FSB Author Article
Common Myths Prevent Diabetic Weight Loss
By Frederic J. Vagnini, M.D., FACS, and Lawrence D. Chilnick,
Authors of The
Weight Loss Plan for Beating Diabetes: The 5-Step Program That Removes
Metabolic Roadblocks, Sheds Pounds Safely, and Reverses Prediabetes and
Diabetes
Beating diabetes to shed pounds is a lot easier when you can overcome the "roadblocks" that come with the condition. Many of these are metabolic -- high blood pressure, poorly controlled lipids, glucose, insulin levels, and psychological problems including depression and family stress. Where weight loss is concerned often the most important roadblock is lack of knowledge -- myths and misunderstanding of the disease itself.
At the root of many of these "mistakes" is word-of-mouth opinion spread from one patient to another, especially on the Internet -- sort of a "viral misdiagnosis." Add to that daily confusing and conflicting media reports about medication and the validity of treatments that are popular in one place and disavowed in others. There have even been statements from "official" organizations that significantly redefine the guidelines your doctor has been using to determine whether you are pre-diabetic, or type 2 diabetic.
Take a look at a few of the myths or realities that may be hindering your ability to lose weight while keeping your diabetes in check. Here's a little self-test below to give you an idea of what you think is true or false about certain aspects of both weight loss and type-2 diabetes. Check off the following as "true or false."
| Question |
True |
False |
| 1. Diabetes is contagious. | ||
| 2.
If you are diabetic, you'll never be able to eat a chocolate bar again. |
||
| 3. Diabetics have to have special food. | ||
| 4. Pasta is a thing of the past for diabetics, too. | ||
| 5. Diabetics are frequently sick. | ||
| 6. Sugar causes diabetes. | ||
| 7. Insulin is dangerous and makes you fat. | ||
| 8. Diabetics can eat as much fruit as they want. | ||
| 9. An A1C of "8" means your diabetes is OK. | ||
| 10. Only certain kinds of diabetes are serious. | ||
| 11.
None of my siblings have diabetes so I won't have it. |
||
| 12.
Once you take medication you can live any way you want. |
||
| 13. Diabetics usually have erectile dysfunction. | ||
| 14. Type 2 diabetes is less serious than Type 1. | ||
| 15.
Everyone has a blood sugar level that is OK for them. |
||
| 16. Exercise can cure diabetes. | ||
| 17. Losing weight will also cure diabetes. | ||
| 18.
Vitamins and supplements are a waste of money for a diabetic. |
||
| 19. Diabetics should eat bananas for potassium. | ||
| 20.
Controlling your diabetes ensures that you won't have a heart attack. |
||
| 21.
You can cure diabetes, and never have it again. |
||
| TOTAL: How many did you mark as "true" or "false"? |
Here's the surprise. Every one of these twenty-one statements is false! All of them are common myths that physicians hear in the office all the time, or you hear around the dinner table, around the pool or at a party.
Some actual facts:
-
The 60 million Americans with pre-diabetes can be prevented from getting diabetes with its significant complications.
-
Lifestyle changes as well as 3 drugs have been shown to prevent the progression of pre-diabetes into diabetes. Ask your physician about a new "triple drug therapy" including Actos (thiazolidinedones), Glucophage (metformin), Byetta (exenatide) and nutritional or supplemental therapies
-
2 out of 3 individuals over 65 have diabetes or pre-diabetes.
-
Most doctors do not know the proper glucose guidelines for diagnosing pre-diabetes or diabetes
-
Most doctors are not using the proper diet or drug therapy for diabetes.
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At the time of diabetes diagnosis there has already been an 80% loss of beta-cell function.
-
There are only 2 drugs that can be used to improve beta-cell function, and they are very under used or not used at all.
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Individuals with belly fat (visceral adiposity), high triglycerides and a family history of diabetes have an 8 out of 10 chance of developing diabetes.
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Many diabetics have never heard of a common test to determine the presence of diabetes called HGA1c, (hemoglobin A1C blood level), know a proper diet or check their blood glucose levels regularly.
-
High blood glucose levels frequently are asymptomatic.
-
There is also a significant link between diabetes and heart disease: At least 65 percent of people with diabetes die from some form of heart disease or stroke. Heart disease strikes people with diabetes, twice as often as people without diabetes.
The keys to the destruction of both biological and psychological roadblocks you may have created to prevent weight loss and control diabetes is to adopt a five-step plan that begins with a proper and balanced, low glycemic diet. Add to that education about your specific condition, the correct medication and natural supplements program, and a daily exercise program that you blend into your, new, healthy lifestyle.
©2009 Frederic J. Vagnini, M.D., FACS, and Lawrence D. Chilnick, authors of The Weight Loss Plan for Beating Diabetes: The 5-Step Program That Removes Metabolic Roadblocks, Sheds Pounds Safely, and Reverses Prediabetes and Diabetes
Author BiosFrederic J. Vagnini, M.D., FACS, coauthor of The Weight Loss Plan for Beating Diabetes: The 5-Step Program That Removes Metabolic Roadblocks, Sheds Pounds Safely, and Reverses Prediabetes and Diabetes, is a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon whose understanding of the ravages of cardiovascular diseases is grounded in twenty years as a cardiac surgeon. He hosts a popular call-in radio show and has published several books, including The Carbohydrate Addict's Healthy Heart Program, a New York Times bestseller.
Lawrence D. Chilnick, coauthor of The Weight Loss Plan for Beating Diabetes: The 5-Step Program That Removes Metabolic Roadblocks, Sheds Pounds Safely, and Reverses Prediabetes and Diabetes, is the authors and creator of the New York Times bestseller The Pill Book, which has sold 17 million copies and is still in print after more than two decades. He is a publishing executive, editor, teacher, journalist, broadcaster, and author of several popular health reference books, electronic products, audiotapes, and videos.
For more information please visit http://vagnini.com and fairwindspress.com.