Type 2 diabetes link with pollutants and pesticides

New research has linked diabetes with pollutants, according to a recent publication in PLoS One. A study, conducted by Stanford University School of Medicine assistant professor Atul Butte, examined 266 environmental factors that could contribute to type 2 diabetes .
Drawing on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, the researchers examined blood and urine tests for hundreds of pollutants amongst thousands of patients. The researchers highlighted vitamin E, heptachlor epoxide and PCBs as all contributing to higher mean blood sugar levels. Meanwhile, beta-carotine was identified as having a positive influence on blood glucose levels.
The researchers made sure to highlight that this association does not mean that these factors cause diabetes, and a more detailed study is needed to understand the detailed relationships between the environment and diabetes.