News

Lifestyle changes don’t help everyone equally with diabetes risk

A new study from the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), University Hospital Tübingen, and Helmholtz Munich found that long-term weight loss and lifestyle changes don’t prevent type 2 diabetes for all high-risk groups.

Key findings:

The study background

  • Researchers previously identified 6 distinct risk clusters for type 2 diabetes. Clusters 3 and 5 have especially high diabetes risk.
  • This study looked at whether lifestyle interventions work equally well across those clusters. It used data from the Tübingen Lifestyle Intervention Program (TULIP), where high-risk participants did a 2-year lifestyle program and were tracked for ∼9 years total.

What happened to Cluster 5

  • Participants in risk cluster 5 achieved substantial, sustained weight loss of 8% over 9 years.
  • Despite this, they still showed:
    • Rising blood glucose levels
    • Declining insulin secretion
    • Persistently high diabetes risk
  • This surprised researchers, since weight loss + diet + exercise usually prevent type 2 diabetes effectively.

Why Cluster 5 is different

  • The likely cause: pronounced fatty liver disease and insulin resistance
  • These factors appear to impair insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells, driving blood glucose up even when weight stays down.
  • Cluster 5 has previously been linked to higher susceptibility to both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

What this means

  • Standard lifestyle interventions may not be enough for people in risk cluster 5.
  • If confirmed in future studies, precision prevention strategies will be needed. High-risk groups like cluster 5 may require more intensive or targeted interventions beyond typical diet and exercise programs.

The research was published in the journal Diabetes and led by Professor Norbert Stefan.

Major trial shows continuous glucose monitoring improves blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes

The FreeDM2 clinical trial found that real-time continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) significantly improves blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes who use basal insulin, compared to traditional finger-prick testing.

Study Details

  • Published in: The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology on 23 April 2026. Findings also presented at the Diabetes UK Professional Conference in Liverpool.
  • Led by: Dr Emma Wilmot, University of Nottingham/University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, and Dr Lala Leelarathna, Imperial College London/Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
  • Participants: 303 adults with type 2 diabetes on basal insulin, randomly assigned to either real-time CGM or finger-prick monitoring.
  • Duration: 16-week self-management period, followed by 16 weeks of clinician-supported care.

Results

  • CGM users had significantly greater reductions in HbA1c (the key measure of long-term blood glucose) at both 16 and 32 weeks.
  • Benefits were seen in both the self-management phase and the clinician-guided phase.
  • In phase 1, improvements occurred without new medications, suggesting participants used CGM data to make meaningful lifestyle changes.

Context

  • Type 2 diabetes makes up ∼90% of diabetes cases globally. High blood glucose increases risk of blindness, amputations, heart disease, and early death.
  • CGM uses a small arm sensor that sends glucose readings to a phone/reader, with alarms for high/low levels. It’s less painful than finger-pricks and gives 24/7 data.
  • While CGM is standard care for type 1 diabetes in the UK, its role in type 2 has been uncertain, limiting access.

Keto diet may improve beta cell function in people with type 2 diabetes

A small peer-reviewed study published in the latest Journal of the Endocrine Society found that a ketogenic diet may help improve beta-cell function in people with type 2 diabetes, potentially aiding diabetes reversal.

Key findings

  • Study design: 51 adults with type 2 diabetes, ages 55-62, 71% female, were assigned to either a ketogenic diet or a low-fat diet for 3 months. Both diets were designed to be weight-maintaining.
  • What improved: The ketogenic diet group showed greater improvement in beta-cell function compared to the low-fat group. Beta cells in the pancreas secrete insulin to control blood sugar, and they often underperform in type 2 diabetes.
  • How it was measured: Researchers tracked the proinsulin-to-C-peptide ratio, a biomarker of beta-cell stress. This ratio decreased more in the keto group, indicating reduced stress on the pancreas and better insulin secretion ability.
  • Weight loss: Both groups lost a modest amount of weight on average, but the keto diet’s benefits to beta-cell function occurred independently of substantial weight loss.

Why it matters

  • Current gap: According to lead author Marian Yurchishin, M.S., of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, “Other than bariatric surgery or large-volume intentional weight loss, interventions for improving beta-cell function in type 2 diabetes do not currently exist.”
  • Mechanism: A ketogenic diet is high-fat, low-carb and shifts metabolism to burn fat instead of storing it. The authors suggest this reduces stress on the pancreas and improves beta-cells’ ability to secrete insulin.

Study details

  • Authors: Marian Yurchishin, Amanda Finn, Lauren Fowler, and Barbara Gower of UAB; Sara Vere-Whiting of University of Glasgow.
  • Funding: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, UAB Nutrition Obesity Research Center, UAB Diabetes Research Center, and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
  • Context: The study was small and focused on patients with early type 2 diabetes. More research would be needed to confirm long-term effects and applicability to broader populations.

Progress in stem cell therapy for type 1 diabetes

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden published a peer-reviewed study in Stem Cell Reports detailing an improved method to create insulin-producing cells from human stem cells.

Key findings

  • More reliable production: The new method consistently generates high-quality, mature insulin-producing cells from multiple human stem cell lines, addressing past issues where methods produced mixed, immature cell populations.
  • Better function in lab tests: In vitro, the cells secreted insulin and showed strong glucose responsiveness.
  • Reversed diabetes in mice: When transplanted into the anterior chamber of the eye of diabetic mice, the cells gradually matured and restored blood sugar regulation for several months.

Why it matters

  • Patient-specific potential: Works across different stem cell lines, which could enable personalized cell therapies with reduced immune rejection, per lead authors Per-Olof Berggren and Siqin Wu.
  • Solves prior barriers: By refining culture steps and letting cells form 3D clusters themselves, the process eliminates many unwanted cell types and improves glucose responsiveness — two major hurdles in past trials, according to Fredrik Lanner.
  • Clinical next steps: The team aims to move toward clinical translation for treating type 1 diabetes.

Context & notes

  • Type 1 diabetes results from immune destruction of pancreatic insulin-producing cells, leaving patients unable to regulate blood sugar.
  • The eye chamber transplant technique allows minimally invasive monitoring of cell development over time.
  • Funded by the Swedish Research Council, Novo Nordisk Foundation, ERC, and others. Some researchers report industry links, including patents and employment at Spiber Technologies AB and Biocrine AB. Karolinska Institutet

One in 10 people may have resistance to GLP-1 diabetes drugs

A new study led by researchers at Stanford Medicine suggests that about 1 in 10 people may have a genetic resistance to GLP-1 diabetes drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, when these medications are used to control blood sugar in people with Type 2 Diabetes.

The study found that certain variants in the PAM gene, carried by roughly 10% of the population, are linked to a phenomenon researchers call GLP-1 resistance. People with these variants have higher levels of the GLP-1 hormone, but the hormone is less biologically effective, meaning it does not lower blood sugar as well as expected. This was unexpected, since researchers initially thought these individuals would have lower hormone levels.

After experiments in both humans and mice, the researchers confirmed that this resistance is real. In mouse models, GLP-1 activity was reduced despite normal receptor function, suggesting that the problem likely occurs further downstream in the signaling pathway, though the exact mechanism remains unknown.

Analysis of clinical trial data involving more than 1,100 participants showed that people with PAM variants were less likely to reach target HbA1c blood sugar levels after six months of treatment with GLP-1 receptor agonists. Importantly, this reduced response appeared to be specific to GLP-1 drugs, as responses to other diabetes medications like metformin were unaffected.

The findings could be an important step toward precision medicine, allowing doctors to use genetic testing to predict which patients are less likely to benefit from GLP-1 therapies and choose better treatments earlier. Researchers also note that longer-acting GLP-1 drugs may help overcome this resistance, though more research is needed, especially regarding effects on weight loss

New cause for diabetes in babies found in non-coding genes

Scientists at the University of Exeter have identified DNA changes in two non-coding genes, RNU4ATAC and RNU6ATAC, as a cause of autoimmune neonatal diabetes in 19 babies.

Key findings

  • First time non-coding genes linked to neonatal diabetes: Unlike most genetic research that focuses on protein-coding genes, this study found mutations in genes that produce functional RNA molecules instead of proteins. These RNA molecules help regulate other genes and how genetic information is interpreted.
  • How it was discovered: Using genome sequencing of children worldwide through Exeter’s free genetic testing program for suspected genetic diabetes, researchers found mutations in these two genes disrupted ∼800 other genes, many tied to immune function.
  • Disease mechanism: All 19 children had an autoimmune form of diabetes where the immune system attacks insulin-producing beta cells, similar to type 1 diabetes. The mutations appear to disrupt immune pathways.

Why it matters

  1. Diagnosis: Up to half of people with rare diseases lack a diagnosis. Exploring non-coding DNA could provide answers for more families.
  2. Treatment potential: Understanding the cause opens possibilities for new treatments and better care for neonatal diabetes.
  3. Broader implications: One or more of the 800 disrupted genes may play a central role in autoimmune diabetes, potentially revealing new biology and drug targets for the more common type 1 diabetes.

Study details

  • Lead: Associate Professor Elisa De Franco, University of Exeter Medical School
  • Support: NIHR Exeter Biomedical Research Centre and Exeter NIHR Clinical Research Facility
  • Publication: Peer-reviewed, announced April 9, 2026

Dr De Franco noted this shows “the importance of non-protein coding genes and their potential to cause disease in humans.” Dr Matthew Johnson added that while this condition is rare, it gives researchers “a window into the ways type 1 diabetes can develop.

Women with diabetes less likely to receive preventive care and some screenings

A new UCLA-led study, published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, found that women with diabetes are less likely to receive crucial preventive care and certain cancer screenings compared to women without diabetes.

Summary:

  • Preventive Care Gaps: The study, which analyzed over 40 previous studies, highlighted that physicians often overlook services like conception counseling and some cancer screenings for women (ages 15-49) with diabetes.
  • Specific Findings: For women with diabetes, contraceptive services were received by 48% (vs. 62% for those without), cervical cancer screening rates ranged from 38-79% (vs. 46-86%), breast cancer screenings were 38-69% (vs. 54-82%), and pre-conception counseling was only given to just over 1% of those planning pregnancy (vs. 46% for women without diabetes).
  • Need for Coordinated Care: The researchers emphasized that robust, coordinated care teams involving endocrinology, primary care, and other specialists could significantly improve access to these services.
  • Limitations & Future Research: The review was limited by a small number of studies, some relying on patient recall, and many with small sample sizes. Future research should focus on how health systems can leverage electronic health records and improve care coordination to address these gaps.

New study demonstrates feasibility and safety of deprescribing diabetes medications when lifestyle medicine is integrated into primary care

A new study published on March 31, 2026, demonstrates that reducing or discontinuing diabetes medications (deprescribing) is feasible and safe for patients with type 2 diabetes when lifestyle medicine is integrated into routine primary care.

Key findings:

  • A retrospective review of 650 adults with type 2 diabetes found that 6.3% of patients safely reduced or stopped their glucose-lowering medications after showing improvements in weight and blood glucose due to lifestyle-informed care in primary care settings
  • These medication reductions happened naturally during routine primary care, not in intensive programs or specialty clinics
  • Patients who deprescribed saw an average BMI decrease of 2.2 kg/m² and a blood glucose drop of 50.5 mg/dL, with no adverse events linked to the deprescribing process
  • The most common medication changes were metformin dose reduction (34%), metformin discontinuation (19.5%), and insulin dose reduction (19.5%)
  • The study suggests that incorporating lifestyle medicine into primary care could lead to significant medication burden reduction, lower costs, and fewer side effects for millions of Americans with type 2 diabetes if these outcomes are replicated nationally

Implantable islet cells could control diabetes without insulin injections

MIT researchers are developing an implantable device that houses insulin-producing islet cells, aiming to let type 1 diabetes patients control blood sugar without daily insulin shots. The device encapsulates the cells to shield them from immune attack and includes an on-board oxygen generator that splits water vapor in the body into oxygen (with hydrogen diffusing away).

In the latest study, published in Device, the team made the device more waterproof, more crack-resistant, and boosted its wireless power delivery so the oxygen generator can keep cells alive longer. In mice and rats, the encapsulated islets survived at least 90 days and produced enough insulin to keep blood sugar in a healthy range. Stem-cell-derived islets also worked, though they didn’t fully reverse diabetes yet.

The researchers hope to extend device life to up to two years and see the platform as a way to deliver other protein therapies—antibodies, enzymes, clotting factors—so drugs could be made inside the body rather than infused repeatedly

Widespread temptations bad news for people with a high risk of diabetes

A new NTNU study finds that people with a high genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes are developing the disease much more often now than they did in the 1980s — and the researchers link the rise to today’s environment of easy-access calories and sedentary leisure.

What the study did
• Analyzed data from over 86,000 participants with nearly 200,000 measurements from the HUNT Study (Trøndelag Health Study, running since 1984).
• Published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology by PhD fellow Vera Vik Bjarkø and colleagues.

What they found
• The gap in type 2 diabetes prevalence between people with high versus low genetic risk widened from the 1980s to the 2010s.
• For people with low genetic risk, prevalence stayed low throughout the period.

Why this matters
• Researchers suggest modern “temptations” — abundant cheap snacks, sweets available any day (not just weekends), plus more sedentary activities like multiple TV channels, phones, and tablets — amplify genetic vulnerability.
• In other words, people with high genetic risk appear especially susceptible in a society that encourages unhealthy eating and inactivity, while those with low genetic risk seem to have protective factors that buffer these exposures.

More sleep and physical activity may prevent Type 2 diabetes in teens

Adolescents who swapped 30 minutes of sedentary time each day for
either sleep or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity showed lower
insulin resistance—a marker linked to Type 2 diabetes risk. The biggest
effect came from adding activity: replacing 30 min of sitting with
moderate-to-vigorous exercise cut insulin resistance by nearly 15%;
swapping the same 30 min for sleep cut it by about 5%. Shifting 30 min
to light activity didn’t produce a significant change.


Study basics
• Data came from Project Viva, a long-term health study of women and children in Eastern Massachusetts.
• 802 teens (average age ∼12.9) wore accelerometers for 7–10 days and
kept sleep logs; 394 of them had fasting blood tests in late adolescence
(average age ∼17.5) to calculate HOMA-IR.
• Teens spent about 48% of their day sedentary, 33% sleeping, 17% in light activity, and 2% in moderate-to-vigorous activity.


Context
• The results were presented as an oral abstract at the American Heart
Association’s EPI|Lifestyle Scientific Sessions 2026 (Boston, March
17-20). The abstract is preliminary—not yet peer-reviewed.
• Researchers note the study can’t prove cause-and-effect, and insulin
resistance data were available for only 49% of the original
participants.
• The AHA’s Life’s Essential 8 includes tips like screen-free bedtime
routines and pairing physical activity with social time to make it
easier to replace sedentary habits.


Takeaway
Even modest changes—30 minutes a day moved from sitting to sleep or,
better yet, to active movement—could help preserve cardiometabolic
health in teens.

Type 1 diabetes associated with higher risk of dementia

A study published March 18 2026 in Neurology (American Academy of Neurology) found that people with type 1 diabetes have a higher risk of developing dementia — nearly three times higher than people without diabetes. Type 2 diabetes was also linked to higher risk, about twice as high as those without diabetes.

The research involved 283,772 people (average age 64), including 5,442 with type 1 diabetes and 51,511 with type 2 diabetes, followed for about 2.4 years. During that period, 2.6% of those with type 1 diabetes developed dementia, compared with 1.8% of those with type 2 diabetes and 0.6% of those without diabetes. After adjusting for factors like age and education, the authors estimate roughly 65% of dementia cases among people with type 1 diabetes could be attributed to the condition.

Study author Jennifer Weuve noted that while type 1 diabetes is rare (≈5% of diabetes cases), people with it are living longer, so understanding its link to dementia is increasingly important. The study shows an association, not causation, and its limitation is that diagnoses came from electronic health records and surveys, which may miss some cases.

Type 2 diabetes risk varied widely among adults 18-40 with prediabetes

Here’s a summary of the press release:

Key Findings

  • A one-size-fits-all approach may miss young adults with prediabetes who need more intensive prevention.
  • In 662 adults ages 18-40 with prediabetes, the overall 5-year risk of progressing to Type 2 diabetes was 7.5%.
  • Risk rose to 10.9% for those who met criteria for GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) weight-loss medication (obesity or overweight + at least one condition like high blood pressure or high cholesterol).
  • Risk climbed to 15.1% for those with higher fasting glucose (110–125 mg/dL) and to 24.8% for those with both higher fasting glucose and GLP-1RA eligibility.

Implications

  • Using fasting glucose levels plus other risk factors (obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure) could help identify young adults who would benefit from earlier, targeted lifestyle interventions or, in some cases, GLP-1RA medication.
  • Lifestyle changes—weight loss, healthy eating, regular moderate physical activity—may slow progression and reduce heart/kidney risks.

Context & Caveats

  • Presented at the American Heart Association’s EPI|Lifestyle Scientific Sessions 2026 (Boston, March 17–20). The findings are from a research abstract, not yet peer-reviewed.
  • GLP-1RAs are FDA-approved for Type 2 diabetes and for weight loss in eligible patients, not for preventing Type 2 diabetes in prediabetes.
  • Cost-effectiveness of using GLP-1RAs for prevention isn’t known.
  • Study limitations: no hemoglobin A1c data (only fasting glucose); data collected 1985–2011 from three U.S. studies (Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, CARDIA, Framingham Heart Study Third Generation). Participants’ mean age was 32; 33% women, 47% Hispanic/Latino, 45% non-Hispanic White, 7% non-Hispanic Black.

Bringing diabetes treatment into focus

A new press release from Kyoto University talks about a new method for assessing beta cell mass in people with type 1 diabetes, which could totally change how we treat it.

Summary:

  • The Problem: In type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks insulin-producing beta cells. Current ways to measure the remaining beta cells are indirect and not always accurate, making it tough to know if new treatments are working.
  • The Solution: Researchers developed a noninvasive method using an 18F-labeled PET tracer that targets GLP-1 receptors, which are found on beta cells. This allows for direct imaging of the beta cell mass using PET/CT scans.
  • The Findings: In a study at Kyoto University Hospital, people with type 1 diabetes had lower pancreatic uptake of the tracer compared to those without diabetes. This measurement was also linked to lower A1c levels (meaning better blood sugar control) and less daily insulin needed. No major side effects were reported.
  • Why It Matters: If more studies confirm these results, this PET/CT method could give doctors a clear, quantitative way to measure beta cell mass. This would be super helpful for staging the disease, tracking its progression, and evaluating new therapies designed to preserve or restore beta cells.

One in three diagnosed with pre-diabetes or diabetes during dental appointment

A new study from King’s College London found that a simple finger-prick blood test during a routine dental appointment can catch pre-diabetes or diabetes in a surprising number of people.

Summary:

  • Main finding:: One in three people tested during a dental visit were diagnosed with pre-diabetes or diabetes, even if they didn’t know they had it.
  • Easy Test: They used an HbA1c finger-prick test that gives results in just six minutes.
  • Why Dentists? The study suggests dental appointments are a super valuable chance to screen for diabetes, especially for older patients, those with a higher BMI, or people who already have gum disease.
  • Strong Link: The research also showed a clear connection between severe gum disease and higher HbA1c levels, highlighting how oral health and metabolic health are totally linked.

A dentist might become your first line of defense against diabetes!

Biochemical parameters in patients with diabetic nephropathy versus individuals with diabetes alone

This press release from Xia & He Publishing Inc. [13-Feb-2026] outlines a study that compared biochemical parameters across four groups: patients with diabetic nephropathy (DNp), individuals with diabetes alone (DC), those with non-diabetic nephropathy (NC), and healthy controls.

What they found:

  • DNp Group: This group showed the most severe biochemical issues, with significantly higher fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen. This points to really poor blood sugar control and kidney damage.
  • DC Group: People in this group had elevated random glucose levels and notably worse lipid profiles, including high triglycerides, VLDL, LDL, and cholesterol.
  • NC Group: This group displayed elevated inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein and lactate dehydrogenase.
  • Overall: The study concluded that DNp patients have the most severe biochemical disruptions compared to the other groups, with both their glycemic and kidney function being significantly impaired. Different inflammatory and lipid patterns were observed across the groups.

Genetic link between T2D and high blood pressure uncovered

New research from the University of Surrey and Université de Lille reveals a genetic link between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and high blood pressure. People with one condition are more likely to develop the other due to shared genetic factors.

The study analyzed over 1,300 genetic variants and identified 5 clusters contributing to the development of both conditions, including metabolic syndrome and impaired pancreatic beta-cell function. This discovery could lead to earlier identification of high-risk individuals and more personalized care.

“Genetic risk is inherited and remains stable throughout life,” says Dr. Vincent Pascat, making it a valuable tool for precision medicine.

Special strength training with lighter weights effectively strengthens muscle health and metabolism in type 2 diabetes

A new study from the German Diabetes Center (DDZ) finds Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFRT) is a game-changer for people with type 2 diabetes.

BFRT uses lighter weights (30% of max strength) with cuffs on thighs to restrict blood flow, and it:

  • Boosts muscle strength as much as classic strength training
  • Reduces visceral fat (the bad stuff around organs)
  • Improves mitochondrial function (energy production)
  • Increases blood flow

It’s low-impact, so perfect for those who struggle with heavy weights or mobility issues. Participants felt stronger and more resilient, and some even signed up for gym memberships.

Everyday diabetes medicine could treat common cause of blindness

Researchers at the University of Liverpool have found that metformin, a common diabetes med, might help prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in Western countries.

In a study of 2,000 people with diabetes, those taking metformin were 37% less likely to develop intermediate AMD over 5 years. 🚀 The researchers analysed eye photos and adjusted for factors like age and sex.

This is a big deal, as AMD affects 1.1-1.8 million people in the UK and costs £11.1 billion annually. And currently, there’s no treatment for geographic atrophy (dry AMD) in the UK and Europe.

Markers at birth may help predict type 1 diabetes

Researchers have found markers in umbilical cord blood that could predict type 1 diabetes in kids later in life. The study, published in Nature Communications, analyzed data from over 16,000 babies in Sweden and found certain proteins linked to increased risk. These markers might be influenced by exposure to “forever chemicals” during pregnancy. The team used machine learning and supercomputing power to identify these patterns, offering a potential new screening test at birth. Next steps involve exploring interventions or lifestyle changes to offset these risks.