7 Common Diabetes Myths

There is a great deal of misinformation surrounding diabetes and here are 7 common diabetes myths:

1. Diabetics cannot eat candy or chocolate. There is no reason at all why diabetics should not eat candy and chocolate, and indeed cakes and sweet desserts, providing these are eaten in moderation and are just one element of a normal healthy diet plan.

2. Eating too much sugar can cause diabetes. Despite the fact that the causes of diabetes are not completely understood, it is known that excessive sugar consumption is not one of them. This said, eating too much sugar could well lead to an individual gaining excessive weight, which is certainly a factor in increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It is however not the sugar but the excess weight that you are carrying that may trigger diabetes.

3. Diabetes is contagious. There is no truth in this at all. It is thought however that diabetes sufferers have a genetic predisposition to the disease and that it may be triggered by such things as viruses and drugs, including antibiotics. It is possible therefore that contracting a common illness, or treating that illness with antibiotics, could lead to the onset of diabetes.

4. Diabetes sufferers are required to eat a special diabetic diet. So called "Diabetic" versions of some foods which are commonly sold in health food stores are nothing more than a marketing ploy. Diabetics should simply eat a normal balanced diet which is low in fat and which contains moderate levels of both salt and sugar.

5. Diabetics should only eat very small amounts of carbohydrate. Carbohydrates, which are found in a range of foods including beans, bread, cereals, pasta and rice and from which the body gets much of the glucose required for energy, are an important part of our diet, whether we are diabetic or not. They also contain much of our essential fiber intake. The secret for diabetics is simply to ensure that carbohydrates are balanced with other foods and that portions are kept to a reasonable size.

6. Diabetes sufferers are prone to catching colds and flu. There is no evidence to show that people with diabetes are any more or less likely than anybody else to catch a cold or flu. Diabetics must however try their best to avoid such illnesses (for example by having an annual flue shot) because illnesses of this nature can interfere with levels of blood sugar, and thus make the management of diabetes more difficult.

7. Taking insulin can lead to high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries. Early tests suggested that insulin may play a role in triggering processes associated with the development of hardened arteries but this have proved to be incorrect and there is no evidence that insulin causes either high blood pressure or hardening of the arteries.

The list of myths associated with diabetes of course goes on and on, but the 7 listed here are possibly the most commonly heard and, in time, will hopefully be put firmly to rest.

For more information on all aspects of diabetes including such things as the cause of diabetes and diabetes treatment please visit Diabetes-Treatment-And-Cure.com

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Outdoor Living - Investing Beyond 4 Walls

When you hear the term "Outdoor Living" what is the first thing that pops into your mind; picnic tables, plastic mismatched chairs and the smell of burgers cooking on the hibachi. For many living outdoors confines them and their thoughts to a small patio area with a couple of old plants and their college patio furniture. In today's world outdoor living means pushing out the walls and extending the living space to include the outdoors way beyond the patio.

As the real estate market fluctuates, homeowners look to remodel their homes and include projects to create outdoor livings spaces for optimum comfort and pleasure. With billions spent on remodeling in the US alone after upgrading the kitchen and bathrooms, upgrading the outside of a home comes in third on the project list. By taking advantage of your backyard and extending the living and entertaining areas, not only increases living space, but also helps raise the property value.

It is amazing how many things used indoors now can also be used outdoors as well!

Components for Creating an Outdoor Living Environment:

The Outdoor Kitchen - this type of cooking appliance can be a simple BBQ to a complete built in gas bar-b-que including the sink for clean up and refrigerator for the cold beer and beverages.

Patio Furniture - the focal point of many outdoor patio areas is the furniture. Outdoor dining tables and chairs cover the range of simple inexpensive plastic chairs and tables to metal and teak outdoor dining furniture. The selection and price range is wide as I have been looking for some sling style chairs for my patio.

Heating - as you move northward the use of your outside area can be reduced from cooler temperatures. However, outdoor fireplaces, firepits and patio heaters can solve the cool issue and extend our outdoor season later into the fall or crank it spring earlier in the year. Light adds a wonderful ambiance and it does not need to only come from a fire the use of landscape lighting can do the trick.

Covering the Patio - the blazing summer sun can turn a fun outdoor party into a place everyone wants to get away from. A partially covered area where the cooking and dining areas are located creates a wonderful shaded retreat from the boiling sun and unexpected weather which can pop up. Decks are also a popular way to dress up a patio along with adding interesting stones, rocks, planters and flowers to create drama.

Remember these items are basics to get a list started, personal style, budget and family needs must also come into play. The only true design limits or restriction is the wallet and imagination. The above items get you started, adding a pool, waterfall and landscaped areas only add to the overall outdoor living space making it more inviting. Projects do not need to happen all at once but build over time. The true benefit is that whatever and however you choose fits you and your living style.

Extend your landscape using outdoor landscaping lights Join Thomas Fryd as he shares his 25 plus years of experience in the world of plants and landscape at www.Plant-Care.com where you get practical professional advice on landscaping and houseplant care.

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