Latest news with #VishalMidya
Medical News Today
4 days ago
- Health
- Medical News Today
Exposure to PFAS, ‘forever chemicals', linked to increased type 2 diabetes risk
Every one in nine adults around the world lives with diabetes, with more than 90% of those cases being type 2 diabetes. Previous research shows that certain environmental factors, like exposure to certain chemicals, may increase a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes. A new study found that exposure to a class of synthetic chemicals known as 'forever chemicals' may increase a person's type 2 diabetes estimate that every one in nine adults around the world lives with diabetes, with more than 90% of those cases being type 2 diabetes. Past studies have identified several factors that may increase a person's risk for developing type 2 diabetes, such as obesity, genetics, smoking history, diet, and living a sedentary lifestyle. Additionally, previous research shows that certain environmental factors, like air pollution and exposure to certain chemicals, may also heighten a person's risk for the disease.'Type 2 diabetes is a complex disease, and genetics by itself fails to explain it in totality,' Vishal Midya, PhD, MStat, assistant professor of environmental medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, told Medical News Today. 'Environmental exposures are one of the few potential suspects that can be directly intervened upon. Therefore, studying ways in which environmental exposures can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes may potentially open new avenues for risk assessment and opportunities for interventions,' he is the corresponding author of a new study recently published in the journal eBioMedicine that found exposure to a class of synthetic chemicals called perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — also known as 'forever chemicals' — may also increase a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes. PFAS chemicals in everyday productsFor this study, researchers analyzed medical data from 53,790 participants in a large electronic health record-linked research database called BioMe. From these records, scientists selected 180 who had recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes to compare with them 180 similar participants without the condition. Using blood samples, researchers measured the amount of PFAS levels in their blood. PFAS chemicals can be found in a variety of everyday products, including: Cleaning productsFirefighting foamFood packagingNon-stick cookwareStain-resistant productsWaterproof clothingPFAS chemicals are known as 'forever chemicals' because they do not naturally break down in a landfill. This means PFAs can leach into the soil and water around it, potentially contaminating drinking water and crops grown in soil with high PFAS content. 'There is enough literature (especially animal models) that illustrates the true causal biological effect of PFAS,' Midya said. 'Moreover, PFAS has been linked to type 2 diabetes before, but mostly in vulnerable populations like pregnant [people] or in children and adolescents. Very few works have investigated the detrimental effect of PFAS in a relatively healthy group of adults, and its potential effect even before any disease was clinically diagnosed. This study is one of the first to look into the effect of PFAS in a relatively healthy group of adults from NYC,' he explained. Higher blood PFAS levels linked to increased diabetes riskAt the study's conclusion, Midya and his team found that study participants with higher levels of PFAS in their blood samples were at a much higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. Specifically, researchers found that every increase in PFAS exposure correlated with a 31% increase in type 2 diabetes risk. 'Our study highlights the detrimental effects of PFAS exposure, even four to five years before any diagnosis, and provides some biological insights. It is concerning that PFAS can be detected in this relatively healthy group of adults from NYC.' — Vishal Midya, PhD, MStat'PFAS, primarily due to their chemical structure, can interfere with how the body stores and regulates fat, and consequently, how the body controls glucose,' he continued. 'Higher PFAS levels may disrupt fat and glucose regulation in the body, which in turn may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.' Reducing exposure to PFAS importantAs the study is rather based on a small sample, Midya said that it needs to be replicated in larger samples. 'That is why we are currently working on reproducing these results on a much larger and more representative population of NYC,' he said. 'Our findings provide evidence that higher exposures to PFAS could increase risk for type 2 diabetes. Findings from this study underscore the utmost importance of preventing PFAS exposures to promote public health,' he added.'The government should take steps to educate the general population more about the silent harms that PFAS exposure may cause, and eventually take strides to enact policies that target overall PFAS reduction, starting from food packaging to daily-use products. Our study discusses past PFAS exposures, which we cannot change, but we can certainly take charge of what we are being exposed to today.' — Vishal Midya, PhD, MStatNew avenue to reduce type 2 diabetes riskMNT spoke with Mir Ali, MD, a board certified general surgeon, bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, about this study. Ali commented that this was a good study showing how exposure to certain chemicals can adversely affect your health, in this case, increase diabetes risk.'Diabetes is a growing issue, particularly in more industrialized countries,' he explained. 'Though diet and exercise can reduce risk, finding other potential sources of risk, such as environmental exposure, can be another avenue to reduce risk.' 'I would like to see the extent of risk reduction in populations that reduce environmental exposure compared to those that don't decrease exposure,' he added.
UPI
5 days ago
- Health
- UPI
PFAS 'forever chemicals' might increase risk of diabetes
So-called "forever chemicals" could be increasing Americans' risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, a new study says. Photo by Vlado Paunovic/Adobe Stock So-called "forever chemicals" could be increasing Americans' risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, a new study says. Higher blood levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are associated with a significantly greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, the form of the disease most closely tied to obesity, researchers reported Monday in the journal eBioMedicine. Risk for Type 2 diabetes increased by 31% as PFAS blood levels rose from low to moderate and from moderate to high, researchers found. It appears that the forever chemicals could be affecting the body's ability to regulate blood sugar levels, researchers wrote. "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 U.S. populations," lead researcher Vishal Midya, an assistant professor of environmental medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, said in a news release. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" because they combine carbon and fluorine molecules, one of the strongest chemical bonds possible. This makes PFAS removal and breakdown very difficult, researchers explained in background notes. PFAS compounds have been used in consumer products since the 1940s, including fire extinguishing foam, nonstick cookware, food wrappers, stain-resistant furniture and waterproof clothing. "PFAS are synthetic chemicals that resist heat, oil, water and stains, and are found in countless everyday consumer products," Midya said. "Because they don't break down easily, PFAS accumulate in the environment -- and in human bodies." For the study, researchers analyzed blood samples from 180 people recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and compared them to 180 similar individuals without diabetes. They found people's PFAS levels were indeed associated with their risk for Type 2 diabetes. PFAS also seemed to alter people's metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates and some drugs, researchers said. For example, PFAS altered people's levels of sulfolithocholyglycine, a key signaling molecule for coordinating and regulating metabolism of fats, blood sugar, drugs and energy, researchers wrote. However, the nature of the study means a direct cause-and-effect link between PFAS and Type 2 diabetes can't be drawn, researchers noted. Future research is needed to verify this link, and to figure out exactly why PFAS might alter metabolism in a way that would impact diabetes risk, researchers said. More information The Environmental Working Group has more on PFAS chemicals. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Al Etihad
6 days ago
- Health
- Al Etihad
'Forever Chemicals' linked to higher risk of Type 2 diabetes
23 July 2025 13:36 NEW YORK (ALETIHAD) Exposure to a class of synthetic chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—often called 'forever chemicals'—may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a new study led by Mount Sinai researchers. The findings were published on Tuesday in eBioMedicine. The team conducted a nested case-control study - an observational study that is conducted within a larger cohort study - within BioMe, a large, electronic health record-linked research database comprising records 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 study analysed 180 people recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and compared them to 180 similar individuals without diabetes. Researchers used blood samples to analyse PFAS levels—a group of chemicals used in everything from nonstick cookware to stain-resistant furniture to waterproof clothing—and found that higher levels of PFAS were associated with a significantly greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the each increase in range of PFAS exposure was linked to a 31 percent increase in risk. The team 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.'PFAS are synthetic chemicals that resist heat, oil, water, and stains, and are found in countless everyday consumer products,' said Vishal Midya, PhD, MStat, corresponding author and Assistant Professor, Environmental Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.'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.' Findings from this study underscore the importance of preventing PFAS exposures to promote public health and of advancing knowledge about potential mechanisms underlying the PFAS impacts on human metabolism. The researchers called for further research studies, integrating environmental with genetic data to better understand how environmental exposures interact with human metabolism and contribute to chronic disease. They also call for larger study populations, expanding over the life course, from preconception to elderly, to understand environmental health impacts across the lifespan and at vulnerable life periods. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Time of India
7 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Using non-stick cookware at home? Here's why it could increase the risk of type 2 diabetes
A recent study by Mount Sinai researchers reveals a significant link between exposure to PFAS, commonly known as forever chemicals, and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Analyzing data from over 70,000 participants, the study found that higher PFAS levels correlate with a 31% increase in diabetes risk, potentially due to metabolic irregularities. 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. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you have a mouse, play this game for 1 minute Navy Quest Undo by Taboola by Taboola 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. ' Supreme Court Pushes Central Govt to Finalise FOPL: What It Means & Why It Matters? | Explained 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.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Forever chemicals in household objects linked to type 2 diabetes, scientists warn
Common 'forever chemicals' found in everyday items like non-stick cookware, food packaging and waterproof clothing could increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, new research has found. The study adds to a growing body of research pointing to a role of plastic-related 'forever chemicals', also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs), in disrupting human metabolism. Researchers in New York analysed health records and blood samples from 360 people, comparing individuals recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes to those without. They found that people with higher levels of PFAs in their blood were up to 31 per cent more likely to develop diabetes. PFAS are a class of thousands of human-made chemicals used since the 1940s in stain-resistant furniture, greaseproof food packaging, cosmetics and firefighting foams. They are known for persisting in the environment and the bloodstream, earning them the name 'forever chemicals.' The study showed these chemicals appear to interfere with amino acid biosynthesis and drug metabolism – processes that are critical to the body's blood sugar regulation. 'PFAS are synthetic chemicals that resist heat, oil, water, and stains, and are found in countless everyday consumer products,' said Dr Vishal Midya, senior author of the study and assistant professor of environmental medicine at Mount Sinai's Icahn School of Medicine. 'Because they don't break down easily, PFAS accumulate in the environment – and in human bodies.' The researchers said their findings point to a need to factor in environmental exposure, not just genetics or lifestyle, when trying to prevent type 2 diabetes. 'Mounting research suggests that PFAS are a risk factor for several chronic diseases, such as obesity, liver disease, and diabetes,' said Dr Damaskini Valvi, associate professor of public health and environmental medicine at Mount Sinai. A runner grabs a bottle of water at the athlete's village prior to the start of the 116th running of the Boston Marathon, in Hopkinton (AP) PFAS have already been linked to several health problems, including cancers, reproductive harm, and immune system suppression. These substances are so widespread that a long-term US government study found 98 per cent of Americans had some amount of PFAs in their blood. While earlier research, including a Harvard study, has linked PFAS to diabetes risk, the Mount Sinai researchers say their study is among the first to explore how these chemicals may disrupt metabolic pathways in diverse, urban populations. The findings come amid global talks on whether limiting PFAS should be included in a forthcoming UN plastics treaty. A growing number of countries, including many in the European Union, have already announced or implemented their own restrictions on PFAs in consumer products.
