A link exists between secondhand smoke and type 2 diabetes, researchers report in the British Medical Journal.
A link exists between secondhand smoke and type 2 diabetes, researchers report in the British Medical Journal online.
The study by scientists at UAB and elsewhere measured the time it took for development of glucose intolerance, a diabetes precursor, during a 15-year follow up of participants in the ongoing Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study (CARDIA) of 5,115 people in Birmingham and several other large cities.
Thomas K. Houston, M.D., UAB assistant professor of medicine, said the study was strengthened by having measured for serum levels of cotinine, a nicotine byproduct and indicator of smoke exposure.
The study was adjusted for other diabetes risk factors. “It’s more evidence supporting the risk of second-hand smoke,” Houston said.
Diabetes has increased tenfold in North America in the past 30 years and so has pre-diabetes, previously called borderline diabetes.
Dietary changes are important in helping obese and other at-risk people avoid diabetes, but physical exercise may be even more important, according to UAB endocrinologist Richard Rosenthal, M.D.
“Exercise improves your insulin sensitivity, helps the body better metabolize glucose and keeps people at risk of diabetes out of the danger zone.”
Exercise that builds lean body mass – such as weight training, yoga or Pilates – can further improve insulin sensitivity, making it a helpful complement to aerobic exercise such as walking or running.
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