is caused by eating
sugar.
Fact: Type 1 diabetes is a disease, in which the immune system attacks
insulin-producing beta cells. Type 2 diabetes is
caused by the body’s inability to use the insulin it produces and
progresses so that less insulin is produced over time. Eating sugar doesn’t
cause either type, though a diet high in calories can contribute to weight
gain, which increases one’s risk of developing type 2
diabetes.
Myth: Taking insulin means you
have failed to manage your diabetes properly.
Fact: Type 2 diabetes is a
progressive disease. Over time, the body gradually produces less and less of
its own insulin to keep blood glucose levels in a healthy range, so insulin
is needed. People with type 1 diabetes require insulin to survive.
Myth: People with diabetes need
to eat special foods and can’t eat sweets.
Fact: A healthy meal plan for
people with diabetes is generally the same as a healthy eating plan for
anyone: low in saturated fat and moderate in salt and sugar, with meals based
on lean protein, nonstarchy vegetables, whole
grains, healthy fats and fruit. People with diabetes can eat sweets and
desserts. The key to sweets for everyone is small portions.
Myth: Diabetes isn’t that
serious.
Fact: Diabetes causes more
deaths per year than breast cancer and AIDS combined, and nearly doubles your
chance of having a heart attack. The good news is that managing diabetes can
reduce your risk of such complications.
For more information, go to www.diabetes.org/everydayreality.
“Diabetes is not caused by sugar or being lazy—learn the top 5
myths about #diabetes at diabetes.org/everydayreality http://bit.ly/2TZ148o”
Tracey's #EverydayReality from American Diabetes Association on Vimeo.
On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)