Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes, formerly called adult-onset or noninsulindependent diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes. People can develop type 2 diabetes at any age, even during childhood. This form of diabetes usually begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which fat, muscle, and liver cells do not use insulin properly. At first, the pancreas keeps up with the added demand by producing more insulin. In time, however, it loses the ability to secrete enough insulin in response to meals. People who are overweight and inactive are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Treatment includes taking diabetes medicines, making wise food choices, exercising regularly, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, and taking aspirin daily—for some.

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a common metabolic condition that develops when the body fails to produce enough insulin or when insulin fails to work properly, which is referred to as insulin resistance. Insulin is the hormone that stimulates cells to uptake glucose from the blood to use for energy.

Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Pathophysiology

Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms

Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis

Type 2 Diabetes Screening and Prevention

Type 2 Diabetes Treatment

Living With Type 2 Diabetes

Vitamin D and Type 2 Diabetes

Is a Plant-Based Diet Good for Type 2 Diabetes?

Are Low Carbohydrate Diets Good for Type 2 Diabetes?

What is Insulin Resistance?

Insulin Resistance Pathophysiology

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The Risks of Prediabetes

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Diabetes in Men versus Women

Insulin Medication

Latest Type 2 Diabetes News and Research

Study shows no connection between PM2.5 spikes and major cardiovascular events

A Danish cohort study investigated whether long-term exposure to repeated monthly peaks of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) raises the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. Despite higher PM2.5 peak exposure among affected individuals, no significant association with cardiovascular risk was found.

7 May 2025

Canadian study links ultra processed foods to poor health outcomes

A landmark study exploring Canadians' consumption of chips, frozen pizzas, breakfast cereals and other ultra-processed foods typically loaded with fat, sugar and additives has confirmed these foods are directly and significantly linked to poor health outcomes.

7 May 2025

Survey shows many U.S. adults know plant-based diets improve health

Half of U.S. adults say they know eating a plant-based diet can improve their health and help prevent chronic diseases, according to a new Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine/Morning Consult survey.

7 May 2025

Low blood sugar linked to retinal damage in diabetic eye disease

In a new National Institutes of Health-funded study led by scientists at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers say they have determined that low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, may promote a breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier, an important boundary that regulates the flow of nutrients, waste and water in and out of the retina.

6 May 2025

Diabetes drug shows promise for treating prostate cancer

An international team of scientists led by the Medical University of Vienna has identified similarities in the mechanisms of diabetes and cancer: as the researchers show, the protein PPARγ, which is central to the regulation of metabolic processes, can also influence the growth of prostate cancer cells.

6 May 2025

Want to eat slower? Pick meals that need chopsticks, not hands

A new study from Japan reveals that eating meals like bento boxes—rather than pizza—can slow down eating and boost chewing, regardless of whether vegetables come first or last. It's not the order, but the kind of food, that matters.

5 May 2025

Semaglutide clears liver inflammation and cuts fibrosis in MASH patients, trial shows

A phase 3 trial shows that once-weekly semaglutide significantly improves liver histology in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). The interim results also reveal meaningful weight loss and improved cardiometabolic markers, with a favorable safety profile.

4 May 2025

Black coffee improves insulin sensitivity in women, study finds

Two daily cups of coffee, especially black, are linked to lower insulin resistance and fasting insulin levels in Korean women, suggesting coffee may improve glucose metabolism. The effect was not observed with coffee containing sugar or cream.

4 May 2025

Ultra-processed foods linked to higher psoriasis risk

A large UK Biobank study found that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is associated with an increased risk of developing psoriasis. Each 10% increase in UPF intake raised psoriasis risk by 6%, with obesity and inflammation partially mediating this effect.

4 May 2025

Semaglutide shows promise in treating severe liver disease

Semaglutide effectively treats liver disease in two thirds of patients, new research has found.

30 Apr 2025

Curcumin shows promise for treating obesity, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases

Researchers explore the medicinal role of curcumin in the treatment and prevention of neuroinflammation and metabolic disorders.

30 Apr 2025

Disrupted body clocks raise risk of early death, study finds

A large cohort study from China and the U.S. shows that Circadian Syndrome (CircS)—a cluster of metabolic and behavioral disruptions—is linked to higher all-cause and cause-specific mortality. The risk increases with the number of CircS components, especially among adults aged 40–60.

29 Apr 2025

Largest study to date reveals high blood sugar accelerates heart damage in healthy youth

In the present study, 1,595 adolescents drawn from the University of Bristol's Children of the 90s cohort were followed up from age 17 until 24 years. To assess the prevalence of prediabetes, which refers to high fasting blood glucose levels, two alternative cutpoints were used, a stricter cutpoint of ≥5.6 mmol/L recommended by the American Diabetes Association, and ≥6.1 mmol/L , which is the present recommendation in many countries.

29 Apr 2025

Obesity changes how the gut responds to plant compounds, researchers report

Researchers found that the impact of polyphenols rutin and genistein on the human fecal metabolome varies significantly by body mass index (BMI). Lower BMI individuals showed more diverse metabolic responses, revealing how gut health and obesity could shape polyphenol metabolism.

28 Apr 2025

MASLD in children linked to increased mortality and chronic complications

Researchers from University of California San Diego have found that children diagnosed with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) are at significantly increased risk of premature death and serious long-term health complications.

28 Apr 2025

What’s behind Gen Z’s skepticism about Ozempic and Wegovy

A U.S. study of over 500 youth aged 14–24 found high awareness but widespread hesitation about using semaglutide for weight loss. Concerns focused on safety, social stigma, and a preference for lifestyle changes like diet and exercise.

24 Apr 2025

Common diabetes drug can reduce the pain of people with knee osteoarthritis and obesity

A common diabetes drug can reduce the pain of people with knee osteoarthritis and overweight or obesity, possibly delaying the need for knee replacements, Monash University-led research has found.

24 Apr 2025

Breakthrough DNA editing in Lactobacillus offers safer probiotics

A Kobe University team was able to edit the DNA of Lactobacillus strains directly without a template from other organisms.

24 Apr 2025

Body image concerns drive interest in GLP-1 weight loss drugs, study finds

A new study from Rutgers University links higher body dissatisfaction, BMI, and maladaptive weight loss behaviors with interest in GLP-1 medications for weight loss. Conversely, body appreciation appears to protect against this interest, especially in the face of potential side effects.

23 Apr 2025

UK public backs food tax, if it makes healthy food more affordable

A nationally representative UK survey found that 48% of adults support taxing unhealthy foods, with support rising to 72% if revenues make healthy foods cheaper. Public backing was strongest among non-manual workers and Londoners, and weakest among lower-income and unemployed groups.

23 Apr 2025