Did you know that some of the beliefs that you have about diabetes may actually be false? Despite the Ministry of Health Singapore (MOH) initiatives to raise public awareness about diabetes, the chronic condition is still widespread in Singapore, and many people do not understand it well. Unfortunately, misinformation and misconceptions surrounding diabetes contribute to confusion about this common chronic disease. As a diabetes epidemic is currently raging in Singapore — over 400,000 Singaporeans currently have diabetes and its incidence is expected to rise — it is important for us to understand the disease better.
Diabetes (diabetes melltius) is a metabolic disorder characterised by elevated blood glucose levels. In this blog article, we provide a general guide on the prevalent myths about diabetes, shedding light on interesting facts about the prevention, diagnosis, and management of diabetes.
Prevention of Diabetes
Myth 1: A No-Sugar Diet Guarantees Protection Against Diabetes
Many people in Singapore believe in the myth that going “cold turkey” on sugar (i.e. eliminating sugar from one’s diet entirely) is a surefire way to prevent the onset of diabetes, which has a grain of truth. Consuming more than 10 teaspoons of sugar daily is indeed a major cause of elevated diabetes risk. Excessive sugar intake contributes to insulin resistance, obesity, inflammation, and strain in the pancreas, all of which increase the risk of developing diabetes. This justifies the compulsory Nutri-Grade labelling indicating the level of sugar and saturated fat in drinks to discourage people in Singapore from drinking beverages high in sugar.
Nonetheless, such a myth does not provide the whole picture as it neglects other risk factors for diabetes. Banning sugar consumption reduces rather than eliminates one’s risk of developing diabetes.
Myth 2: The Ketogenic Diet Ensures People Do Not Develop Diabetes
Another widespread misconception is that embracing a ketogenic diet, characterised by reduced carbohydrate and increased fat consumption, eliminates the possibility of developing diabetes. The ketogenic diet can help people to lose weight quickly, mitigating one of diabetes’s risk factors. In some cases, keto meals potentially help regulate blood sugar levels as well, but they are not a magical panacea for diabetes.
The high-fat keto diet can significantly increase the levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol over time, which may raise the risk of diabetes. Therefore, the keto diet is not suitable for everyone.
Takeaway
Your dietary choices should be tailored to individual needs and monitored under the guidance of doctors, as a no-sugar or ketogenic diet may not be suitable for everyone. Diabetes prevention involves adopting a holistic approach to health, such as maintaining a well-balanced diet loaded with fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, regular physical activity, and weight management.
Diagnosis of Diabetes
Myth 1: Absence of Symptoms Indicates the Absence of Diabetes
Many individuals mistakenly assume that the absence of noticeable symptoms guarantees the absence of diabetes. However, diabetes is a “silent” disease” that can remain asymptomatic, especially in its early stages, thus, you may feel perfectly well until complications happen. As such, a significant portion of people are unaware they have diabetes.
Regular health screenings, including blood glucose tests and routine check-ups, are recommended for individuals aged 40 years old and above once every 3 years. Those with risk factors, such as family history or unhealthy lifestyle habits, may need to get screened for diabetes more often.
Management of Diabetes
Myth 1: Individuals With Diabetes Cannot Enjoy Sugary Foods and Carbohydrates At All
Contrary to popular belief, individuals with diabetes can typically include sugary foods and carbohydrates in their diet, provided they practice moderation. Consuming sugary foods occasionally is acceptable for them when integrated into a nutritious eating regimen, accompanied by a physically active lifestyle and consistent monitoring of blood glucose levels. Similarly, it is not necessary to stay clear of carbohydrates entirely for patients with diabetes, as reducing carbohydrate portion size is usually adequate. For instance, as a rule of thumb, ask for half a serving of rice or noodles when eating out.
Myth 2: Bitter Gourd Juice Is a Cure for Diabetes
Bitter gourd juice is often hailed as a natural remedy for diabetes, particularly within the Indian community. According to a 2017 study published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, bitter gourd juice may be beneficial in Type II diabetes mellitus patients to lower the blood glucose level. Nonetheless, its efficacy as a diabetes treatment or cure needs to be supported by further large randomised control trials.
Takeaway
Effective diabetes management involves a multifaceted approach encompassing not only dietary modifications, but also medication, and lifestyle adjustments. If you are newly diagnosed with diabetes or have difficulty controlling it, consulting diabetes doctors (i.e. endocrinologists specialised in diabetes) in Singapore can help.
Visit Harmony Thyroid, Endocrinology and Diabetes Centre
In conclusion, dispelling common myths about diabetes is pivotal for fostering accurate understanding and empowering individuals to manage the condition effectively. By embracing evidence-based practices and seeking guidance from diabetes specialists in Singapore, people can proactively safeguard their health and well-being.
For specialised advice on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, you can book a consultation with our experienced Endocrinologist Dr Vikram Sonawane, who is the medical director of Endocrine Harmony Clinic. Not only did Dr Vikram attain a fellowship from the prestigious Mayo Clinic, but he also specialises in Diabetes Mellitus 1 and 2, as well as gestational diabetes. Therefore, he can provide recommendations tailored to your type of diabetes.
References
- bitter-truths-the-myths-and-truths-about-diabetes-and-food. www.healthhub.sg. Accessed February 8, 2024. https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/bitter-truths-the-myths-and-truths-about-diabetes-and-food
- Selvakumar G, Shathirapathiy G, Jainraj R, Yuvaraj Paul P. Immediate effect of bitter gourd, ash gourd, Knol-khol juices on blood sugar levels of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A pilot study. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. 2017;7(4):526-531. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.01.009
- Health A. Common misconceptions about the keto diet. www.activesgcircle.gov.sg. https://www.activesgcircle.gov.sg/activehealth/read/nutrition/common-misconceptions-about-the-keto-diet
- Ministry of Health. MOH | News Highlights. www.moh.gov.sg. Published August 22, 2017. https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/diabetes-the-war-continues
