STRANGELY ENOUGH, TYPE 2 DIABETES AND AIR POLLUTION ARE CONNECTED

It is correctly said that “Managing Diabetes is not a science, it is an art, especially when it comes to Type 2 Diabetes or Diabetes Mellitus.”

I was reading a recent journal, Particle and Fibre Toxicology, related to Type 2 Diabetes and noted a crucial fact that the people who have Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Problems are more vulnerable to the pollutants present in the air.

The pollutants contain all the particles less than the diameter lesser than 10μm (PM10).

Now let us dive a little deeper into the details of Type 2 Diabetes and the connection between the Type 2 Diabetes and Air Pollution.

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a progressive condition caused when the human body loses its resistance power to the normal effects of the insulin hormone. Also, T2DM affects the capacity to produce enough insulin by the pancreas organ.

This leads to a sudden increase in the level of sugar, which will, in turn, affect the organs like kidney and Eyes.

How Is Type 2 Diabetes Caused?

Apart from the lifestyle factor, there are many more inherent factors leading to Type 2 Diabetes. Some of the common causes of the Type 2 Diabetes are noted below.

• Extra Weight / Obese:

If you are overweight or fat, especially if you have certain extra pounds around the middle portion, then it can cause insulin resistance. In recent times, Type 2 Diabetes affects the teens and kids alike, mainly due to childhood obesity.

• Metabolic Syndrome:

People with the symptoms of insulin resistance have other health effects as well such as hypertension, high cholesterol along with triglycerides, the composition of extra fat around the waist, and the presence of high blood glucose as well.

• Secretion of Excessive Glucose from Liver:

Sometimes, the level of sugar in your blood may become low. When this happens, the liver produces and secretes excessive glucose. After you consume sugar from external sources, the liver will gradually slow down the production and store the remaining the glucose for later use. But sometimes, the liver is not able to do so. They keep kicking out sugar.

• Bad Communication Between Cells:

Occasionally, it may happen that the human body cells send the wrong signals or do not understand the signals correctly. When this happens, it will affect the production and secretion of the glucose from the liver. As a result, a chain reaction happens for some time, leading to diabetes.

What Is Air Pollution?

According to the definition by World Health Organization (WHO), if there is contamination of the air by some physical, chemical or any other biological agent or causes any modification in the natural characteristics of the atmosphere, then the particulates will be termed as an air pollutant.

Some of the common sources of air pollution include release from the vehicles and industries. The pollutants include Sulphur Oxides, Carbon Oxides, NOX, and ozone as well.

Furthermore, the WHO reports that 92% of the total world population lives in the highly polluted areas, so the increased occurrence of Type 2 Diabetes can be understood.

How Is Air Pollution Responsible for Causing Type 2 Diabetes?

Many researchers found that the air pollutants cause inflammation in the body. This is more common and effective in obese persons. This is due to the accumulation of chemicals in the body fat present. As a result, this causes disturbance and disorders in the metabolic process.

It is reported by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) that 1 person in every 11 is suffering from Type 2 Diabetes.

It is a well known-fact that Type 2 Diabetes is a lifestyle disease. But the problem of air pollution further adds fuel to the fire. So it is upon the individuals that they control the exhaustion of the gases being released from the industries and vehicles.