What we know about Diabetes Mellitus (Diabetes)
As per the WHO, diabetes is a chronic condition where the body has difficulty producing or using insulin, the hormone that processes sugars in the food you eat and converts them into glucose (blood sugar) to fuel the body. Types include type 1, type 2 and gestational. The incidence of diabetes is growing, with millions being affected, including populations in mid-income countries.
Read more about diabetes data and national priorities for public health and safety here.
Despite the growing concern around diabetes and associated complications today, there are positive aspects we can consider. People can enjoy fulfilling lives by managing the condition with proper monitoring, treatment, medication, dietary control, lifestyle changes, and physical activity. The first step in this direction is awareness building to dispel several common myths that can hamper diabetes management. Technological advances and ongoing research offer valuable insights and interventions that were unavailable to earlier generations.
Myth: Diabetes is only genetically inherited
Fact: The condition is not purely hereditary. Those with sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets also run a high risk for diabetes.
Myth: Type 2 diabetes is not serious
Fact: As medication is not always prescribed for those with Type 2 diabetes, many mistakenly believe it to be a mild form. The truth is that type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes and must be managed to prevent complications developing in the long run, such as a higher probability of heart attack or stroke.
Myth: Diabetics must follow a special diet
Fact: Diabetics must consume foods including ample fruit and vegetables, pulses, protein, fibre, complex carbohydrates, and low-fat dairy, which is the same balanced meal recommended for everyone else.
Myth: Those with diabetes cannot have any sweets.
Fact: Those with type 2 diabetes must certainly stay off foods loaded with sugars that make it tougher to keep glucose levels and weight under control. However, they can have an occasional sweet in moderation as long as it is not an everyday habit. This is good news for those living in India, especially, famous for diverse festivals and celebratory sweets. Have your favourite Indian sweets, etc., but only in small quantities.
Myth: Only older people get diabetes
Fact: This is another common myth around diabetes. In fact, the very first person to receive an insulin injection for treating type 1 diabetes was a 14-year-old named Leonard Thompson.
Although type 2 used to be referred to as adult-onset diabetes and occurs more commonly in older adults, diabetes (types 1 and 2) is found to start in childhood as well. Increasing obesity among children is also one of the reasons for younger people being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Myth: Those with diabetes must stay off physical exercise
Fact: On the contrary, doctors advise regular physical workouts to help regulate insulin use by the body as well as blood sugar levels.
Research shows that the intensity of physical exercise and duration impact the breakdown of blood sugar. For type 2 diabetes in particular, even putting in aerobic workouts for a week can produce positive outcomes for the long term – for instance, better blood glucose levels and insulin sensitivity.
The role of health supplements in diabetes management
While health supplements must not be used to substitute a balanced diet, they can certainly uplift the health quotient of meal plans for those managing diabetes.
Take, for instance, QNET’s Nutriplus DiabaHealth, which is a 100% natural product using a combination of herbs and plant extracts with tested-and-verified benefits for managing glucose levels. Its proprietary blend of ten ingredients includes Karela (Bitter gourd) and Jambul (Indian blackberry), both clinically proven to assist sugar absorption from blood to cells, in turn, regulating glucose. The key ingredient, Kino (Malabar kino), has an active principle molecule called ‘Epicatechin,’ proven to contain a natural insulin mimetic (NAISUMI). The remaining nine ingredients are plant extracts, which have been methodically tested and included in Nutriplus DiabaHealth for their effectiveness in blood sugar management, besides other health advantages.
Find out more about the attributes and recommended use of Nutriplus DiabaHealth, which makes it a great choice as a health supplement.
This World Diabetes Day, let’s pledge to gain awareness and work towards successfully coping with this serious yet manageable condition while enjoying the best of life’s experiences.
Also read: Why Indians Face a Higher Diabetes Risk and How to Stay in Control Naturally
