Too Much Sugar Causes Diabetes -- And Other Myths
By Sara Butler
Diabetes is an all-too-common chronic disease, impacting the lives of over 100 million adults in the United States. For such a common condition, there sure is a lot of misinformation out there about it. This information comes from a variety of sources, but if you or someone you know suffers from diabetes, it’s important to know the truth about it. Here are some of the most common fallacies about diabetes and the truth behind them.
Diabetes is Caused by Eating Too Much Sugar
There are two different types of diabetes. Type 1 is caused by the body’s immune system. It attacks the pancreas, destroying the cells that create insulin. It has nothing to do with sugar.
Type 2 diabetes is the second type a person can develop, and it’s not caused by eating too much sugar either. Gaining weight does impact the health of your pancreas and its ability to effectively utilize insulin but eating sugar itself doesn’t cause this condition. Eating too much of any food can cause weight gain and extra pounds are often one of the causes of developing type 2 diabetes.
People with Diabetes Can’t Eat Sweets
This is simply not true. Just as anyone else, people with diabetes can eat many different things, as long as they watch their portions. Too many sweets aren’t healthy for anyone and people with diabetes keep a close eye on how much of what they have in order to help keep their blood sugar under control.
All People with Diabetes are on Insulin
Not everyone who has diabetes needs insulin. People with type 2 diabetes can sometimes control the condition through diet and possibly other medications. If a person suffers from type 1 diabetes, their body doesn’t produce insulin, so they need to take it in order to survive and keep their blood sugar under control.
For people who suffer from diabetes, diet, exercise, and keeping an eye on their blood sugar numbers is essential to staying healthy.
If you come across some information about diabetes and you’re unsure if it’s accurate, talk to a trusted medical professional about it. Diabetes is a serious condition, so it’s better to know the right answer to your questions rather than relying on information you hear. Know what's helpful and what’s harmful to stay healthy!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Jacksonville, Fla.