ARSENIC AND DIABETES
ANCHOR LEAD: WHEN IT COMES TO ARSENIC, THERE MAY NOT BE A SAFE LEVEL, ELIZABETH TRACEY REPORTS
Arsenic exposure, largely through drinking water, may result in the development of type 2 diabetes, a Johns Hopkins study has found. Ana Navas-Acien, the study’s lead author, says the association between higher arsenic levels and diabetes remained, even when other risk factors were taken into account.
NAVAS-ACIEN: We found that participants with diabetes had higher levels of arsenic in their urine compared to participants without diabetes, and that association was found after adjusting for other known risk factors for diabetes such as obesity, or overweight. We also found that relationship for men or for women, by age or by race, people with normal weight, among people who were overweight, and among people who were obese so that supports that its beyond just an obesity problem. :32
Identification of arsenic as an important environmental agent in the development of type 2 diabetes may account for some of the huge rise in diabetes incidence worldwide, along with obesity. I’m Elizabeth Tracey reporting.
