The topic of diabetes often reminds us how this illness is life-threatening. As explained on stanford.edu, diabetes has been thought as hereditary, but in fact in addition to the genetic cause, diabetes can also be a result of environmental factors.
Exposure to toxins
A polluted environment has the potential to expose us with toxins. The study done by American Diabetes Association published in Diabetes Spectrum Journal explains that heavy metal elements like arsenic and dioxin that enter the body can be blamed for the cases of diabetes in the US.
According to diabetesjournal.org, arsenic and dioxin are often found in industrial waste. If this waste is discharged to the river, it will pollute the water and bring harm to the people who consume the water. Regular consumption of this water will accumulate content of heavy metal in the body and can trigger diabetes, says the study.
Water pollution
A similar study has been done by the Stanford University School of Medicine, which also claims that water that is polluted with heavy metal like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can cause genetic damage when consume continuously, which can cause various problems like diabetes type 2.
Furthermore, the Center for Pediatric Bioinformatics at Lucile Packard Children Hospital claims that children who often consume water that is polluted with heavy metal have a much bigger risk of developing diabetes type 2 when they grow up.
Foods that contain pesticide
Pesticides are used in agriculture to fight the pests. However, chemical pesticides may leave residues on the produce.
Website diabetesandenviromental.org says that if not cleaned properly, the produce may bring such residues into the body of the people who consume it, which will accumulate over time. Jeremy Berg, PhD, Director of the National Institute of General Medical Science, says that chemical pesticides may also contain gamma-tocopherol, a chemical substance than can cause diabetes.
Therefore, diabetesjournal.org recommends consuming organic food ingredients that are pesticide-free. Also, it is better to live in unpolluted environment. More importantly, Jayanta Bhattacharya, MD, PhD from US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that we should always check our drinking water and make sure it is free from heavy metal. Living a healthy environment that is free from pollution and exposure to toxins can minimize our risk of developing diabetes.
