Diabetes Myths

[CindySue48]

From the ADA website: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-myths.jsp

Diabetes Myths

Myth #1 You can catch diabetes from someone else.
No. Although we don’t know exactly why some people develop diabetes, we know diabetes is not contagious. It can’t be caught like a cold or flu. There seems to be some genetic link in diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle factors also play a part.

Myth #2 People with diabetes can't eat sweets or chocolate.
If eaten as part of a healthy meal plan, or combined with exercise, sweets and desserts can be eaten by people with diabetes. They are no more “off limits” to people with diabetes, than they are to people without diabetes.

Myth #3 Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.
No. Diabetes is caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. However, being overweight does increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes. If you have a history of diabetes in your family, eating a healthy meal plan and regular exercise are recommended to manage your weight. ***Hmmmm....isnt' eating too much sugar (or starch) a lart of your "lifestyle"?

Myth #4 People with diabetes should eat special diabetic foods.
A healthy meal plan for people with diabetes is the same as that for everyone – low in fat (especially saturated and trans fat), moderate in salt and sugar, with meals based on whole grain foods, vegetables and fruit. Diabetic and “dietetic” versions of sugar-containing foods offer no special benefit. They still raise blood glucose levels, are usually more expensive and can also have a laxative effect if they contain sugar alcohols.

Myth #5 If you have diabetes, you should only eat small amounts of starchy foods, such as bread, potatoes and pasta.
Starchy foods are part of a healthy meal plan. What is important is the portion size. Whole grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice and starchy vegetables like potatoes, yams, peas and corn can be included in your meals and snacks. The key is portions. For most people with diabetes, having 3-4 servings of carbohydrate-containing foods is about right. Whole grain starchy foods are also a good source of fiber, which helps keep your gut healthy. **Huh? the "myth" is that you can only eat small amounts....and they counter by talking about portion size....so doesn't their "arguement" support the "myth"?

Myth #6 People with diabetes are more likely to get colds and other illnesses.
No. You are no more likely to get a cold or another illness if you have diabetes. However, people with diabetes are advised to get flu shots. This is because any infection interferes with your blood glucose management, putting you at risk of high blood glucose levels and, for those with type 1 diabetes, an increased risk of ketoacidosis.

Myth #7 Insulin causes atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and high blood pressure.
No, insulin does not cause atherosclerosis. In the laboratory, there is evidence that insulin can initiate some of the early processes associated with atherosclerosis. Therefore, some physicians were fearful that insulin might aggravate the development of high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries. But it doesn’t. **This one is my favorite....studies show, but they're wrong! LOL

Myth #8 Insulin causes weight gain, and because obesity is bad for you, insulin should not be taken.
Both the UKPDS (United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study) and the DCCT (Diabetes Control & Complications Trial) have shown that the benefit of glucose management with insulin far outweighs (no pun intended) the risk of weight gain. ***Insulin doesn't cause weight gain....too much insulin causes weight gain....why can't they see that telling people to eat sugar and then "control" it by adding insulin is wrong?

Myth #9 Fruit is a healthy food. Therefore, it is ok to eat as much of it as you wish.
Fruit is a healthy food. It contains fiber and lots of vitamins and minerals. Because fruit contains carbohydrate, it needs to be included in your meal plan. Talk to your dietitian about the amount, frequency and types of fruits you should eat.

Myth #10 You don’t need to change your diabetes regimen unless your A1C is greater than 8 percent.
The better your glucose control, the less likely you are to develop complications of diabetes. An A1C in the sevens (7s), however, does not represent good control. The ADA goal is less than 7 percent. The closer your A1C is to the normal range (less than 6 percent), the lower your chances of complications. However, you increase your risk of hypoglycemia, especially if you have type 1 diabetes. Talk with your health care provider about the best goal for you. ***back before sugar became acceptable for diabetics, the "goal" was to get your blood sugars back to normal, not close to normal.

My comments are in bold.

Anyone?

[eepobee]

i think someone from the sugar lobby wrote this...

i like myth #9: fruit is a healthy food. in debunking the myth the simply repeat it. and why is it again that carbohydrate needs to be included in my health plan? because sugar is a carbohydrate and sugar lobbyists write this stuff? :help:

[Lisa N]

Myth #6 People with diabetes are more likely to get colds and other illnesses.
No. You are no more likely to get a cold or another illness if you have diabetes. However, people with diabetes are advised to get flu shots. This is because any infection interferes with your blood glucose management, putting you at risk of high blood glucose levels and, for those with type 1 diabetes, an increased risk of ketoacidosis.

This one is wrong as well. Sugar and high insulin levels suppress the immune system making the person more susceptible to colds and other illnesses.

[Kristine]

This just kills me.

i think someone from the sugar lobby wrote this...

Or some pencil-pushing marketing/public relations type who has never taken a biochemistry class in his/her life. Have these people never even heard of the field of endocrinology?

Y'know, it makes me so angry that we accept that overworking your liver, for example, with too much booze (or other chemicals) will disable it. If you inhale too much cigarette smoke (or asbestos, etc), you'll disable your lungs. Yet they're so committed to the idea that your pancreas can handle as much sugar as you can possibly throw at it, even though we consume more starch and sugar than any society in history. "But diabetes is a random thing that happens if you're genetically susceptible." http://www.twowheelforum.com/images/smilies/willybs.gif

[ojoj]

This one is wrong as well. Sugar and high insulin levels suppress the immune system making the person more susceptible to colds and other illnesses.


They're all wrong and its b*ll*x like this that keeps the sugar and drugs industry rich at the expense of lives!

[Bat Spit]

Myth #7 Insulin causes atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and high blood pressure.

Ummm. Could someone please offer me an alternate explaination for why I had to go on blood pressure medication at 21, at my lowest ever adult weight while following a strict low fat/high carb diet.

Considering after a year of low carb I'm off all BP meds for the first time in 16 YEARS even though I still weigh over 350 lbs?

Anyone?
No, I didn't think so.

[Kent]

Hi Everyone,

The information about diabetes that is propagated by professional associations, the media and professional health web sites is scientifically wrong. I got so frustrated at not being able to reference a truthful resource that I made a page myself. Enjoy and pass it on.

Diabetes - The Cause, Prevention, Treatment and Control of Hypoglycemia and Type 1 & 2 Diabetes (http://www.biblelife.org/diabetes.htm)


Kent :wave:

[Dodger]

Kent,

It's going to take me a while to go through all the information on your site. Thanks for putting all that information together.

[CindySue48]

Thanks Kent....I know what I'm going to be reading over the next few days!

[Duparc]

Thanks Kent, I too will be joining the throng to read your information. It has the appearance of being competently presented and the engineer in you, in its presentation, comes across loud and clear.

Diabetes, as we on this forum are aware, is not the only health problem thrown-up by the high-carb diet. In my early years, during my first marriage, my wife was unable to carry a pregnancy although we succeeded in having three daughters. With today's knowledge I now recognise that the problem was most likely caused by a diet that was high in carbs.

My first wife succumbed to BC 7 years ago yet declined to take advice that was not from the medical profession. Her diet contained vast amounts of carbs and those so-called healthy polyunsaturated oils!

Pottenger, in his cat's studies, highlights those effects yet he is almost totally forgotten today. Weston Price's observations also supports Pottenger's studies but I have never come across a dentist who follows Price's theories.

I lost a 45 year old daughter 2 years ago unquestionably through diet, and my other two daughters are built like sumo wrestlers yet shy away from any advice which they feel is a bit cranky.

Regretfully, my grandchildren are now being affected and so the problem is being perpetuated down the generations. My first grandchild was severely affected by cerebral palsy and succumbed to her problem aged 16. Could her situation have been diet related? Sure sounds like it.

I am reminded here of the adage which goes: some people must think I am a mushroom; they keep me in the dark and feed me with 'bull'!

(Noticed too your home page)!

Bat Spit: if I recall correctly polyunsaturated fat has the tendency to effect the flexibilty of the arteries. What would have been your main source of fat when you were 21?

[bsheets]

This just kills me.



Or some pencil-pushing marketing/public relations type who has never taken a biochemistry class in his/her life. Have these people never even heard of the field of endocrinology?

Y'know, it makes me so angry that we accept that overworking your liver, for example, with too much booze (or other chemicals) will disable it. If you inhale too much cigarette smoke (or asbestos, etc), you'll disable your lungs. Yet they're so committed to the idea that your pancreas can handle as much sugar as you can possibly throw at it, even though we consume more starch and sugar than any society in history. "But diabetes is a random thing that happens if you're genetically susceptible." http://www.twowheelforum.com/images/smilies/willybs.gif
Hahahaha that's brilliant! Exactly what I wanted to say but could never find the words to do. :D

e

[Jiggy Puff]

These myths were generated from the ADA (American Diabetes Association) site.

How scary is that!

Everyday our loved ones are being feed this crap. They unfortunately believe the ADA because they are suppose to be the authorative fiqures here.

But notice that the ADA is highly supported financially by the Drug companies who's profit would suffer from proper nutrition -controlled diabetes self care ( low carb).

Of course if one follows the ADA diatary guidelines, one is sure to need the drugs to control their diabetes.$$$$$$$

[Duparc]

Read a number of the articles Kent. Some were repititions of what is generally known but I was particularly interested in the one "The Principle For The Cure Of Cancer...(etc)". Quite thought provoking.

[kyrasdad]

How odd. My mother developed Type 2 diabetes, and her doctors instantly guided her to what amounts to a low carb diet. They specificially removed almost all the sugar. Why would her diabetes specialist not listen to whoever wrote this article?

In my case, although I am not diabetic, I do go to an endocrinologist at a diabetes specialist practice for my thyroid issues. I usually do not go more than once a year since, as it's been relatively under control for a number of years. When I went back last time, I had lost about 80 pounds since my prior visit. My doctor was thrilled with that, and he asked me how I did it. He was very satisfied with the low carb method.

The good news is that although the ADA may be on drug company payola and have articles that sound as if a sugar industry shill wrote them, at least some of the medical establishment isn't buying in.

[2bthinner!]

that I'm glad that "Scientifically there is no genetic linkage to diabetes" as my husband and I both have it in our families. His brother has it. And it's hard as the Dr. seems to follow this myth sheet. I've tried to talk to him, but he's mildly retarded, so it's difficult. He can be very focused, but if it's in a different direction, you're talking to a wall. He likes my sf jello though. :lol: I think the only thing that concerns me with him is he drinks A LOT of diet coke. Like 40 oz a day. Even if I didn't have an issue with aspartame, I don't think all that soda is good for your bladder/kidneys.

[Duparc]

That's a fair drop in weight Kyrasdad. Well Done! Guess you could say it's a load off your mind? Hope the thyroid benefits from the diet.

[CindySue48]

How odd. My mother developed Type 2 diabetes, and her doctors instantly guided her to what amounts to a low carb diet. They specificially removed almost all the sugar. Why would her diabetes specialist not listen to whoever wrote this article?
Sounds like your mom has a rare doc indeed! My sister and niece have all been diagnosed as having diabetes. My niece is now "diet controlled" and things all's well.....even thos she's still well over 100# overweight and follows a very poor diet....essentially the only change she has made was to stop drinking sodas.

My sister has been told to get "at least 2-3 servings of grains or starchy vegetables with each meal", and "if you're hungry between meals, have a serving of bread, pretzels, or even a baked potato, without added fats". My niece was told to make sure she had "at least 45 grams of carb at each meal" and to make sure she had a small snack at bedtime "a little protein is fine, but no or very little fat". My niece won't tell me her numbers (I don't think she checks any more), just says she's "dong fine". My sister, on the other hand, is on 2 oral meds (max doses on both) and still has average blood sugars of 140-160....but her first in the morning is around 120-130. She's also on 2 BP meds, but still has high BP.....on and yea, she's on statins for her elevated cholesterol. (My brother is also diabetic, but I have no idea what his treatment is like)

In my case, although I am not diabetic, I do go to an endocrinologist at a diabetes specialist practice for my thyroid issues. I usually do not go more than once a year since, as it's been relatively under control for a number of years. When I went back last time, I had lost about 80 pounds since my prior visit. My doctor was thrilled with that, and he asked me how I did it. He was very satisfied with the low carb method.
WOW! you must be so proud of yourself!!!! That is a fantastic accomplishment!!!!! And you did it without the help of a doc? Amazing (ok, so not for us, but for the rest of the world)

The good news is that although the ADA may be on drug company payola and have articles that sound as if a sugar industry shill wrote them, at least some of the medical establishment isn't buying in.Not enough.....not nearly enough!!!!!!

[stephiewil]

I had to save your web site to my favorates to give me time to read everything, wow, it is awesome !! I will be sending a lot of people there to read for sure, very very interesting !!
Thanks !!! Stephie :)

[Scars]

Hi Everyone,

The information about diabetes that is propagated by professional associations, the media and professional health web sites is scientifically wrong. I got so frustrated at not being able to reference a truthful resource that I made a page myself. Enjoy and pass it on.

Diabetes - The Cause, Prevention, Treatment and Control of Hypoglycemia and Type 1 & 2 Diabetes (http://www.biblelife.org/diabetes.htm)


Kent :wave:

Interesting piece, Kent. I wonder about a couple of things in particular with regards to your thoroughly written link.

1) What of the relatively simple and yet powerfully effective intervention of cardio exercise and strength training. There is oodles of evidence that these interventions alone lower insulin resistance and consequently incidences of diabetes. I think the combo of LC/Exercise is a lethal 1-2 punch when it comes to battling this epidemic.

2) Could you provide me with some references in regards to Type I diabetes and low carb. I always thought of type I as largely genetic - a result of the islets of langherans (sp?) not producing sufficient insulin. How would low carb affect this.

3) I'm curious as to why you say "of which 3g or less if fiber" when you recommend no more than 20 g of carbs.

[CindySue48]

2) Could you provide me with some references in regards to Type I diabetes and low carb. I always thought of type I as largely genetic - a result of the islets of langherans (sp?) not producing sufficient insulin. How would low carb affect this.My understanding is the difference between Type 1 & 2 is whether the pancrease still produces insulin.

I'm reading Berstein's book and in it he explains that the islets slowly die off, and by limiting carbs you can prevent further destruction. Once you are no longer producing any insulin lower carbs simply means lower insulin doses and better control.

[Scars]

My understanding is the difference between Type 1 & 2 is whether the pancrease still produces insulin.

I'm reading Berstein's book and in it he explains that the islets slowly die off, and by limiting carbs you can prevent further destruction. Once you are no longer producing any insulin lower carbs simply means lower insulin doses and better control.

Cool...thank you CindySue48. Does Bernstein reference this theory in his book?

[CindySue48]

Yes Scars. He tries to put patients on insulin in order to "rest" the pancrease and give it a chance to heal and maybe prevent the "burn out" of the remaining still-producing-insulin cells. I've not heard of this approach, but it does make sense!

Actually, his explaination is pretty much what we were taught in school. We were taught that Type 2 was simply "wearing out" the insulin producing cells. We all have a certain number and if we abuse them, by continuing to eat a high carb diet ("good" or "bad" doesn't matter to your pancreas), they will "burn out" sooner rather than later. I can almost see my teacher standing there and saying "we're all going to become diabetic eventually, if we live long enough!"