Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that causes high levels of sugar, or glucose, in the bloodstream. This happens when the body is unable to produce or use insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone created by the pancreas. Insulin acts like a set of keys that attaches to the body’s cells and allows glucose to enter where it can be used for fuel. About 11% of Americans have some form of diabetes.

Types of Diabetes

All types of diabetes can lead to high levels of sugar in the blood.

According to recent estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 37 million American adults and children have Type 2 Diabetes, the most common form of diabetes, and that number has been steadily increasing over the past years.

In addition, an alarming 96 million more individuals have prediabetes, which is diagnosed when your a1c is between 5.7 and 6.4 percent, and your fasting glucose is between 100 and 125 mg/dl.