Forever chemicals are everywhere. From the water we drink to the food we eat, and even in human cells, this class of synthetic chemicals is everywhere. But can they cause illnesses? A recent study has looked at the association between forever chemicals and type 2 diabetes.A new study led by Mount Sinai researchers found a close link between forever chemicals and diabetes. The findings are published in eBioMedicine.
What are forever chemicals
Forever chemicals, which were developed in the 1940s, have become a part of our lives now. Also known as PFAs, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, forever chemicals, are a class of synthetic chemicals. Known for their durability (resistance to heat, oil, and water), PFAs are used in products ranging from Teflon pans to cosmetics, dental floss, and fast-food wrappers. Yes, from nonstick cookware to stain-resistant furniture to waterproof clothing, PFAs are everywhere
PFAs and type 2 diabetes
The researchers have now found a link between PFAs and type 2 diabetes. They found that exposure to these chemicals may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. They found that these associations could be due to metabolic irregularities in amino acid biosynthesis and drug metabolism, which may help explain how PFAS affect the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar. To understand the impact of PFAs on human health, the researchers conducted a study. They looked at the data of more than 70,000 study participants who have sought care at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City since 2007. Based on available data, the researchers analyzed 180 people recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and compared them to 180 similar individuals without diabetes.The researchers then looked at their blood samples to analyze PFAS levels. They found that higher levels of PFAS were associated with a significantly greater risk of developing T2D in the future. Each increase in range of PFAS exposure was linked to a 31% increase in risk. They also found that these associations could be due to metabolic irregularities in amino acid biosynthesis and drug metabolism, which may help explain how PFAS affect the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar.
What are the experts saying
Vishal Midya, PhD, MStat, corresponding author and assistant Professor, Environmental Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, said, “PFAS are synthetic chemicals that resist heat, oil, water, and stains, and are found in countless everyday consumer products. Because they don’t break down easily, PFAS accumulate in the environment—and in human bodies. Our study is one of the first to examine how these chemicals may disrupt the body’s metabolism in ways that increase diabetes risk—particularly in diverse US populations.”
The study emphasizes the importance of preventing PFAS exposures to promote public health. “This research leverages an exposomics framework to characterize environmental impacts and associated metabolic alterations contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes in vulnerable US populations. Findings can help us design more effective interventions for the early prevention of type 2 diabetes in the future, taking into account individuals’ exposures to environmental chemicals along with other well-known genetic, clinical, and lifestyle factors implicated in diabetes development. Mounting research suggests that PFAS are a risk factor for several chronic diseases, such as obesity, liver disease, and diabetes,” Damaskini Valvi, MD, PhD, MPH, senior author and associate professor, Public Health and Environmental Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, added.
