Diabetes Misconceptions-Treat the Root of the Problem

Diabetes Myths and Misconceptions

Many of the beliefs that people have about diabetes are misconceptions and not true. Before treating the symptoms and risks it’s helpful to look at the facts and get past the misinformation so you can address the root of the problem. This is true of prediabetes and the type II diabetes that is likely to follow if nothing is done about it.

Misconception About Genetics

Many people presume that diabetes is genetic and there is nothing they can do about it. While there are some who may be predisposed genetically to diabetes, changes in the human genetic code take place over very long extended periods of time. This in no way can account for the dramatic increase in diabetes. From 1980 to 2010 the increase of diagnosed diabetes increased 176% in the US according to the Center for Disease Control. This is a dramatic increase and cannot be attributed to a genetic or inherited cause but rather by environmental factors. Mainly the food we eat, stress and a sedentary lifestyle lead to diabetes. In 2010 the estimate of worldwide diabetes is 285 million. It is estimated to increase to 438 million by 2030 according to Word Diabetes Foundation.

Misconception That After You Start Insulin You Can’t Stop

By aggressively intervening with diet and exercise you may be able to stop taking insulin and even completely reverse the course of diabetes. Taking insulin many times leads to gaining weight, high blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels. All of this just starts the ball rolling to more complications and more medications. The best treatment is a whole foods diet, low glycemic index foods, limit sugar and you must exercise. Food (the right food) is always the best medicine.

 Misconception That Diabetes Can’t be Reversed

Many believe that being diagnosed with diabetes that they are doomed to a progressive decline in health including the many accompanying diseases like cardiovascular disease, failure of the kidneys, amputation and blindness. While all this can follow if untreated, there are many studies that prove this incorrect. A study was done in 2011 called the Reversal of type 2 diabetes: normalisation of beta cell function in association with decreased pancreas and liver triacylglycerol. It showed that people with advanced type 2 diabetes whose pancreas had completely stopped working and the insulin producing beta cells were damaged, had a complete turnaround after a dramatic change in diet. In this study patients were taken off their medication in 1 week by eating a plant based diet, low on the glycemic index and low calorie. Their pancreas recovered and blood sugar returned to normal. You can take steps not only to manage diabetes but can reverse it if you are willing to do what is necessary. Good news!

Misconception That Prediabetes Is Not a Problem Until It Becomes Diabetes

If you have found out that you are prediabetic, that is the warning shot fired over the bow. You cannot afford to ignore it. A typical diet of burgers, sodas, fries and chips is going to lead to diabetes if left unchecked. The things that go along with prediabetes are high blood pressure, clogged arteries, bad cholesterol, fatty liver and insulin resistance to start. If prediabetes is left unchecked it will lead you down the road of having your whole body chemistry and metabolism get out of whack and that just progresses over time.

If you are reading this article because you have just been diagnosed with prediabetes don’t be discouraged, there is a lot that you can do. I used to be prediabetic and have reversed this with knowledge and understanding of what I needed to do to. If you want to check out how I overcame this and what I did visit my home page and get started. You can do this!