Myths regarding diabetes

Here are the most popular ones:

Diabetes is more of a genetic and less of a lifestyle disease

There are 2 types of diabetes type-1 & type-2. Type-1 can be caused by genetic factors while type-2 is caused by lifestyle conditions. Type-1 diabetes is where the pancreas does not produce enough insulin due to destruction of islets of Langerhans. Incidentally, insulin is produced in the Islet of Langerhans which isn’t an exotic island but clusters of endocrine cells in the pancreas.

Type-2 diabetes is where there is high blood glucose due to insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. Lifestyle factors are normally responsible for this type of diabetes. However there is no clear cut rule that heredity can favor type 1 over the other or vice versa.

Diabetics must go without dessert

If the diabetic has an exercise plan in place and sticks to it then there is no reason why he shouldn’t indulge in sweets, chocolates and desserts. Special diabetic food does not offer any real benefits that can eliminate the disease. Correct plan for calorie consumption is what matters.

If you are overweight then you will get Type-2 diabetes

True! Type-2 diabetes is a lifestyle disease, but doesn’t mean every obese person is a by default candidate for Type 2 Diabetes. The factors for the onset of disease are not certain yet.

It is also equally ridiculous to assume that diabetics are at a higher risk for diseases. It is true that diabetes can make wounds more difficult to heal and lead to eye or kidney complications if not taken care of, but that doesn’t mean diabetics are disease-infested people.

Diabetes also cannot be passed through contact or through air. However it doesn’t stop it from being deadly, as Diabetes alone claims more people every year than Aids and cancer combined.