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# Inorganic arsenic can raise type 2 diabetes mellitus risk
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/inorganic_arsenic_type_2_diabetes_mellitus_0116140959/
- Published: 2014-01-16T22:57:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:15:56.000Z
- Description: Pooling 17 studies, researchers led by Dongfeng Zhang found people exposed to high inorganic arsenic in drinking water were 75% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those with the lowest exposure, with each 100 ug/L increment linked to a 13% higher risk.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Diabetes, Avoiding Illness, #vivvo-import

Thursday Jan 16, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study in Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health suggests that chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic may increase risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus which inflicts an estimated 26 million Americans.

The study led by Dongfeng Zhang from The Medical College of Qingdao University in Qingdao, Shandong, China and colleagues shows that men and women who were exposed to high levels of inorganic arsenic in drinking water were 75% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus, compared with those who had lowest levels of arsenic in drinking water.

The study based on data from 17 studies also found the effect of exposure to inorganic arsenic on the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus was dose-dependent, that is, every 100 ug/L increment of inorganic arsenic in drinking water was associated with 13% increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus in many cases can be prevented by following an adequate or healthful diet. It has been known that trans fat, saturated fat and added sugar can also increase risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Preventatives against the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus include spirulina (a type blue-green algae that can help fight type 2 diabetes mellitus), bitter melon, curcumin (a very effective preventative), and cinnamon (Be aware that the cinnamon produced in China, cinnamomum cassia or Chinese cassia, contains high levels of a toxin called coumarin that can damage the liver (of course other things such as high doses of acetaminophen can also damage the liver).

High arsenic is found in chicken and rice. (David Liu)