Busted! 5 Diabetes Myths Holding You Back from Freedom

A diabetes diagnosis can feel like you've been thrown into the ocean with a weight tied to your ankle. Often times a picture of a endless finger pricks and injections, never eating another piece of birthday cake, and succumbing to eventual foot amputation are parts of the diabetes story you're told. Statistics like you'll likely live 6-14 years less than non-diabetics, you have a 2-4 times higher risk of cardiovascular risk, and twice the overall risk of death.  Unfortunately, this is too often the story, but it need not be. 

The science of diabetes reversal and remission has exploded in the last several years. 
A new diagnosis is no longer a life sentence. It's a wakeup call for you to take action now and reverse the disease. 

When people who reversed their diabetes were asked what they wish their doctors had told them, the number one answer was that they could use diet and lifestyle to reverse their diabetes. If they had known this at the time of their diagnosis, most of them could have saved years of being diabetic, lethargic, and worried about the future. 

Myths and misinformation can stop you from taking control of your health to reverse the root causes of diabetes and being your blood sugar levels back to normal.   

Every day new scientific articles are published that demonstrate the power of diet and lifestyle changes in managing, and even reversing type 2 diabetes (T2D) and pre-diabetes and even improving type 1 diabetes. 

Today we're debunking five common myths to empower you on your diabetes remission journey.

Myth #1: T2 Diabetes and Pre-Rdiabetes are Life Sentences

Study after study is showing that most people can put their diabetes into remission and rejuvenate their pancreas through healthy diet and lifestyle changes. Research from the landmark Look AHEAD trial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2018 showed that intensive lifestyle modifications, including a healthy diet and exercise, could lead to diabetes remission in a significant portion of participants (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4771522/).

Pre-diabetes is a crucial early warning sign, offering a window of opportunity to prevent the progression to T2D through dietary and lifestyle changes.

Myth #2: I Can't Fight My Family History of T2 Diabetes

While family history may have an influence on T2D, it paints an incomplete picture. Genetics do play a role; some individuals are more predisposed to the condition. However, family history is more often a collection of diet and lifestyle behaviors than a genetic code written in stone when it comes to T2D. What you do influences how your genes express themselves. Don't give up! 

Myth #3: Diet and Lifestyle Changes Don't Help With Type 1 Diabetes

While type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune condition where the body doesn't produce insulin, diet and lifestyle can still be incredibly beneficial. Research published in the Journal of Diabetes Care in 2017 showed that a healthy diet and exercise routine in individuals with T1D can lead to improved blood sugar control, potentially reducing medication needs and lowering the risk of long-term complications (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0288440).

Myth #4: Carbs are the Enemy in Diabetes Management

This myth can lead to restrictive and unsustainable diets that do more harm than good. While refined carbohydrates and sugary foods can negatively impact blood sugar, complex carbohydrates from whole grains, vegetables, and legumes are essential. These foods are packed with fiber, which slows down digestion and prevents blood sugar spikes. A study published in the journal Diabetes Care in 2013 found that a high-fiber diet significantly improved blood sugar control in individuals with T2D (https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/11/2/160/2377/Dietary-Fiber-in-Management-of-Diabetes).

Myth #5: Diabetes Reversal is Just About Getting My Blood Sugar Down

This myth misses the bigger picture. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder. Blood sugar control is crucial, but it's not the only factor. The goal is to "rewire" your metabolism to function optimally. Diet and lifestyle changes can improve insulin sensitivity, rejuvenate your pancreas and liver, enhance gut health, and reduce inflammation – all factors that contribute to healthy blood sugar regulation and overall well-being.

Bonus Busted Myth:

Embracing healthy eating for diabetes doesn't mean sacrificing flavor or variety. There is a vast world of delicious and nutritious foods that help you reverse and then sustain diabetes remission. Different foods are needed for each phase. 

Yes, there are familiar foods you will need to say good be to, but like any rite of passage, once you leave the old behind, a whole new world of flavors, textures, cultural histories, and exciting foods opens up to you. 

Once you start feeling fully energized, capable and confident to fully say yes to life, there is no going back. 

Taking Control: A Step-By-Step Approach

Ready to say goodbye to diabetes? Here are some practical steps:

• Create a Positive Support System: Work with a qualified diabetes remission coach (like us) and connect with friends, family, or online communities (like ours) for encouragement and motivation.
   
• Download the Diabetes Remission Framework ebook: It will walk you step-by-step through the same process we guide our clients through.