As with any disease, diabetes is surrounded by a plethora of myths regarding the disease itself. The following are common myths for diabetes and a few facts to debunk them on the spot.

First Myth: You have to give up all sweets, including the well loved chocolate bar.

Myth debunked: Are you exercising and eating healthy meals catered around being diabetic? A dessert or sweet treat now and then are okay. Don’t make it a regular habit and go easy on the portion, as anyone making healthy food choices should be doing, diabetic or not.

Second Myth: Diabetes is contagious.

Myth debunked: The cause for diabetes may still be a mystery, but it is not contagious. There may be a play in genetic make up, but not the ability to catch the disease from someone else. So go ahead - hug that diabetic!

Third Myth: Don’t overdose on the carbs.

Myth debunked: Again, it’s not necessarily the type of food, but the regularity of consumption and the amount consumed. The body needs some carbs, so eat a good meal and a good meal means appropriate sized portions.

Fourth Myth: There are no boundaries on fruit intake.

Myth debunked: Fruit is a great source of fresh vitamins, minerals, and fiber, but it’s also drenched with natural sugars and carbs. It’s okay to partake, but in moderation. Ask your doctor if you’ve got concerns.

Fifth Myth: Sugar intake causes diabetes

Myth debunked: Not! It doesn’t cause diabetes, but it sure can complicate it if too much sugar is consumed. Besides, sugar will add weight quickly and excessive weight is hard on the body, plain and simple. If diabetes runs in your family, it’s even more important to watch your weight and exercise regularly.

Sixth Myth: Diabetic food is the best choice

Myth debunked: Not (again) Diabetics, like everyone, need a healthy meal plan that is low in fats. Salt and sugar should be used in moderation. Whole grains, veggies and fresh fruits are all a plus.

Seventh Myth: Life-expectancy is short.

Myth debunked: Whereas the life-expectancy of a diabetic diagnosed with childhood diabetes was not good years ago, great advances have been made for the newly diagnosed to live a long and normal life if they follow their doctor’s guidelines and treatment plan. Good news!

Eighth Myth: Once diagnosed with diabetes, life as you knew it is over.

Myth debunked: Whoever said that is behind the times. Life is different - you’ve got a disease to manage but it does not have to manage you. Live as if you believe it.

Everywhere you turn you hear about magic cures for type 2 diabetes! What do you think is behind this talk Are there people wanting to make money and they’re hoping you fall for their deal because you are looking for a quick and easy solution to your health issue It’s not bad you want a quick solution … I just don’t think there is one. You making the decision to take care of yourself, learning about diabetes and what is available, is the real cure.

In recent years much progress has been made to help people with diabetes.

1. Medications:

• a combination drug is already in use in the US, Avandia, which is metformin and rosiglitazone. Some people are already on these two separate drugs so combining them makes sense.
• amylin, a hormone secreted along with insulin in response to food intake, is being produced in synthetic form. Research shows that amylin also helps to regulate glucose levels. It is administered via subcutaneous injection.
• you will be pleased to hear there is work being done to create a form of oral-insulin which will not be broken down by digestive enzymes. At this time it is in the early stages.
• there are clinical trials at the moment where insulin is delivered via inhalation.

2. Transplanting the Pancreas:

• it’s really not that simple as our body does not like receiving someone else’s organs and it tends to destroy the foreign tissue
• the body’s immune response needs to be blocked and the drugs used raise the blood sugar levels
• often there is post-operative illness and due to a lifelong requirement for immunosuppressive medications, younger people with type 1 diabetes are usually considered.

But we need to deal with the here and now … type 2 diabetes is predominantly lifestyle related. The choices you made are really the cause of the problem. You can bring about change by losing weight and reducing your blood sugar levels. This is the magic cure:

• find a healthy diet that you don’t want to divorce, one that you will stay with
• engage in physical activity, increase your walking to start with. You could later add resistance training as they work well together. Exercise fights insulin-resistance.
• learn the basics about diabetes and why you have high blood sugar levels
• seek the help of someone you can trust

A lot of progress has been made with how to treat type 2 diabetes and this, of course, will continue. But in the end it’s your decision, no matter what drugs are available it all starts with eating less and moving more.

There’s no one diet for diabetes. General guidelines exist, such as “eat less fat and saturated fat” and “eat more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.” Your diabetes meal plan must be based on your individual needs. When it comes to what to eat and what not to eat for diabetics, advice is abundance. With so much well meaning advice from various sources, it can be difficult to determine what food you should be including as part of your diabetic diet.

Instead of what we should eat, why don’t we start with the types bad food for diabetics? Basically, a diet low in saturated fat with well controlled blood glucose levels that incorporates weight control, exercise? and fewer refined sugars is recommended. Controlling blood glucose levels with diet, and in some cases medication, is the key. I cannot express enough how important and even vital for a diabetic patient to control the optimal weight and more precisely a body fat.?The best choice for your fitness program is an enjoyable one that combines aerobic exercise with resistance plus massage, reflexology, and acupressure in one single system.?The no-impact exercise will be the best choice because it is safe for your joints!?I have some patients?who dropped the blood sugar level from 400 to under 120 by losing weight and using the therapeutic exercise.

Always check with your doctor the proper use of your medications! Also 3/4 teaspoon of Cinnamon per day for an adult can help to reduce your fasting sugar level.

For more information about proper fitness activities visit http://www.tuneup.org)