American Diabetes Month is observed every November and sponsored by the American Diabetes Association, so individuals, health care professionals, organizations, and communities across the country can bring attention to diabetes and its impact on millions of Americans.

American Diabetes Month educates that diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. It can cause blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, and other health problems if it is not controlled. One in 11 Americans has diabetes, more than 29 million people. Another 86 million adults in the United States are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

According to the American Diabetes Association, 1.25 million Americans have type 1 diabetes and 40,000 people will be diagnosed with it this year. Type 1 diabetes occurs at every age, in people of every race, and of every shape and size.

In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. The body breaks down the carbohydrates you eat into blood sugar that it uses for energy, and insulin is a hormone that the body needs to get glucose from the bloodstream into the cells of the body. With the help of insulin therapy and other treatments, people can learn to manage their condition and live long healthy lives.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, and it means that your body doesn’t use insulin properly. While some people can control their blood sugar levels with healthy eating and exercise, others may need medication or insulin to help manage it.

A key part of managing type 2 diabetes is maintaining a healthy diet. Work to find helpful tips and diet plans that best suit your lifestyle, and how you can make your nutritional intake work the hardest for you.