Everyone knows diabetes. Those who suffer from it have to inject themselves with insulin every day and have strict dietary restrictions - right? Not quite. Time to clear up some prejudices with DW's fact check.
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In Good Shape - Diabetes
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1. You get diabetes from eating too much sugar.
Not exactly. First off, it's important to distinguish between different types of diabetes. In people with type 1, the body doesn't produce enough insulin - a hormone that allows your body to use sugar - because of a genetic disorder. With type 2, the body can't process the insulin correctly. Type 2 is the "acquired form" of the illness, which roughly 90 percent of diabetics suffer from. The causes of type 2 include inertia and being overweight, a consequence of a diet too full of fats, carbohydrates and sugar. Type 1 diabetes, by comparison, is an autoimmune disease. Sugar is not a cause at all.
2. Only people who are overweight can get diabetes.
False. Yes, the risk of contracting type 2 diabetes is twice as high for overweight people compared to people with a "regular" weight - and even three times as high for severely overweight people. But in more than a quarter of overweight people, their metabolism remains healthy. That means that other risks play a role as well, like family disposition or age.
3. Diabetes is a "lifestyle disease."
False. Cases of diabetes are increasing the world over, and in relative terms, type 1 is gaining ground on type 2. The reasons for this spike are unclear. The International Diabetes Federation and WHO count roughly 400 million cases worldwide. Eighty percent of them are in developing countries and emerging economies.
4. Only old people have diabetes.
False. Diabetes does occur among old people more often, but all age groups are affected. A 2014 study by the International Diabetes Federation determined that roughly half a million children have type 1 diabetes. Those who are afflicted by type 2 diabetes are getting younger and younger, too. The number of type 2 diabetes cases in children have multiplied by five over the last ten years.
5. Diabetics have to inject themselves with insulin every day
True and false. Type 1 diabetics must inject themselves with insulin, because their bodies can't produce insulin independently. For type 2 diabetics, this is not the case, at least not right after they're diagnosed. At first, the body can compensate for the insulin resistance by producing more of the hormone. The pancreas only slows down after many years, producing less and less insulin. At one point, insulin production can stop completely - and that's when type 2 diabetics need to inject themselves with insulin as well.
6. Diabetes can't be cured.
Half-right. People with diabetes type 1 have to rely on insulin for the rest of their lives. For type 2 diabetics, the situation is different. Being overweight and not moving enough can lead to diabetes. In turn, diabetics can basically hit pause on their illness by eating healthily and committing themselves to an active lifestyle. In this way, type 2 diabetes can be pushed back permanently or temporarily. It isn't possible to cure diabetes with medication or surgery.
Bitter truth about sugar
Sugar is tasty, but not exactly good for you. Consumption of the sugary stuff is rising, and that’s having an impact on health. The WHO has warned of a “global epidemic.” Here are a few facts you really should know.
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Sugar makes you fat!
Sugar is converted to fat in the body about two to five times more quickly than starches. In other words, when we consume sugar, we’re feeding our fat cells. The fructose in sugar is also metabolized by the liver, which can contribute to fatty liver disease. That can promote insulin resistance and lead to Type 2 diabetes – with a lifelong impact on your health.
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Sugar affects your mood!
In small amounts, sugar promotes the release of serotonin, a hormone that boosts mood. But too much sugar can promote depression and anxiety. Sudden shifts in blood sugar levels can also lead to irritability, anxiety and mood swings.
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Sugar contributes to aging!
We already know that sugar has a variety of health effects, but it also affects the skin. That’s in part due to glycation, the process whereby sugar molecules bind to collagen fibers. As a result, the collagen fibers lose their natural elasticity. Excess sugar also damages microcirculation, which slows cell turnover. That can promote the development of wrinkles, make you look older than your age.
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Sugar is harmful to your gut!
The microflora of your gut promote digestion and protect your digestive system from harmful bacteria. Consuming too much sugar gets your gut microflora out of whack. Fungi and parasites love sugar. An excess of the Candida albicans yeast can lead to a host of annoying health symptoms. And sugar also contributes to constipation, diarrhea and gas.
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Sugar can be addictive!
In overweight people, the brain responds to sugar by releasing dopamine, in much the same way that it responds to alcohol or other addictive substances. Test it yourself: avoid all sugary foods and beverages for ten days. If you start to get headachy and irritable after a day or two, and start craving sugar, then you could be suffering from sugar withdrawal.
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Sugar makes you aggressive!
People who consume excess sugar are more likely to engage in aggressive behavior. Children with ADHD are also affected by sugar. For these children, too much sugar affects concentration and promotes hyperactivity. That’s why it’s a good idea for children to avoid eating sugar during school hours.
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Sugar weakens the immune system!
Excessive sugar consumption makes it harder for the immune system to ward off disease. After consuming sugar, the immune system’s ability to kill germs is reduced by up to 40 percent. Sugar also saps the body’s store of vitamin C, which white blood cells need to fight off viruses and bacteria. Sugar also promotes the inflammatory response, and even minor inflammation can trigger numerous diseases.
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Sugar promotes Alzheimer’s disease!
Studies have shown that excess sugar consumption increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. A 2013 study showed that insulin resistance and high blood sugar values – both of which are common in diabetes – are associated with a higher risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
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Sugar increases cancer risk!
Cancer cells need sugar to proliferate. An international research team headed by Lewis Cantley of Harvard Medical School is researching how sugar might contribute to the growth of malignant cells. He believes that refined sugar may be what causes cancer cells to develop into tumors. He’s still testing that hypothesis but recommends that even slender people consume as little sugar as possible.
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Sugar makes you stupid!
Excess sugar consumption may have a negative impact on memory. According to a study carried out by Berlin’s Charité University Hospital, people with high blood sugar levels have a smaller hippocampus – the part of the brain that’s key to long term memory. In the study, people with high blood sugar also performed more poorly on tests of memory than those with low blood sugar levels.
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Eight tips for healthy kidneys
The kidneys filter blood, monitor water levels and produce hormones. Problems in any of these areas could be a sign of kidney failure. Here are eight tips on how to keep your kidneys healthy.
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Stay active!
Staying active is key to keeping blood pressure down and protecting yourself against diabetes, which is the most common cause of kidney failure. Diabetics account for some 30 percent of dialysis patients.
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Monitor your blood glucose levels!
Make sure your blood glucose levels remain stable. High blood sugar, which is associated with diseases like diabetes, damages the vessels inside the kidneys, impairing their ability to filter the blood. Healthy blood sugar levels can protect against kidney damage by allowing the vessels to do their job properly.
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Keep track of your blood pressure!
High blood pressure is the second most common cause of kidney failure. Over time, high blood pressure can cause damage to the blood vessels. To maintain healthy kidney function, blood pressure should not exceed 140/90 mm Hg. It’s important to respond to high blood pressure, sometimes even with medication.
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Eat a healthy diet!
A balanced diet including fruit, vegetables and fiber keeps your weight in check and lessens the chance of developing kidney failure. Being overweight is associated with higher blood pressure and diabetes-both of which can lead to renal failure. It’s important to keep salt consumption to a minimum too; too much salt damages the kidneys.
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Get enough fluids!
The kidneys need fluid to filter out harmful substances from the body. An ideal amount is 1.5 to 2 liters. Those who do a lot of sport may need slightly more. Too much fluid can also be problematic. The recommended allowance applies to people in good health. Dialysis patients need considerably less.
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Quit smoking!
Smoking is the primary cause of blood vessel damage, which prevents the kidneys from filtering the blood properly. As well as the many other health benefits of quitting cigarettes, your kidneys will thank you for kicking the habit too.
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Don’t take painkillers for too long!
Taking painkillers over a long period of time can damage the kidneys. People whose kidneys are already slightly damaged are particularly at risk of developing acute kidney failure after taking painkillers, even the over-the-counter variety. If you do need to take painkillers regularly, it’s best to consult with your doctor to find out about more kidney-friendly alternatives.
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Go for an annual kidney check!
That applies especially to those who fall into a high-risk category: being over 60, suffering from diabetes or high blood pressure, being overweight or having a family member with kidney failure. Your doctor will be able to detect early signs of kidney failure through a blood or urine test. Early detection is the key to successful treatment of the disease.
