Alarming Diabetes Threat Discovered By German Scientists

Dear Living Well Daily Reader,

Diabetes threats are seemingly everywhere.

From the sugar-laced foods in the grocery store to the genes that created you — it seems like you just can’t escape the imminent threat of becoming diabetic.

So you do what you have to do to stay healthy… you eat right and exercise regularly.

But as it turns out, passing on dessert and hitting the gym won’t provide much breathing room between you and the latest diabetes risk …

You see, this latest culprit is literally everywhere… it’s in the air.

--Diabetic Dangers

A new study from Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, a German research center for environmental health, has linked diabetes risk to two types of air pollution — particulate matter and nitrogen oxide. Both are byproducts of transportation, power production, manufacturing and other factors of an industrialized life and can lead to increased levels of insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance happens when the cells in your body don’t properly respond to insulin. In turn, your body is unable to absorb sugar from your bloodstream, which increases your blood sugar levels. If left unchecked, insulin resistance can lead to both prediabetes and full-blown diabetes.

For the study, the researchers tracked the blood glucose levels and other diabetes markers of roughly 3,000 people living in and around the Augsburg, Germany, area. At the same time, they also monitored the levels of particulate matter and nitrogen oxide where the participants lived.

And what they found next was astonishing…

For every 7.9 microgram per cubic meter increase of particulate matter, the risk of insulin resistance shot up a whopping 15 percent!

However, what was more shocking — for folks who were already diagnosed as prediabetic, the risk increased by almost 50 percent, even after they factored for other serious risks like smoking and obesity.

This means for folks who are already predisposed to being diabetic, air pollution can increase your risk by a massive 50 percent, regardless of your weight or habits.

While it’s unclear to the scientists exactly why air pollution can so greatly impact your blood sugar, they think it could be caused by increased inflammation and oxidative stress.

--One Way to Breathe Easy

Air pollution — more specifically, particulate matter — has been linked to other health issues like obesity, autism, cognitive decline and even heart disease.

In fact, because these tiny particles can get deep into your lungs, and even into your bloodstream, they can also trigger devastating symptoms like heart attack, aggravated asthma, irregular heartbeat and decreased lung function.

While this study took place in a relatively urban setting, due to wind patterns, air pollution can also affect the health of folks in rural areas. The bottom line is you’re going to be exposed, regardless of where you live. This means you need to protect yourself from fine particulate matter in your home.

One way to do this is with a quality air purifier.

Some air purifiers use HEPA filters to drastically reduce the levels of fine particulate matter in your home — HEPA filters can filter out particles as tiny as 0.3 microns. This means the filter can reduce your exposure to these diabetes-linked particles.

In fact, one study shows that HEPA filters can reduce the overall level of indoor fine particulate matter by 40 percent.

Another important feature to look for in an air purifier is an activated carbon filter. These filters can remove impurities and contaminants and is some cases can remove up to 99.97 percent of airborne contaminants when coupled with a HEPA filtration system.

I’ve recently invested in an air purification system for my home, and I’m now breathing easy. The air in my home is fresher, and I can already feel difference in my energy and overall well-being. Not to mention, I might just be lowering my risk of developing diabetes.

If you’re looking for air purification system, be sure to choose one that offers both HEPA and activated carbon filtration.

Live well,

Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily

Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: nmoore@lfb.org – and click here to like us on Facebook.


Sources

[1] Association Between Long-Term Exposure to Air Pollution and Biomarkers Related to Insulin Resistance, Subclinical Inflammation and Adipokines

[2] Prediabetes and Insulin Resistance

[3] Urban Air Pollution and Increased Mortality Rates

[4] Alexapure Breeze Energy-Efficient HEPA + IonCluster Air Purification System – White

Natalie Moore

Written By Natalie Moore

Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.

View More Free Articles

Harness the Forgotten Superpower of Boredom

From the moment we crawl out of bed in the morning until we hit the hay again at night, we’re bombarded with stimulation. With screens everywhere, including in our pockets, we’re surrounded by entertainment. But with constant notifications and endless scrolling, we’ve forgotten how to be bored. In fact, most of us avoid it at...

Read This

The Forgotten Nutrient That May Save Your Memory

Some nutrients, like vitamin D and vitamin C, get all the attention. But almost no one’s talking about vitamin K. However, this overlooked nutrient could be key to preserving your memory as you age. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition suggests vitamin K plays a critical role in keeping your brain sharp well...

Read This

Mailbag: The "Natural Navigator" Method for Finding Your Perfect Doctor

“I would like to know what questions are the best to ask when looking for a new naturopathic practitioner? How do I find the best naturopathic endocrinologist for my needs? Is it OK to see your naturopath virtually?” —Natural Navigator Hi Navigator, You’re asking some brilliant questions about finding the right naturopath (or, really, any...

Read This

Study Reveals How Diabetes "Hijacks" Your Brain's Memory Center

The damage uncontrolled diabetes can do—from your eyes to your kidneys—is well known. But now, alarming new research shows it could also be damaging your brain in ways we never imagined. In fact, researchers have found that type 2 diabetes may “rewire” the brain in ways eerily similar to early Alzheimer’s. Here’s what you need...

Read This

Weird Tea Trick Calms Your Mind While Boosting Focus

You know the drill… If you want to feel more alert, coffee gives you the jolt you need. But when it’s calm that you seek, chamomile tea soothes you to sleep. But what if you could drink a beverage that can do both at the same time? A natural compound found in certain teas offers...

Read This

Can't Shake Negative Thoughts? Check Your GUT First

Everyone struggles sometimes to stay positive or see the bright side of things. It’s part of being human. You might think those negative thoughts start in your brain—but it’s   more complicated than that. A simple change to your daily habit can help dial down those negative feelings. New research suggests that this simple strategy could...

Read This

Repair Your Gut Barrier With the “Sunshine Cure”

Happy Fourth of July! As you celebrate with sunshine, good food, and great company, don’t forget—those summer rays aren’t just lifting your spirits… they’re also working behind the scenes to protect your gut and boost your health. Your gut health is more important than most people realize. It directly affects your overall well-being—from immunity to...

Read This

The 5 Health Numbers Your Doctor Wishes You'd Track

Have you ever been told you should “advocate” for yourself when it comes to your healthcare and wondered what that really means? It’s not just a buzzword—it’s a powerful concept that empowers you to take charge of your own health journey. In fact, it could save your life. Being your own best health advocate starts...

Read This

Do THIS Every 20 Minutes to STOP Digital Eye Strain

Our eyes are under assault—they are the true victims of our current digital age. And it’s because we are constantly glued to screens… phones, tablets, computers, TVs—you name it. Unfortunately, that screen time is taking a serious toll. Digital eye strain affects millions worldwide. In fact, up to 50 percent of computer users could develop...

Read This

Mailbag: The Calcium Mistake That's Hardening Your Arteries

“What type of calcium is best to take with bisphosphonates for osteoporosis? I know some varieties can build up in arteries. Thanks for the help.” —Bone Builder Hi Builder, When a patient asks me about calcium, I ask them a peculiar question in return… “Ever wonder how elephants and giraffes build and maintain their massive...

Read This