This Weird Type 2 Diabetes Factor Changes Everything

Almost all genuinely effective programs to prevent or manage type 2 diabetes involve a healthy diet and exercise, two of the things that most people struggle very hard to do.

This prompted Dutch researchers to look for alternative strategies against diabetes, and they landed on a factor that at first might look totally unrelated to diet and exercise.

The researchers analyzed the health information of 2,861 people collected by the Maastricht Study, which included their blood pressure, body mass index, cardiovascular disease status and history, diabetes status, smoking, alcohol intake, and so forth.

They also gave them a long questionnaire to obtain detailed information about their social lives and networks.

Though their findings were predictable, the extent of them was surprising:

1. Compared to people with normal glucose control, for every one fewer member in their social network, there was an associated increase in the odds of a prior type 2 diabetes diagnosis: 5% higher for men and 8% higher for women.

2. Compared to people with normal glucose control, for every one fewer member in their social network, there was an associated increase in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: 10% higher for men and 12% higher for women.

3. For men only, living alone carried 94% higher odds of a prior diagnosis, 84% higher odds of a new diagnosis, and 59% higher odds of prediabetes.

4. In men, social isolation increased their odds of a prior diagnosis by 42%.

5. In women, social isolation increased their odds of a prior diagnosis by 112%, and their odds of prediabetes by 60%.

This is by far the most detailed study on the relationship between social characteristics and type 2 diabetes. Previous studies only looked at isolated parts of their participant’s social networks and habits.

But even if getting new friends won’t hurt, it’s not going to be enough to completely cure your type 2 diabetes. For that you need to take the 3 steps found here…