10 diabetes myths, busted

Everyone with diabetes hears ten of these. Here are the real answers.

1. "Eating sugar causes diabetes." Not directly. It's about total caloric load, inactivity, and genetics.
2. "Skinny people don't get diabetes." Wrong. "Thin-fat" is recognised in South Asians.
3. "Karela cures diabetes." Modestly helps. Does not cure. Sellers of cures are sellers.
4. "Insulin means you failed." Wrong. It's a tool. Beta cells naturally decline.
5. "Diabetes is curable." Type 1: lifelong. Type 2: remission, not cure.
6. "Fruits are bad." Most are fine in moderation. Avoid juices.
7. "Brown rice is much better." Marginally. Portion matters more.
8. "No food after 6pm." Time matters less than gap before sleep.
9. "Fasting is always safe." Depends on type and meds. Discuss with doctor.
10. "Once on meds, never stop." Type 2 oral meds can be reduced with sustained change.

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