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| This article covers diabetes misconceptions that contradict the truth |
These are misconceptions about diabetes that perpetuate stigma and hinder empathy and an accurate understanding of the condition.
Relying on these false beliefs to diagnose hyperglycemia is unjust, and it renders assessments incomplete. In some instances, a diagnosis of diabetes is based solely on physical signs, such as obesity, without comprehensive laboratory analysis.
Similarly, individuals with a normal body weight may overlook the need to monitor their blood sugar levels due to the absence of visible signs of diabetes. Rest assured, I am here to address these myths you may have come across and provide suggestions on how to counter them, ensuring you are well-informed and unaffected by misinformation.
Only obese individuals have diabetes.
Diabetes shouldn't perform the exercise.
Sugar levels don’t rise, and a rise typically indicates diabetes.
Blood sugar levels can fluctuate throughout the day. If you have just checked your blood sugars and noticed they are high, it's important not to jump to conclusions and consider yourself diabetic.
Take a moment to think about whether you had a recent meal, as that could be a possible reason for the elevated levels. Remember, even those without diabetes can experience low blood glucose in the morning and occasional spikes. Monitoring blood sugar levels is not something most of us do regularly, but being aware of these changes is crucial. Stay informed and take care of your health.
Blood sugars are often low when we wake up before eating anything. Breakfast was necessary to jump-start our system. In the same way, after a meal, our blood sugar levels rise. This triggers insulin to prompt glucose uptake by cells for energy generation.
Only obese individuals have diabetes.
Even though obesity increases diabetes risks, particularly type 2, diabetes is very possible for people of various weights.
As obesity isn't the only factor, we have lifestyle causes, genetics, and overall health. For example, polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal disorder associated with insulin resistance in women of reproductive age.
A slim person and a person of normal body weight may look healthy but have accumulated fat deeply in their organs: the liver and the pancreas. This poses an increased health risk. We may not see this, as we are much more concerned about subcutaneous body fat than our vital organs.
Not all obese people develop diabetes, as some may have more fat in their subcutaneous tissues and less in their vital organs (visceral fats). A complete examination of body fat is necessary before deciding. In general, waist circumference is thought to reflect visceral fat. For more precise information, more precise methods are needed. In this respect, detailed tests of body fat can be done accurately by using imaging techniques and finding the waist-to-hip ratio.
People with diabetes shouldn't eat fruit.
Fruits are essential to a healthy, balanced diet for everyone, even diabetics. They contain fibre, vitamins, and minerals necessary for our bodies' proper functioning. However, we have fruits with a high glycemic load (GL); this isn't a reason to say no to fruits.
Still, one can portion control the fruits selected by your dietitian to have milder effects on your blood sugar. Fruits with a lower glycemic index (kiwi, peaches, cherries, and more) are available to break the misconception that diabetes patients can't have fruits in their diets.
A dietitian balances fruits with natural sugars and other carbohydrate sources without raising blood sugar. In balancing them, they know we rely not only on fruits as carbohydrate sources; we incorporate others into meals during the day. For example, adding grains, fruits, and vegetables to meals ensures the body has all the essential nutrients it needs. Keeping in mind that carbohydrate amounts from both sources have been accurately determined.
So, without proper proportions of both, diabetes may encounter blood sugar challenges.
Does watermelon have a low glycemic index?
Watermelons have a moderate to high glycemic load; remember that their glycemic load varies based on the ripeness and variety of the fruit.
Hyperinsulinemia is diabetes.
High insulin levels in the bloodstream are associated with type 2 diabetes, primarily because of insulin resistance. Yes, sometimes there is too much insulin in the bloodstream due to it not being used, as liver cells have insulin resistance. But hyperinsulinemia may not be because of diabetes.
Other than insulin resistance, what causes hyperinsulinemia? Well, these are causes of high insulin levels, showing that hyperinsulinemia may not be diabetes.
- Having excessive numbers of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
- Insulinoma: these are tumours in insulin-producing cells (beta cells).
Sugar or sugary foods cause diabetes.
If this were true, everyone would have diabetes. Almost everyone has had sugary foods (sweets) or many teaspoons of sugar in their tea or coffee once in a while, or by chance. But that one didn't cause diabetes immediately. However, taking too much sugar frequently increases the risk of weight gain, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, but it’s not the sole cause.
Diabetes type 2 can be a complex condition caused by a combination of various factors, including a sedentary lifestyle (which prompts weight gain), genetics, and environmental factors that influence insulin resistance.
Diabetes shouldn't perform the exercise.
Exercise is crucial for everyone. But it's true to say that only poor implementation or change of remedies along with exercise can cause low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) among diabetics who exercise. Work with a sports dietitian and your physician to monitor blood sugar levels before, during, and after exercise.
Adjustments in medication, insulin dosage, and carbohydrate intake are things a dietitian and physician can do to maintain a stable sugar level. This is for people with diabetes who exercise and take part in sports.
Herbal concoctions, bitter leaves, and bitter drinks cure diabetes.
While certain herbs and bitter foods are often claimed to provide health benefits, there is currently insufficient scientific evidence to support the notion that they can effectively cure diabetes.
Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires dietary modifications, lifestyle changes, and insulin for management. These measures help maintain normal blood sugar levels but do not cure the underlying causes of elevated blood sugar.
Traditional use of herbs and bitter leaves has been associated with potential blood sugar-lowering effects, but concerns about their efficacy and safety arise, particularly in individuals with diabetic kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy).
Herbs are naturally rich in potassium and other minerals that may be unnecessary for diabetic patients with compromised kidney function.
In individuals with damaged kidneys, impaired mineral excretion and balance can occur, which may be further aggravated by the potassium, sodium, phosphorous, and other mineral content found in herbs.
It is advisable to consult a healthcare professional, especially when it comes to matters of diabetic nephropathy and the use of herbal remedies.
Diabetes is a disease of the rich.
As I explained earlier, various factors, including genetics, overall health, and lifestyle, cause diabetes; thus, people of various economic statuses can also get diabetes.