“POP” goes diabetes

Diabetes has been a National Health Priority since 1997 due the spiralling incidence of the disease and the impact it is having on individuals and the community. It is estimated that four per cent of the Australian population have the condition which is around 900,000 people. That is an increase from just 1.5 per cent of the population with the condition only 15 years ago. With the numbers of people affected by diabetes surging there is an enormous amount of research going on into how to treat diabetes but also what causes it. While lifestyle factors like being overweight have an undeniable link to the condition, a new study has found that exposure to pesticides may also play a role in developing type 2 diabetes.

The study began by analysing fat tissue content in a group of subjects. Fat tissue (adipose tissue) is known to store potentially harmful substances and the researchers wanted to see if there was any correlation between some of these substances and diabetes. What they found was a strong link between levels of substances called persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in fat tissue and chances of developing diabetes.

These POPs are present in pesticides, industrial waste, and building materials. They can enter the body through the air and skin but their main access is via food as pesticides.

It remains unsure exactly how POPs contribute to diabetes but it could be that they precipitate an immune response that interferes with cell receptors and sugar metabolism. Whatever the cause though, the link seems strong and it is yet another reason to go organic with your food.