November Is About Education
Diabetes Awareness Month is a global movement to educate, support and raise awareness for those affected by diabetes. 14th November is the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, one of the co-discoverers of insulin, and it now marks World Diabetes Day. This date symbolises both the progress made in diabetes care and the ongoing need to promote awareness and education around lifestyle changes that can prevent Type 2 diabetes and improve the wellbeing of those living with the condition.
Why Diabetes Awareness Is So Important
Raising awareness and educating communities can make a life-changing difference. Many still don’t fully understand the gravity of this condition and how to prevent it from developing. People living with diabetes often express feeling dismissed by doctors and live with a daunting fear that their lives will never be pain-free again. However, there is hope. While diabetes has no cure, with the right lifestyle changes, it’s possible to put Type 2 diabetes into remission, improve quality of life, and reduce the risk of further complications.
Early detection saves lives
Type 2 diabetes is caused by lifestyle and genetic factors, developing slowly and going undiagnosed for years. NHS data shows that over 5.6 million people are now living with diabetes in the UK, and an estimated 1.3 million have Type 2 diabetes without knowing it. Understanding the signs and risk factors can improve long-term health outcomes significantly.
Awareness drives prevention
Lifestyle plays the biggest role in reducing risk. Choosing low-carb foods, managing blood glucose levels, maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, reducing stress and prioritising quality sleep can all dramatically decrease the chances of developing Type 2 diabetes.
If diabetes is undiagnosed or poorly managed, the risk of complications (such as heart disease, kidney disease, vision loss and neuropathy) rises sharply. According to the World Health Organization, diabetes is the direct cause of several million deaths and contributes to even more via high glucose, kidney disease and cardiovascular events. Awareness campaigns help people make informed choices which can prevent, delay and manage Type 2 diabetes.
Awareness influences change
As with any topic, public awareness drives funding for research and healthcare resources. The more people talk about it, the more we see changes and progress to improve the lives of those living with diabetes.
The History of Diabetes Awareness Month
World Diabetes Day was established in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in response to the growing health crisis caused by diabetes. In 2006, the United Nations officially recognised 14 November as an international observance.
Over time, the movement expanded into a full month of awareness each November, giving organisations and individuals the chance to share resources and support initiatives.
The blue circle became the global symbol of diabetes awareness. It represents unity and shared commitment to improving lives.
The Realities of Living With Diabetes in the UK
- In England alone, more than 3.3 million people are officially diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and over 270,000 with Type 1. Similar percentages of the population of Wales, Scotland and Ireland are equally affected.
- Around one in five adults in the UK now has either diabetes or pre-diabetes.
- People from South Asian, African, Afro-Caribbean and Indigenous South American backgrounds are up to four times more likely to develop diabetes. Sources: NHS Digital, The King’s Fund, Diabetes UK
Managing diabetes often starts with lifestyle changes and the most effective foundation is adopting a low-carbohydrate, higher-fat way of eating. Studies have found that reducing carbohydrate intake can significantly improve blood glucose levels, reduce medication dependency and enhance quality of life for people with Type 2 diabetes.
This lifestyle shift takes commitment, but it’s one of the few proven ways to manage and in many cases put Type 2 diabetes into remission. We understand that changing how you eat isn’t always easy, which is why Low Carb Food Co’s mission has always been to make healthier living accessible. By offering everyday staples like low-carb breads, pasta and other alternatives, we aim to reduce the friction in this transition and help people live better without feeling deprived.
Besides changes in diet, other changes are important for long-term diabetes management:
- Gentle physical activity such as walking or cycling supports insulin sensitivity and overall wellbeing.
- Prioritising good sleep helps the body recover and maintain hormonal balance.
- Managing stress through mindfulness, time outdoors or relaxation techniques can lower glucose spikes triggered by cortisol.
Why Low-Carb Works
When we eat carbohydrates, the body breaks them down into glucose, which enters the bloodstream. The pancreas then releases insulin to move that glucose into our cells for energy. However, when carbohydrate intake is consistently high over time, the body can become less responsive to insulin, a condition known as insulin resistance. This is one of the core drivers of Type 2 diabetes.
By reducing carbohydrates, we reduce the amount of glucose entering the bloodstream. This means the body needs to produce less insulin, giving insulin sensitivity a chance to improve. Many studies now show that lowering carbohydrate intake can help stabilise blood sugar, reduce medication dependence, and in many cases support remission of Type 2 diabetes. In other words: less glucose in → less insulin needed → more stable blood sugars and better long-term health.
Supporting Diabetes Awareness Month
Making a difference doesn’t always mean a grand gesture. Small actions add up. Here’s how you can help:
- Learn the symptoms: Common signs include fatigue, excessive thirst, blurred vision and frequent urination.
- Get tested: Speak to your GP about a blood glucose diabetes screening if you’re over 30 or in a higher-risk group, such as people with genetic predisposition and from certain ethnic backgrounds mentioned earlier in this article.
- Support awareness campaigns and local community groups that provide education and peer support.
Moving Forward Together
For many people, receiving a diabetes diagnosis can feel overwhelming. There may be worry about the future, guilt or frustration if past attempts to get help felt dismissed or minimised. It’s also common to feel scared, especially if loved ones have experienced complications from diabetes.
It’s important to recognise that this is not a personal failure. Diabetes is heavily influenced by genetics, environment, access to information and cultural norms around food. The goal of awareness isn’t to blame, but to empower, to give people the tools and understanding they need to take back control of their wellbeing.
Diabetes Awareness Month reminds us that daily choices matter. Small, consistent dietary and lifestyle changes can transform health outcomes across generations.
Sources and Further Reading
- NHS England: Millions of people have diabetes – but how much do you know about it?
- World Health Organization (WHO): Diabetes – Key Facts and Global Impact
- The King’s Fund: The health of people from ethnic minority groups in England
- International Diabetes Federation (IDF): World Diabetes Day
- Wikipedia: World Diabetes Day
- NHS Digital: Statistics on Diabetes – England
- Diabetes UK: Diabetes in the UK – Key Statistics
- World Health Organization: Global Report on Diabetes, 2021
- Low and very low carbohydrate diets for diabetes remission: BMJ 2021;373:n262
