Study suggests bacteria found in the environment play a role in triggering type 2 diabetes

A study suggests that bacteria found in food and water may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes in people who are obese.

Researchers found that patients who were involved in the study, all of whom were significantly obese, had more bacteria in their fatty tissue and livers, and a higher proportion of potentially harmful bacteria.

They suggest these bacteria may have escaped through the wall of their gut, causing inflammation which can make it harder for the body to control blood sugar levels.

Professor Andre Marette, who led the study, said “Our findings suggest in people suffering from severe obesity, bacteria or fragments of bacteria are associated with the development of type 2 diabetes.

The UK is currently in the grip of a type 2 diabetes epidemic. Two-thirds of adults in England are overweight and 29 per cent obese, although not all people who are obese develop diabetes.

Naveed Sattar, professor of metabolic medicine at the University of Glasgow, said “This is interesting research but it is more likely that factors that lead to type 2 diabetes lead to changes in bacteria within the body, rather than that the bacteria cause the diabetes.

“More research is needed, to look at the bacteria in people’s gut, liver and blood both before and after they develop diabetes.”

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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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