Can eating sweets cause diabetes?

The common misconception is that eating sugar causes diabetes. This is not entirely true. It is the high calorie content and not the sugar that leads to insulin resistance and diabetes. When taking sweets remember that all sweets are not alike. Some have sugar alone and hence contain lesser calories and are safe to eat. Sweets containing high khoya content, ghee or oil are high in calories and hence more fattening. These sweets are more likely to result in insulin resistance in the long term leading to diabetes. Sweets are bad because of the calories contained in them.

Is diabetes insipidus same as diabetes mellitus?

Diabetes insipidus is a distinct rare condition that causes your kidneys to produce a large amount of urine whereas diabetes mellitus is a condition that causes high levels of glucose in the blood.

Do diabetes medicines help lose weight?

Yes, some medicines that are given to control diabetes help in losing body weight. The medicines that help in weight reduction are metformin, exenatide and liraglutide. These medicines not only help in controlling blood sugars but also help in achieving ideal BMI (body mass index). The weight loss that is achieved with the help of these drugs is approximately 5-7% of total body weight, which means if you are weighing 90 kgs, these medicines will help you lose 4-7 kgs of weight, over a period of 6 months.

Can people with diabetes have proteins?

Yes, people with diabetes must include proteins along with other essential nutrients to their daily diet. Proteins are one of the major energy providers among all essential nutrients. Besides, being the building blocks of the human body, proteins can be broken down to glucose to release energy. Unlike carbohydrates, the metabolism of proteins into glucose is much slower. Therefore, the release of energy usually takes a few hours after consumption. Thus, the spike in blood sugar levels might occur after a few hours when you are on a high protein diet. It is often recommended to consume about 2-3 teaspoons of proteins in the evening snacks to avert the chances of hypoglycemia.

How is bitter gourd (karela) juice helpful in diabetes?

It is rich in fiber, has a low glycemic index and has zero cholesterol. Karela is rich in vitamin C, folate, Vitamin B complex, potassium, zinc, iron and phosphorus. All these nutrients are very beneficial for people with diabetes. Karela also has lectin, which acts on cells and tissues of our body and increases their sugar intake and it also suppresses appetite by acting on the brain. It contains compounds "charantin" and "vicine", which have glucose lowering properties. It also contains polypeptide-p, which has insulin-like properties i.e. it increases glucose absorption by cells of the body and reduces blood glucose levels. These substances, either work individually or together and help reduce blood sugar levels.

Are artificial sweeteners good for people with diabetes?

No, artificial sweeteners are not good for people with diabetes. Artificial sweeteners are composed of chemicals that can cause mild to severe side effects. Since it difficult for people with diabetes to curtail the sweet taste for the rest of their lives, FDA has approved several artificial sweeteners. These artificial sweeteners contain chemical compounds like sucralose, aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame potassium, neotame, and advantame. Thus, it is better to limit the use of artificial sweeteners or avoid using them as much as you can.

What is the best dinner time for people with diabetes?

The best time for dinner, in diabetics varies from person to person depending upon the individual's daily routine. Ideal meal planning suggests that it is better to finish dinner about 2-3 hours prior to sleeping.This will prevent the liver from releasing extra glucose and assist in managing sugar levels during overnight fasting. Thus, dinner should be about 3 hours prior to sleeping. If you sleep at around 11 at night, the ideal dinner time for you is between 8-8.30. If you sleep at 10 pm, then the ideal dinner time for you is 7-7.30 pm; so you can accommodate a bedtime snack.

Wheat or jowar roti: what is better for people with diabetes?

For a person with diabetes, it is best recommended to have roti made of jowar atta (sorghum) compared to a wheat flour chappati. The high dietary fiber of sorghum is not only important for digestive, hormonal and cardio-vascular health, but also reduces the glycemic index of sorghum. Since it has a low glycemic index, which is 62 compared to that of whole wheat (72), it takes a longer time for the release of glucose in the blood. This helps in preventing spikes of blood sugar levels in diabetics. Jowar (Sorghum) is gluten-free. It is also a rich source of antioxidants therefore making it a better grain. Few of its varieties have high phenolic content which is beneficial for people with diabetes.

Can diabetes cause kidney failure?

Yes, uncontrolled diabetes can cause kidney failure. In the long run, diabetes can affect kidneys, eyes and nerves, leading to conditions called diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy and neuropathy respectively. Diabetic nephropathy is a condition which is a major cause of kidney failure in diabetics. It has been reported that 1/3 of diabetic patients suffer from diabetic nephropathy. The best way to prevent damage to kidneys is by keeping diabetes in check, making dietary changes, monitoring sugar levels regularly, getting routine blood tests done and taking prescribed medications on time.

Does eating potatoes cause diabetes?

Eating potatoes does not cause diabetes. However, eating excessive amounts of potatoes can lead to obesity in the long run when coupled with lack of activity. Obesity and a sedentary life are both leading risk factors for diabetes type 2. So indirectly, you might land up having diabetes. So, it is lack of physical activity and not potatoes that can be a risk factor for causing diabetes.

Can diabetes be cured?

Diabetes is a condition that causes changes in your blood glucose levels, which if left uncontrolled can lead to serious health complications affecting the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. However, with simple lifestyle changes and medications, one can manage their condition and lead a healthy life.

Diabetes

Written By Dr. Sakshi SharmaBDS

Reviewed By Dr. Varun Gupta

MD Pharmacology, MBBS

Last updated on: 27 Sep 2022 | 06:23 PM (IST)

Also known as Diabetes Mellitus, Hyperglycemia, High Blood Sugar

Overview

Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a long-term metabolic disorder that causes high levels of glucose in the blood. It occurs when the pancreas – which produces the hormone insulin – either fails to produce (any or enough) insulin or fails to effectively use the insulin to keep the blood glucose in control.

There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes is known as juvenile diabetes or childhood diabetes because it occurs most frequently in children and young people. Type 2 diabetes accounts for the vast majority (around 90%) of diabetes worldwide and affects people in their 20s to 80s.

If diagnosed with diabetes (fasting >126 mg/dl and/or post meal >200 mg/dl), you may need to undergo several health tests periodically. The common lab tests include blood tests and urine tests. Diabetes can be treated with lifestyle modifications, oral medications, and a few injectables. High blood glucose, if left unchecked over the long term, can cause damage to the eyes, nerves, kidneys, legs, and heart.

Diabetes requires lifelong commitment towards following a healthy lifestyle, taking medicines on time, and getting regular checkups to detect any complications.

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