MYTHS and Facts About Diabetes..."Learn the Difference".

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• MYTH: You may not consume any sugar.
• Fact: Sugar can be consumed as long as its not frequent and it fits with your diet plan.

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• MYTH: A high-protein diet is best.
• Fact:  Actually, eating too much protein, mainly animal protein, may a cause insulin resistance. A healthy diet should include protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Our bodies need all three to function properly.

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• MYTH: You have to cut down on carbs.
• Fact: You have to be aware of the serving size and the type of carbohydrates that you are eating. Choose whole grain carbs, which is filled with fiber that your body can digest slowly which keeps blood sugar levels more even.

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• MYTH: You can only eat special diabetic meals.
• Fact: Though healthy eating is required it doesn’t mean you need to purchase special diabetic food, it won’t make a difference or offer any special nutrients. Eating in moderation is essential.

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• MYTH: Eating too much sugar causes diabetes
• Fact: Eating too much sugar does not cause diabetes.
• Type 1 diabetes- it is caused by a destruction of the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, which has no relation to sugar.
• Type 2 diabetes: is the result of the body's inability to respond to insulin normally. In most cases Type 2 diabetes is genetically inherited. With you may eat sweets if you are on a regular exercise regime and you are following a planned diet.

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• MYTH: Diabetes is a contagious disease.
• Fact: Diabetes is not contagious. Diabetes is an endocrine disease and is caused due to problem with the amounts of insulin produced by the beta cells in the pancreas. Diabetes tends to have an inherited trait that runs in families.

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• MYTH: Eating too much sugar causes diabetes
• Fact: Eating too much sugar does not cause diabetes.
• Type 1 diabetes- it is caused by a destruction of the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, which has no relation to sugar. T
• Type 2 diabetes: is the result of the body's inability to respond to insulin normally. In most cases Type 2 diabetes is genetically inherited. With you may eat sweets if you are on a regular exercise regime and you are following a planned diet.

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• MYTH: Diabetes is a contagious disease.
• Fact: Diabetes is not contagious. Diabetes is an endocrine disease and is caused due to problem with the amounts of insulin produced by the beta cells in the pancreas. Diabetes tends to have an inherited trait that runs in families.

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• MYTH: Diabetics know whether their blood sugar levels are high or low
• Fact: Your body has no means to tell you about your blood glucose levels except for testing them.  However, there are some physical symptoms (such as extreme thirst, weakness, or fatigue) if blood sugar levels are high or low. Not everyone will show symptoms when their blood glucose is too high or low. If you are feeling off you should get your blood glucose levels checked.

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• MYTH: High blood sugar levels can be normal for some people and they aren't a sure sign of diabetes.
• Fact: High blood sugar levels are never normal. Certain medications can temporarily raise the blood sugar levels in people without diabetes. But a doctor should check people who have higher than normal blood sugar levels for diabetes.

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• MYTH: It’s possible to have “mild” diabetes.
• Fact: There is nothing mild about diabetes. Either you have diabetes or you don’t. Any diabetic condition (type-1 or type-2) needs medical attention and careful lifestyle choices.

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• MYTH: Insulin cures diabetes.
• Fact: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder and diabetes is not a curable disease. Taking insulin helps in managing diabetes, but does not cure it. Insulin helps in utilizing the glucose in the body to be used for producing energy. This helps in keeping the blood sugar levels under control, but taking insulin doesn't correct the underlying cause.

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• MYTH: All people with diabetes need to take insulin always.
• Fact: All people with type 1 diabetes must take insulin injections, as their pancreases don’t naturally produce insulin. Some, but not all, people with type 2 diabetes have to take insulin with or without pills to manage their blood sugar levels as advised by their physician.

Aboriginal Peoples and Diabetes

Aboriginal People have three to five times higher rates of type 2 diabetes as compared to the general Canadian population.  Why is the Aboriginal population more at risk?  Previous to the 1950, there was hardly any diabetes among the aboriginal population.


The reasons for this are:

• Aboriginal peoples body fat tends to stay and sit in their stomach areas.
• Their traditional diet such as, wild game, fish, vegetables and fruit are not as easily accessible as they 

   previously were.
• People do not tend to hunt, fish or gather fire wood or haul water, leading to lack of exercise.

• Genetics: Aboriginal people lived off the land, and at times there would be nothing to eat enabling the

​   food to store fat easily to help provide energy.
• This capacity still exists but because of lack of healthy and affordable foods, these communities have to

​   live off of high fat, processed food, which contributes to obesity and diabetes.
 

 

Am I at risk?

• Overweight
• In-active
• Family history of diabetes
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Had one or more babies weighing over 9 pounds.
• Inability to maintain an erection
• Numbness of the feet or hands
• Heart disease

• Dark patches of skin around your
   neck
• Being thirsty often
• Having to urinate often
• Unusual weight gain or loss
• Blurry vision
• Getting infections often
• Cuts or bruises that won’t heal

**If any of these signs sound familiar, make sure to get yourself examined by your local clinic or doctor. Sometimes diabetes can have no warning signs.**

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Who can help?
• Local service provider
• Community health representative
• Registered nurse
• Friendship center
• Health outreach worker
• Diabetes education worker
• Canadian diabetes association
• Your local hospital

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How to lower your risk?

• Make healthy food choices
• Be active for 30-60 minutes a day
• Maintain a healthy weight