Phthalate exposure may increase diabetes risk in women
ENDOCRINE-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in plastics may contribute to diabetes risk in women, according to a new study.
Phthalates are chemicals widely used in plastics such as personal care products, children’s toys, and food and beverage packaging. Phthalate exposure is associated with reduced fertility, diabetes and other endocrine disorders.
The researchers studied 1,308 women from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation-(SWAN) over six years to see if phthalates contributed to incident diabetes in this population. About five percent of the women developed diabetes over six years. These women had concentrations of phthalates in their urine similar to middle-aged women in the U.S. in the early 2000s, when the urine samples were collected.
White women exposed to high levels of some phthalates had a 30-63 percent higher chance of developing diabetes, while the harmful chemicals were not linked to diabetes in Black or Asian women. They believe it may have something to do with the different types of cosmetic products used by different races.
Diabetes patients are at risk of amputation. Narrowed arteries can lead to reduced blood flow to the extremities — such as the feet.
This may lead to wounds being slow to heal, or not healing at all. Should an infection then develop and spread to the bone, doctors may have no option but to amputate.
Type 2 diabetes is linked to lifestyle factors, such as obesity, a poor diet and not getting regular exercise.
Type 1 diabetes, on the other hand, is genetic and normally shows up early in life.
Dr. Sung Kyun Park, a Michigan epidemiologist who led the study, said: ‘Our research found phthalates may contribute to a higher incidence of diabetes in women, especially White women, over a six-year period.
“People are exposed to phthalates daily, increasing their risk of several metabolic diseases. Our research is a step in the right direction towards better understanding phthalates’ effect on metabolic diseases, but further investigation is needed,” Dr. Park added. (The Endocrine Society)
