Study Links Lower Bisphenol A Exposure to Type 2 Diabetes Management

Recent research indicates that reducing exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), a widely-used industrial chemical, can potentially lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The study's findings were presented at the 84th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in Orlando, Florida. This research is groundbreaking as it is the first to directly demonstrate that BPA administration may elevate the risk of type 2 diabetes.

BPA is commonly found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, materials used to manufacture various consumer goods such as baby bottles, food containers, and tableware. Being an endocrine disruptor, BPA can interfere with the body's hormonal balance and has been linked to increased diabetes risk. Until now, no studies had conclusively shown that BPA directly raises this risk in adults.

Dr. Robert Gabbay, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer of the ADA and Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, emphasized the importance of product safety. "With the rising diabetes rates in the US, our responsibility is to ensure safety in our products and homes," he stated. He highlighted the need for informed public health policies based on this emerging evidence.

In the study, a double-blind method was employed where participants were given either a placebo or BPA at the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) safe dose of 50 micrograms per kilogram of body weight over four days. The study involved 40 healthy, non-active adults, predominantly non-Hispanic white, with an average age of 21.3 years and an average BMI of 22.1. Initially, participants followed a low-BPA diet for two days, during which urine, blood, and peripheral insulin sensitivity were measured. Subsequently, they were divided into two groups, one receiving BPA and the other a placebo, and their outcomes were re-evaluated.

The results indicated that BPA exposure significantly reduced peripheral insulin sensitivity after four days. While body weight and fasting blood glucose levels showed no significant differences between the placebo and BPA groups, urine BPA levels were notably higher in the BPA group. Specifically, peripheral insulin sensitivity decreased in the BPA group, whereas it remained stable in the placebo group.

Study author, Dr. Todd Hagobian, underscored the significance of understanding all contributing factors to diabetes, given its status as a leading cause of death in the US. He noted the surprising finding that reducing BPA exposure, by using BPA-free products, might lower diabetes risk. This suggests that the current US EPA recommended safe dose of BPA might need reevaluation, and healthcare providers could advise patients to minimize BPA exposure.

Moving forward, two additional studies are planned to further explore these findings. The first will investigate whether a lower dose of BPA over an extended period increases diabetes risk. The second will examine whether aerobic exercise, known to reduce diabetes risk, can mitigate the adverse effects of BPA exposure.

The ADA's 84th Scientific Sessions, held from June 21-24, is the largest global meeting focused on diabetes research and care. The event attracts over 11,000 professionals worldwide, offering a platform to share groundbreaking research and advancements in diabetes treatment. The ADA has been a pivotal organization in diabetes research and advocacy for 83 years, aiming to improve the lives of over 136 million Americans affected by diabetes or prediabetes.