Diabetes Type 2 risk enhanced by 31% due to persistent pollutants
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In a groundbreaking study, researchers have found a potential link between exposure to PFAS chemicals, commonly known as "forever chemicals," and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in adults.
These chemicals, which can be found in a variety of everyday products such as cleaning products, food packaging, non-stick cookware, stain-resistant products, waterproof clothing, and firefighting foam, have been a cause for concern due to their persistent nature and potential health impacts.
The study, led by Vishal Midya, analysed medical data from 53,790 participants in a large electronic health record-linked research database called Bio*Me. The research involved a nested case-control study within a large cohort, comparing blood samples from individuals recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes to matched controls without diabetes.
The associations between PFAS exposure and type 2 diabetes risk may be due to metabolic irregularities, particularly in amino acid biosynthesis and drug metabolism. These irregularities could affect the body's ability to regulate blood sugar levels.
The study found that every increase in PFAS exposure correlated with a 31% increase in type 2 diabetes risk. Higher blood PFAS levels were linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Mir Ali, a board-certified general surgeon, commented that this study highlights how environmental exposure can contribute to diabetes risk. Ali expressed interest in seeing the extent of risk reduction in populations that reduce environmental exposure compared to those that do not.
Midya emphasised the need for replication of the study in larger samples to confirm the findings. He also suggested that the government should take steps to educate the public about the potential harms of PFAS exposure and enact policies to reduce PFAS levels in everyday products and food packaging.
PFAS chemicals do not naturally break down in a landfill and can contaminate drinking water and crops grown in soil with high PFAS content.
Diabetes is a growing issue, particularly in more industrialized countries. While diet and exercise can help reduce risk, finding other potential sources of risk, such as environmental exposure, can be another avenue to reduce risk.
Midya stated that higher PFAS levels may disrupt fat and glucose regulation in the body, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes. He also noted that there is enough literature (especially animal models) that illustrates the true causal biological effect of PFAS.
This study is one of the first to look into the effect of PFAS in a relatively healthy group of adults from NYC. It underscores the importance of understanding the potential health impacts of these chemicals and taking steps to reduce exposure.
- This study, led by Vishal Midya, suggests that exposure to PFAS chemicals could potentially contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes, a chronic disease.
- The study found a correlation between PFAS exposure and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, with every increase in PFAS exposure leading to a 31% increase in the risk.
- Mir Ali, a board-certified general surgeon, commends the study for highlighting the link between environmental exposure and diabetes risk, expressing interest in further research on risk reduction in populations with reduced environmental exposure.
- Midya emphasizes the importance of replicating the study in larger samples to confirm the findings and advocates for government action to educate the public about PFAS and enact policies to reduce their levels in everyday products and food packaging.
- PFAS chemicals, known for their persistence in the environment, can contaminate drinking water and crops, posing a threat to health and wellness, particularly in more industrialized countries where diabetes is a growing concern.
