Myths about "Sugar"


If you live in Charleston, South Carolina, you know what Black folks mean when they talk about their “sugar.” And of course you know that “sugar” is diabetes. In Charleston, diabetes is as high as any place in the country. As a physician who often gets a great kick out of what people say and do, I thought it would be funny to some and educational to others to share with you what people say about diabetes - the most prevalent medical problem that I see in my practice. Here are some very common patient statements:

1. Folk who have sugar are the best people to give you information about “sugar.”

2. If you are taking medication (the pill) and your sugar is out of control then you need to be taking more diabetic pills.

3. Being placed on insulin is a bad thing.
Foods from the supplement store will cure or make “sugar” better.

4. Grapefruit juice and vinegar will burn fat.
Diet soda and sweet tea are ok to drink if you have “sugar.”

5. Exercise is only good for some people with “sugar.”

6. Since my Mommy and Daddy had “sugar” it will skip my generation.

7. “Sugar” in most cases can’t be prevented so I may as well accept it.

8. My heart attack had nothing to do with my “sugar.”

You should know that all of these statements are false. Please share this information with your family and friends and if you have “sugar,” learn how to keep it under control. Take care of yourself and don’t let “sugar” control you. I am Dr. Thaddeus J. Bell --- Closing the Gap in Health Care.


Bell Update Volume 2, Chapter 30
Copyright August 2007