Uncover the Overlooked Type of Diabetes Affecting Young, Slim Individuals: An Urgent Call for Awareness and Recognition.
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Recent discussions among healthcare professionals have highlighted a previously overlooked form of diabetes that primarily affects young adults and those who are underweight. Known as type 5 diabetes, this condition is estimated to impact around 25 million individuals worldwide and is associated with inadequate nutritional intake.
Diabetes occurs when the body struggles to produce or effectively utilize insulin, a crucial hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels. The emergence of type 5 diabetes predominantly affects teenagers and young adults, particularly those who have experienced severe food insecurity during their formative years.
This malnutrition can impair the body’s ability to secrete insulin, leading to this unique form of diabetes.
Characteristics of Type 5 Diabetes
Research indicates that type 5 diabetes is most prevalent in individuals from low and middle-income countries.
Experts express concern that this condition is frequently misdiagnosed or inadequately treated due to the absence of established treatment guidelines. A team of 50 researchers from various countries, including the UK, emphasized these issues in a recent publication in The Lancet Global Health, urging the international diabetes community to acknowledge this distinct form of diabetes.
Understanding the Implications
This call to action underscores the importance of recognizing type 5 diabetes, as it likely impacts the quality of life for millions globally. While the World Health Organization (WHO) previously categorized this condition as malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus in the late 1980s, this classification was abandoned in 1999 due to insufficient evidence. This oversight has contributed to the ongoing challenge of accurately identifying and treating type 5 diabetes.
Unlike type 1 diabetes, characterized by the pancreas’s inability to produce insulin, or type 2 diabetes, where insulin production is insufficient or ineffective, type 5 diabetes presents a unique challenge. Individuals diagnosed with type 5 diabetes can produce insulin, but their pancreas is often underdeveloped, leading to insufficient insulin production. Consequently, conventional treatments designed for type 1 or type 2 diabetes may be ineffective—and potentially harmful.
Identifying the Risk Factors
Research suggests that type 5 diabetes predominantly affects young males in regions such as Asia and Africa. Those at risk often include individuals who experienced undernutrition during pregnancy or faced persistent food scarcity during childhood and adolescence. The implications of these early life experiences can manifest as serious health issues later in life.
The Need for Research and Awareness
Despite alarming statistics indicating that at least 25 million individuals could be affected by type 5 diabetes, the condition remains significantly under-researched and under-recognized. The authors of the report emphasize that misdiagnoses and underdiagnoses could severely impact the clinical care of millions worldwide.
Dr. Allan Vaag, a co-author of the Lancet paper and professor of endocrinology at Lund University, highlights the lack of awareness regarding this condition, particularly in underserved regions affected by natural disasters and conflicts. This demographic often comprises the poorest individuals, amplifying the urgency of addressing their needs.
Dietary Management and Treatment Options
Experts recommend that patients diagnosed with type 5 diabetes adopt diets rich in protein and complex carbohydrates, such as lentils and whole grains, to help manage their condition. Previous studies have shown that such diets, high in fiber and protein, can aid in slowing carbohydrate digestion and delaying absorption into the bloodstream, thereby helping to prevent rapid spikes in blood sugar levels.
The chronic nature of diabetes is evident, with approximately 4.6 million individuals currently living with the condition in the UK alone, a figure that continues to rise. The financial burden on the NHS for diabetes treatment is substantial, estimated at around £10 billion annually. The complications associated with untreated diabetes, such as heart disease and strokes, highlight the importance of early detection and proper management.
Diabetes occurs when the body struggles to produce or effectively utilize insulin, a crucial hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels. The emergence of type 5 diabetes predominantly affects teenagers and young adults, particularly those who have experienced severe food insecurity during their formative years. This malnutrition can impair the body’s ability to secrete insulin, leading to this unique form of diabetes.0
