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By now, almost everyone knows that a poor diet and sedentary lifestyle contributes to the risk of type 2 diabetes. Far less known by the public are some surprising, lesser-known environmental factors that can also affect diabetes and may even be the reason some people develop it. But what can be done about them?
As the national epidemic of type 2 diabetes continues, the National Stem Cell Institute (NSI) –a leading regenerative medicine clinic in the U.S.- has become increasingly concerned about the role that our environment plays in promoting this degenerative disease. The good news is that everyone has at least some amount of control in reducing the environmental risks that may trigger diabetes and diabetic symptoms. So let’s take a closer look.
All through everyone’s life, all over the world, we are exposed to thousands of chemicals, often every day. Chemicals like BPA, vehicle emissions, and plastics that can contain phthalates all find their way into our lives, our homes, and alarmingly often into our bodies.
When these “every day chemicals” are absorbed by the body, they have the potential to alter metabolic function in a significant way. Many of them can even impact the body’s hormone balance and functioning. This includes glandular functions that become susceptible to type 2 diabetes.
These household chemicals -all approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)- were purchased by households to the tune of $340 billion annually. This amounts to approximately 2.33 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). That’s in the U.S. alone. European households spend $217 billion annually. But at least Europe has tighter regulations on these endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
So, is there a connection between these numbers and alarming diabetes rates?Many U.S. experts and researchers say there is. Part of the problem points to something very wrong with the way the U.S. regulates environmental chemicals and monitors their effects on our health. Ultimately, this is a problem that must be addressed on the national level. In the meantime, each American can take pro-active steps in reducing their exposure as much as possible and the risk of these chemicals triggering diseases like diabetes.
Just to be clear: there is no argument that type 2 diabetes is primarily a product of poor diet and lack of exercise. Genetics, too, plays a role. But recent research points to there being more to the story than these established factors. Even given the well-known and accepted factors involved, the numbers just don’t add up.
For example, the International Federation of Diabetes has reported that the worldwide occurrence of diabetes totaled 415 million people in 2015 alone. It’s believed that this number will shoot to 642 million by 2040. This is in spite of continual awareness and education to get the word out about the importance of diet and exercise in the prevention and control of type 2 diabetes. Why does the increase in cases continue to grow so rapidly despite all that is being done to fight it?
