Diabetes Awareness Month

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. The more you know about the disease, the more you can help prevent and properly treat the diabetes. There are a lot of different beliefs out there about diabetes. Here are a few of the most common myths out there.
If you are overweight or obese, you will eventually develop type 2 diabetes
- It is definitely a risk factor, but so are other risk factors like family history, ethnicity and age that are also a huge risk factor. In fact, most people who are overweight/obese never develop type 2 diabetes.
Eating too much sugar causes diabetes
- The answer isn’t so simple. Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease and type 2 diabetes is caused by lifestyle factors and genetics. Research has been shown that drinking sugary drinks are related to developing type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes is not a serious disease
Diabetes is causing more deaths in a year than breast cancer and AIDS combined!! Did you know that it doubles your chances of having a heart attack too? It is definitely a serious disease and should be taken quite seriously.
People with diabetes should avoid sweets and desserts
There are no “off-limit” foods for people with diabetes. If they remain a part of a healthy eating plan and regular physical activity, then they can be ok.
You can catch diabetes from someone else
No. It isn’t contagious like a cold or flu. There does seem to be a link genetics and lifestyle factors however.
If you or someone you know has diabetes and you would like to either get more information and/or learn how to manage your blood glucose levels, please seek some education from a Certified Diabetes Educator in your area. Looking for more information? Check out www.diabetes.ca