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7 Often Quoted Diabetes Myths

There is a great deal of misinformation surrounding diabetes and here are 7 common diabetes myths:

� Eating too much sugar can cause diabetes. In spite of the fact that the causes of diabetes are not completely understood, it is known that excessive sugar consumption is not one of them. Having said this, eating too much sugar could well lead to a person gaining weight, which is most certainly a factor in raising the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, it is not the sugar but the increase in weight that may result in diabetes.

� People suffering from diabetes are required to eat a special diabetic diet. So called 'Diabetic' varieties of some foods that are frequently sold in health food stores are nothing more than a marketing ploy. Diabetes sufferers should simply eat a normal balanced diet that is low in fat and that contains only moderate levels of both suager and salt.

� Diabetes is contagious. This is not true. It is believed however that people who suffer from diabetes have a genetic predisposition for the disease and that it may be set off by such things as viruses and drugs, which includes antibiotics. It is possible therefore that getting a common illness, or treating such illnesses with antibiotics, might lead to diabetes.

� Diabetes sufferers 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 required for energy, are an important element of our diet, whether we are diabetic or not. These foods also contain a lot of our essential fiber intake. The secret for diabetes sufferers is simply to ensure that carbohydrates are balanced with other foods and that portions are kept to a reasonable size.

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

� Diabetes sufferers are prone to catching colds and flu. There is no evidence to show that individuals with diabetes are any more likely than anyone else to catch a cold or flu. Diabetics should however try 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 the management of diabetes that much more difficult.

� Diabetics are not allowed to eat candy or chocolate. There is absolutely no reason why diabetics should not eat candy and chocolate, and indeed cakes and sweet desserts, as along as these are taken in reasonable small quantities and are merely one single element of a normal and healthy diet plan.

The list of myths which are associated with diabetes of course goes on and on, but the 7 listed here are almost certainly the most often heard and, before long, will hopefully be put firmly to rest.

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About The Author: For more information on all aspects of diabetes including such things as type 2 diabetes symptoms and diabetes recipes please visit Diabetes-Treatment-And-Cure.com

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