According to the American Diabetes Association, 18.2 million people nationwide have diabetes, however nearly one-third of them are not even aware of it.

Those with diabetes can lead healthy and happy lives by making adjustments to their lifestyles. The Sugar Control Center at 306 Main St. in Farmingdale helps diabetic individuals do just that. It is a complete, non-prescription diabetes health and resource center providing education and information related to diabetes. It has been established to meet the needs of individuals with diabetes as well as those interested in maintaining good health.

"We originally opened up for people with diabetes but then of course the Atkins, low-carb and Weight Watchers diets came out. And people were realizing that eating less sugar is better for them," owner Ira Small, a Bethpage resident, said.

The store, as well as their online catalog, carries a wide variety of sugar free, fat free and health food products. They specialize in sugar free foods, candy, gift baskets, diabetes books, diabetes supplies (blood glucose monitors, travel cases, skin creams and vitamins and herbs to aid in lowering blood sugars). Individuals with other health concerns such as hypoglycemia, elevated cholesterol levels or obesity will also find suitable items at the Sugar Control Center.

After 10 years in Bethpage, owners Ira and Doreen Small moved the store to Farmingdale. The Smalls used to conduct business with the Chocolate Duck on Main Street when the store was located in Bethpage and while visiting the store on business found the Farmingdale locale to be appealing.

"I looked around and saw that Farmingdale was a nice area where people walk around," Ira Small explained.

The Sugar Control Center is a family-run operation. Ira is in charge of the daily operation, while their daughter, Candace, an exercise physiologist, takes care of the exercise information. Doreen handles the dietary aspect of the store.

"My wife has been a diabetic nurse educator at Long Island Jewish Hospital for over 30 years and she knew that there was definitely a need for a store like this, Small explained. "I was looking for work, so I said, why open up a laundromat when you know everything about diabetes."

According to Small, the community seems to be responding well to his store, which opened in May.

"I had a lot of customers over at the Bethpage store from Farmingdale and now they just don't have to travel as much," Small said.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.

There are three major types of diabetes; Type I, Type II and pre-diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, Type I results from the body's failure to produce insulin, the hormone that unlocks the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them. Type II diabetes results from insulin resistance, combined with relative insulin deficiency. Most Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have this type. Pre-diabetes, or borderline diabetic is a condition that occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis. Over 40 million people in the United States have pre-diabetes.

Quite often diabetes goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem harmless. The early detection of diabetic symptoms can help in the long run. Some symptoms include frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability and blurry vision.

For more information on the Sugar Control Center call 800-316-0086 or visit www.sugarcontrol.com. To learn more about diabetes, visit the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org.