Frequent exposure to toxic metals such as arsenic can trigger the development of type 2 diabetes, scientists have said.
Researchers from the University of Illinois Chicago have detected an association between high blood sugar and high levels of toxic metals in an individual’s urine.
More than 500 Mexican Americans living in southern Texas took part in the trial.
The participants with higher levels of arsenic in their urine were at risk of developing pre-diabetes 23 months faster than those with lower levels.
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In addition, the individuals frequently exposed to arsenic are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes 65 months earlier than those rarely exposed, the study has reported.
Senior author Margaret Weiss said: “Environmental exposures have largely been neglected as drivers of the type 2 diabetes epidemic.
“These data support using environmental policy as a new tool to mitigate the devastating burden of diabetes on individuals and society at large.”
In Starr County, Texas, toxic metals such as arsenic have been found in local groundwater, and therefore might be consumed through some foods and medicines.
During the study, each participant provided the research team with urine and blood samples.
The participants with higher levels of arsenic, selenium, copper, molybdenum, nickel or tin in their urine saw their blood sugar rise at a faster pace than those with lower levels, according to the results.
Co-author Dr Robert Sargis said: “This acceleration puts those who started with normal blood sugar levels at risk of developing prediabetes and diabetes earlier than others in their population – a worrisome trajectory.
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“In clinical medicine, time really matters. The earlier you develop diabetes, the worse the complications are.”
He added: “The longer you have diabetes, the worse the complications are. It underscores the need to engage these folks sooner in the clinic.
“Unlike genetics, environments are modifiable. There are things we can do to reduce these exposures.”
He concluded: “We need to start thinking about tools in our toolbox that we haven’t used to address the risk of diabetes, and environmental policy can be an important lever we can pull that will hopefully improve people’s lives.”
Read the study in the journal Diabetes Care.
