Numerous international experts have called for health authorities to officially recognize a neglected form of diabetes, known as type 5 diabetes, which mainly affects young people and underweight people and can be deadly.
According to reports, this new type of diabetes could affect up to 25 million people worldwide and is caused by inadequate nutrition, especially during childhood, damaging the pancreas' ability to produce insulin.
Diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin – the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels – or when it does not use it effectively.
But type 5 diabetes is unique: patients can produce insulin and are not resistant to it, but their pancreas is underdeveloped and does not produce enough. For this reason, treatment for both type 1 and type 2 is often ineffective, and may even be harmful.
Spread and risk
Experts warn that type 5 diabetes occurs mainly in adolescents and young adults who are underweight or have experienced long periods of malnutrition, especially in countries in Asia and Africa. Inadequate nutrition during pregnancy and childhood appears to increase the risk.
According to Professor Allan Vaag, co-author of a study published in Lancet Global Health:
"We simply don't know how many patients there are. They live in underserved and understudied regions, often affected by natural disasters, war and famine."
Experts warn that misdiagnosis and lack of recognition of the disease may have negatively impacted the medical care and lifespan of millions of people.
How can type 5 diabetes be managed?
Researchers suggest diets rich in protein and complex carbohydrates, such as lentils, beans, and whole grains, to help stabilize blood sugar. High-fiber and protein foods help slow the digestion of carbohydrates and delay their absorption, preventing sudden spikes in blood sugar after meals.
Consequences of diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that now affects 4.6 million people in the UK, according to Diabetes UK. It can be fatal and causes serious risks to the heart, kidneys, nerves and eyesight, as well as significantly increasing the chances of amputations. Medical care for diabetics costs the NHS around £10 billion a year.
Calling experts
The group of 50 researchers from 11 countries, including the United Kingdom, has called on the World Health Organization and the International Diabetes Federation to promote more research into type 5 diabetes, including its phenotype, pathophysiology and best ways to treat it.
Experts warn: "This disease affects the quality and longevity of life of millions of people and must be treated urgently." /GazetaExpress/
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