Healthcare (Commonwealth Union) – Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes, is a chronic health condition characterized by high blood sugar levels. It is a global epidemic, affecting millions of people worldwide. The causes, symptoms, and treatment options for type 2 diabetes, have been the centre of much attention by researchers as providing a comprehensive understanding of this prevalent health issue has been urgent with rising numbers of individuals with the condition.
The primary cause of type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance, a condition where the body’s cells do not effectively respond to insulin, a hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels. This resistance leads to the pancreas producing more insulin to compensate, but eventually, it cannot keep up, resulting in high blood sugar levels. Several factors contribute to insulin resistance, including genetics, obesity, physical inactivity, and an unhealthy diet.
A study by Flinders University suggests that avoiding bright light at night may help lower the risk of diabetes.
Published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, the research highlights the strong link between light exposure and the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes, a chronic disease affecting the body’s insulin use, develops over many years and is often linked to lifestyle factors that include inactivity and obesity, making it challenging to manage.
Associate Professor Andrew Phillips from the College of Medicine and Public Health indicated that they discovered that exposure to brighter light at night correlates with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
In an extensive modeling study, researchers examined if personal light exposure patterns could forecast the risk of diabetes. They utilized data from roughly 85,000 individuals and approximately 13 million hours of light sensor recordings.
The participants, all of whom were free from type 2 diabetes at the study’s start, wore wrist devices for a week to monitor their light exposure continuously, day and night.
The researchers then followed these participants for the next nine years to see if any developed type 2 diabetes.
“Light exposure at night can disrupt our circadian rhythms, leading to changes in insulin secretion and glucose metabolism,” explained Associate Professor Andrew Phillips.
“Changes in insulin secretion and glucose metabolism caused by disrupted circadian rhythms affect the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels, which can ultimately lead to the development of type 2 diabetes.”
Increased exposure to light at night (between 12:30 am and 6:00 am) was associated with a heightened risk of developing type 2 diabetes, irrespective of daytime light exposure.
The study considered various factors linked to type 2 diabetes, including lifestyle choices, sleep habits, shift work, diet, and mental health.
Even after accounting for these factors, the results indicated that increased nighttime light exposure remained a significant predictor of diabetes onset.
Associate Professor Phillips indicated that the findings revealed that exposure to brighter light at night correlates with a higher risk of developing diabetes, with a dose-dependent relationship between light exposure and risk.
“Our findings suggest that reducing your light exposure at night and maintaining a dark environment may be an easy and cheap way to prevent or delay the development of diabetes,” said Associate Professor Phillips.
If left untreated, type 2 diabetes can lead to severe complications, such as heart disease, kidney damage, nerve damage, and vision problems, among others. The treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes is managing type 2 diabetes involves a combination of lifestyle modifications, medication, and regular monitoring of blood sugar levels.
Understanding the causes of type 2 diabetes its symptoms, and treatment options is crucial for effective management and prevention of complications. By adopting a healthy lifestyle, taking prescribed medications, and monitoring blood sugar levels regularly and as indicated in the study the need to take light into consideration, individuals with type 2 diabetes may have better options to tackle the condition.
