A great deal of misinformation surrounds diabetes and here are 7 frequently heard diabetes myths:

%26#65533; Individuals suffering from must 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 merely eat a normal balanced diet which is low in fat and which contains only moderate levels of both salt and sugar.

%26#65533; Diabetes is a contagious condition. This is not the case. It is thought however that people who suffer from diabetes have a genetic predisposition to the disease and that it might be triggered by such things as viruses and drugs, which includes antibiotics. It is possible therefore that getting a common illness, or treating that illness with antibiotics, might lead to the onset of diabetes.

%26#65533; Diabetics are prone to colds and flu. There is no evidence to show that people with diabetes are any more 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 flu shot) because illnesses of this nature can interfere with levels of blood sugar, and therefore make the management of diabetes more difficult.

%26#65533; Taking insulin can result in high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries. Early tests lead to the belief that insulin might play a role in triggering processes that are associated with the development of hardened arteries but this has been proved to be incorrect and there is no evidence that insulin causes either high blood pressure or hardening of the arteries.

%26#65533; Consuming too much sugar can cause diabetes. In spite of the fact that the causes of diabetes are not entirely understood, it is known that excess sugar consumption is not one of them. Having said this, eating too much sugar could well lead to a person gaining weight, which is certainly a factor in increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It is however not the sugar but the increase in weight that may trigger diabetes.

%26#65533; Diabetics are not able to eat chocolate or candy. There is absolutely no reason why diabetics should not eat chocolate and candy, and indeed sweet desserts and cakes, provided these are consumed in moderation and are just one element of a normal healthy diet plan.

%26#65533; Diabetics should only eat very small amounts of carbohydrate. Carbohydrates, which are found in a range of foods including bread, beans, cereals, pasta and rice and from which the body gets much of the glucose needed for energy, are an important element of our diet, whether or not we have diabetes. These foods also contain much of our essential fiber intake. The secret for people with diabetes is simply to ensure that carbohydrates are balanced with other foods and that your food portions are kept to a reasonable size.

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

For more information on all aspects of diabetes including such things as type 2 diabetes symptoms and diabetes recipes please visit Diabetes-Treatment-And-Cure.com

Are your feet itching and burning? Maybe you have Athlete’s Foot. Athlete’s foot is an infection of the upper layers of the skin and is predominantly found on the foot. It is often seen as an dry, itching, burning, scaling redness of the feet especially in the webbing of the toes. When left unchecked, sufferers may notice that their skin peels frequently and in extreme cases there may be cracking, pain and bleeding of the skin.

While commonly associated with the foot, athlete’s foot can also give rise to skin disorders such as jock-itch. It is caused by the overgrowth of certain types of fungus, including trichophyton, the ringworm fungus or the tinea pedis fungus, each of which can be easily transmitted from one person to the other upon contact. This contagious condition thrives in warm, moist environments and without the proper growing conditions; it will not survive at all.

Athlete’s foot is often transmitted when we walk around barefoot at public pools or in public showers, in locker or changing rooms, in home bathrooms, especially in the shower. It can also thrive in individuals who’s feet sweat excessively, who wear the same shoes without allowing them to fully dry out or when the feet are not dried thoroughly before covering them. Interestingly, this disorder is seen more often in teenagers and adult males.

In health circles, it is generally believed that prevention is the best course of action to take. If however, you do end up with a case of athlete’s foot, there are a number of natural and alternative health remedies you can employ.

Recommendations For Wellness

Avoid all yeast containing foods: yeast breads, fermented beverages (beer, wine, brandy, scotch, etc.) moldy cheeses, fermented vinegars, salad dressing, peanuts, biscuits, canned citrus fruit juices, cake mix, ice cream, all dried fruit, oranges, pickles, tomato sauce, sugars, yeast powder, processed and smoked meats, malt products, barbecue sauce, olives, mayonnaise, and chili peppers.

Avoid sugar (especially hidden sugars such as those found in soft drinks, pastries, canned fruits and vegetables), artificial sweeteners, and all refined carbohydrates.

Supplementation with a probiotic such as acidophilus can help to restore the good bacteria in the body and help protect you from infection.

If you are at the gym or at a public pool, wear sandals in the locker room, in the shower and in the pool area.

Wear cotton socks and if your feet tend to sweat, change them often, making sure you dry your feet well before putting on a fresh pair.

Sprinkle baking soda on your feet before putting your socks on to help absorb moisture.

When the weather is hot and humid, go barefoot or in sandals whenever possible.

Be sure to air your shoes out at night to allow any moisture in them to evaporate. If possible don’t wear the same pair of shoes every day.

A tincture of black walnut can be applied directly to the affected areas of the feet and toes to help kill the fungus.

Lemon balm, rosemary or a mixture of lavender oil and tea tree oil can be used externally to help eradicate the infection.

Herbs such as goldenseal, pau d’ arco, olive leaf extract or garlic can be taken internally to help heal the infection. They can also be applied externally the affected areas or by soaking the feet in a herbal bath made from these substances.

Some experts recommend adding grapefruit seed extract to your wash, especially when you are cleaning your socks, gym clothes, bath mat or towels.

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