Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Type 2 Diabetes - Diabetes Myths That Even Doctors Believe!

Maybe it's the lab coat. Many Type 2 diabetics look up to their family doctor or endocrinologist as some sort of diabetes oracle. Sure, they're a more reliable source of information than what you'll find in a typical Google search. However, that doesn't mean what they say it completely accurate or reliable.

Believe it or not, but many doctors aren't trained in nutrition. That's why it's a wise idea to seek out a registered dietitian or nurse that specializes in diabetic eating.

Here are diabetes myths that many doctors tell their patients everyday and are flat-out not true.

Myth #1: Stop Eating Sugar and Managing Diabetes is Easy

To doctors that treat diabetics, the "S-word" is sugar. They claim that tossing out sugar from your diet is enough to keep blood sugar under wraps. If only it was that easy.

Sure, you'd be hard pressed to find a reputable diabetes educator allowing lots of refined sugar into your diet. However, focusing on sugar while ignoring other important aspects of a diabetic diet isn't going to cut it.

It's important to take a holistic view of your disease that touches on all aspects of diet and health: carbs, protein, fat, stress, and exercise.

Myth #2: Diabetes is a Life Sentence

Like heart disease, diabetes is considered a "chronic" disease simply because when it hits you, it doesn't seem to go away. However, that doesn't mean that it won't go away with the right approach. Many studies have found that dramatically overhauling your lifestyle can actually reverse Type 2 diabetes.