Are You At Risk For Diabetes? Find Out! Get Involved With the American Diabetes Assocation Now: November Is “American Diabetes Month”

It’s November again, and that means it’s time to talk about diabetes and and to get you, members of the public, to learn more about the disease and risks associated with it.

Indeed, November is American Diabetes Month, and every time this year, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) encourages you to educate yourself about this disease, participate in fundraising activities, and more.

The ADA reminds you (and I’m quoting here) that: :

  • Diabetes is America’s number one health threat in our country today.
  • Nearly 21 millions adults and children have diabetes.
  • One-third of them (6.2 million) don’t know they have the disease.
  • 1 in 3 Americans born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime in nothing is done to stem the tide.
  • Diabetes kills more people than breast cancer and AIDS combined.
There are a lot of things you can do this month:

Now get ready to learn some alarming worldwide facts about diabetes that the ADA provides. The organization points out (again I’m quoting here) that:

  • Worldwide 1 person dies from a diabetes-related cause every 10 seconds.
  • Since the turn of the millennium, the number of people with diabetes has more than doubled and the consequences are severe.
  • More than than 3.5 million deaths per year are caused by diabetes — equal to the amount of deaths caused by HIV/AIDS — however the United Nations has yet to recognize World Diabetes Day.

Again, I urge you to take action now. Here’s a quick way to e-mail important legislators to urge them to designate November 14 as World Diabetes Day.

If you’re still in the dark about this potentially deadline disease, here’s a quick description of it from the ADA:

"Diabetes is a serious disease that affects the body’s ability to produce or respond properly to insulin, a hormone that allows blood glucose (sugar) to enter the cells of the body and be used for energy. Nearly 21 million children and adults in the U.S. have diabetes. It is the fifth deadliest disease in the U.S. and it has no cure."

While I heartily applaud the ADA’s wonderful work and I’m a huge proponent of this worthwhile organization’s efforts, I am disappointed by the group’s comment that the disease "has no cure." You see, I feel that the ADA is doing a misservice to people by that description, because it conveys a tone of pessissism that I don’t feel is necessary.

Because, as you’ve probably heard by now, considerable research shows that you could prevent or manage type 2 diabetes (which accounts for most diabetes) if you make substantial lifestyle changes such as exercising regularly, losing weight if you’re overweight or obese, cutting out or cutting back on culprit carbs, and closely monitoring your blood sugar levels.

Indeed, as I’ve pointed out many times previously on this SUGAR SHOCK! Blog and as I explain in my upcoming book SUGAR SHOCK!, monitoring your intake of these sweets and fast-acting carb foods such as white rice and mashed potatoes could help you peel off those pounds, cause less swings to your blood sugar levels, decrease your risk for diseases like diabetes, etc.

But please note: Although I’m dismayed by that one ADA statement, I’m still a really big fan of this organization. In fact, I’d like to heartily applaud the ADA for joining forces with Gold’s Gym to Fight Diabetes With Fitness.

This looks like an absolutely fabulous program! In fact, I urge you to check out the press release about this strategic partnership. And get info here to help you start an exercise program.

So, in honor of National Diabetes Month, I encourage you to give the ADA your full support and get involved. Again, I urge you to:

Please spread the word about American Diabetes Month.