Sugar and Diabetes

Sugar Diabetes

Easy-to-understand introduction to Sugar Diabetes, also known as Diabetes mellitus. Topics include description, symptoms, cause, diagnostic tests, treatment, complications, and similar conditions.

eCureMe.com

Sugar does not cause Diabetes!

"If you have diabetes, you do need to watch your sugar and carbohydrate intake to properly manage your blood sugar level with the help of your Registered Dietitian. However, if you do not have diabetes, sugar intake will not cause diabetes. So far, a diet high in calories, being overweight, and an inactive lifestyle are the main risk factors for Type 2 diabetes.

"A study published in Diabetes Care (April 2003) re-confirmed that sugar does not cause diabetes. In this study, researchers analyzed data on nearly 39,000 middle-aged women, all of whom completed a 131-item food questionnaire. Six years later, there were 918 cases of Type 2 diabetes reported. Researchers found no definitive influence of sugar intake on the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes."

Healthcastle Nutrition Services

How frequently should I be checking my blood glucose at home?

"Patients and their physicians should work out an individualized testing program that works well for them. For patients who are not on insulin, Joslin clinicians still encourage daily blood glucose monitoring at least twice a day. Patients on insulin should be checking their blood glucose at least four times per day, (before meals and at bedtime)."

Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard University

Diabetes and Blood Sugar Testing

"Blood sugar testing is important in order to find out if your blood sugar is where it should be. If your blood sugar is too low or too high, you may need a change in your diabetes medication, diet, or exercise plan. If a change is needed, your doctor or nurse will give you instruction on what you should do."

Department of Nursing Services and Patient Care, University of Iowa

Blood Sugar and Diabetes Complications

"Studies have recently shown that overall good control of blood sugar in diabetes does correlate with decreased incidence of diabetic complications. So, the answer is yes, it is important to control glucose levels as best as possible. In Type 1 diabetics who are on insulin and in some Type 2 diabetics, efforts to have control too tight may result in too many episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Therefore, the goal is to balance trying to have control as near normal as possible while trying to avoid hypoglycemic episodes."

Endocrine Web and the Norman Endocrine Surgery Clinic

Sugar and Diabetes

"Sugars and other carbohydrates do not cause diabetes." "Carbohydrates are the main power source for your brain and muscles. Chosen wisely, carbohydrate-rich foods — whole and enriched grain foods, fruits, vegetables, beans — deliver more than energy. They also provide important vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients."

American Dietetic Association

The Diabetes Food Pyramid: Sugar

"Research studies show that, gram for gram, sugars, like table sugar, do not raise blood glucose any more quickly than do other carbohydrates, like potatoes, rice or pasta.

"If and when you choose to eat sweets, according to your individual diabetes and nutrition goals, substitute these foods for other carbohydrates in your meal plan.

"Prioritize your personal diabetes goals. Which comes first -- blood glucose control, weight loss, or lower blood fats. Your priorities dictate how you strike the balance with sugars and sweets."

American Diabetes Association