Diabetes risk increased by HIV medicines

According to recent reports, people being treated for HIV could be at a greater risk of developing heart diseases and type 2 diabetes due to the commonly prescribed medications . The drugs cause fat from the arms, legs, face and buttocks to move to the stomach, a research team in Sydney have pointed out.
Scientists at the Garvan Institute found that older-style HIV drugs, still common in many areas of the world, increased diabetes risk top the same level as people with morbid obesity .
Lead research Associate Professor Katherine Samaras reportedly commented: “When fat cells are healthy they help maintain our metabolism, but if they become too large or are affected by drugs, such as HIV medications, they can produce a whole lot of chemicals linked to heart disease . We also have the problem that the older drugs are off-patent now and very cheap so they are the frontline treatment in Third World countries.”