Facts and myths about diabetes, associated with increased risk for COVID-19-related mortality Dr. Hong Jun-hwa, Professor of Endocrinology at Daejeon Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University

The term that was used most often in combination with “COVID-19 deaths” or “COVID-19 mortality” was “underlying health condition.” This was because the vast majority of people who died from the infectious disease were found to have an underlying illness. Each person had three medical conditions, on average, with two out of every three people suffering from hypertension and a half from diabetes.
This has triggered people’s interest diabetes. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition that most people are familiar with and get easily tested for, as there are many places including public offices and financial institutions that are equipped with blood pressure monitors, with the ideal blood pressure quantified as 140/90. In the case of diabetes, on the other hand, one must undergo a blood or urine test to be diagnosed. Also, some people immediately think of “sugar” when it comes to diabetes and believe that it is a disease resulting from overconsumption of sugary foods.

So let’s learn the facts and myths about diabetes from Dr. Hong Jun-hwa, Professor of Endocrinology at Daejeon Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University.

Q1. Can you develop diabetes by overindulging on sugary foods?

Contrary to the popular belief that diabetes result from consuming too much sugar or sweet food, sugary food isn’t a direct cause of diabetes.
Glucose is the most important fuel out of various types of nutrients that the human body needs to sustain vital activities. Glucose obtained from food gets transported via the bloodstream to muscles, fat, the brain and other important organs where it is needed, and a hormone that plays a crucial role in this process is insulin. When insulin is insufficient or ineffective, it leads to diabetes.

Glucose isn’t our enemy; it is an essential source of energy. Using this source of energy appropriately according to the body’s needs is the fundamental part of managing diabetes. Diabetes treatment involves regulating the blood glucose level as a way to prevent complications.

Q2. Is diabetes hereditary?

Just because the parent(s) have diabetes, it doesn’t mean that there will be a 100% chance that the child will develop diabetes. If one of the parents is diabetic, there is 15% chance that the child will be diabetic, and if both parents are diabetic, the probability increases to about 30%. In other words, although genetics does play a role, it does not get passed on from one generation to the next, like the color of the skin, for example. However, if there is someone with diabetes in your family, it is recommended that you take better care of your health than the average person.

Q3. Are skinny people immune to diabetes?

Obesity is one of the major causes of diabetes. However, in many countries in Asia that have undergone dramatic economic growth, the prevalence of diabetes is rising rapidly due to Westernized diet and overnutrition, irrespective of obesity. In the case of Koreans, for instance, their bodies secrete less insulin than Westerners, and thus cannot handle the excess supply of nutrients, which in turn creates a perfect condition to develop diabetes.

Q4. Can diabetic patients eat only multi-grain rice?

This is the most common misconceptions about diabetes. When it comes to polished rice or barley, there is not much difference between the calories and mechanisms of action one they are digested in the stomach. Mixed grains are recommended because they help reduce the chance of overeating and contain more fiber and slightly more vitamins than polished rice. If you do not particularly like barley or other multi-grains, then it’s better to eat a moderate amount of polished rice.

Q5. Is sugar off-limits?

There are people who say that diabetic patients should never consume any table sugar or sugary food, but this is not true. Although it is true that table sugar and sugary food increase the blood glucose level, this does not mean that they are completely off-limits. As long as the amount of sugar consumed is regularly properly, it is safe to eat.
What should be cut out from a diabetic’s diet are galbi (ribs), samgyeopsal (pork belly), sausages, etc. that contain a lot of fat. This is because these foods are high in calories relative to their weight/volume.

Q6. Are diabetics not required to visit a doctor regularly, as long as they are asymptomatic?

Blood sugar monitors for home use can make diabetic patients believe that they do not need to visit a hospital to have their blood glucose levels checked, but the result may actually be lower than it actually is. It is important for diabetic patients to have their blood sugar levels examined at a hospital on a regular basis to check the accuracy of their home monitors and also have their glycated hemoglobin checked.

Q7. Is it impossible to quit taking diabetes medications once you start?

There are people who refuse to take medications because they are afraid that they won’t be able to stop taking them or that they will suffer from side effects. So is it impossible to quick taking diabetes medications once you start? This is not true. When you receive proper treatment, you can maintain your blood sugar at normal levels even without medication. Remember, you may experience one side effect from the medication, but you will be obtaining ten different benefits from regulating your blood sugar levels.

Q8. Are diabetic patients not allowed to exercise?

Exercise helps regulate the blood sugar level, lower the risk of complications, and even help manage weight. Note, however, that a strenuous workout can pose a risk of low blood sugar for diabetic patients. Thus, the type of exercise, level of intensity, frequency and so on should be determined based on your individual health condition and your doctor’s opinion.

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