November Is American Diabetes Month

This November, join the American Diabetes Association in a national movement to Stop Diabetes^SM.

November is American Diabetes Month®—a time to shine a spotlight on a serious disease that leads to potentially life-threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and amputation.

This year, we need to take a bolder, more audacious approach to American Diabetes Month. Consider that:

• 24 million children and adults in the United States live with diabetes
• 57 million Americans are at risk for type 2 diabetes
• 1 out of every 3 children born today will face a future with diabetes if current trends continue

We ask you to join the American Diabetes Association in launching a national movement to Stop Diabetes – help us confront it, fight it, and most importantly, stop it.

Here’s how you can become involved:

• Share. Inspire others to join the movement by sharing your personal story. Visit stopdiabetes.com and join us on Facebook and Twitter to learn about all the exciting ways to be a part of the Stop Diabetes movement. Invite your family, friends, and co-workers to join this effort as well.
• Act. Whether you want to walk*, bike* or simply tell a friend, there will be many ways to help us build momentum for the Stop Diabetes movement.
• Learn. The American Diabetes Association has many resources throughout the country to help Stop Diabetes. If you, or a loved one, already have diabetes* or are at risk* for developing it, we can provide medical, lifestyle and motivational information to prevent this disease from taking control of your life and the lives of those around you.
• Give. Sign up with your local American Diabetes Association office to help raise money for diabetes research, federal and state advocacy and public education.

10 Natural Ways To Ease Diabetes

1. Exercise is probably the best thing you can do. It aids circulation, controls weight and helps your moods.
2. Eat more fibre from fruits, grains and cereals. Fibre helps lower cholesterol and causes the energy in food to be absorbed at a slower rate. Fibre foods are full of vitamins and minerals.
3. Eat smaller meals, more often.  It helps keep your blood sugar level.
4. Weight loss can be harder for diabetics but if you eat a healthy diet and exercise, you will eventually reap the rewards. In the meantime, you will be providing your body with good nutritious foods.
5. Take care of your teeth. You are more prone to gum disease than others are. Make sure your dental hygiene is high.
6. Check with your doctor before taking any medication, even aspirin or hay fever preparations. Your condition can be aggravated by some side effects.
7. Make sure your feet are checked several times each day. Keep them clean and dry. Regularly have your nails trimmed and inspected. You cannot afford to get any infections and due to nerve damage, you may not even be aware of a cut until it is too late.
8. Eat a diet approved by your doctor and a diabetes help group. There are foods to avoid and you need to control your blood sugar levels. These groups have plenty of good nutritious, tasty diets to follow.
9. Alcohol can add empty calories so cut back or avoid it altogether.
10. Get the whole family involved. They will benefit with the healthy diet and exercise. You can become closer by working together and the support you receive will help you cope.