Toxins and Diabetes Mellitus: An Environmental Connection?

Abstract

Several international studies have examined the relationship between environmental influences and diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive review of those findings from the scientific literature of the past 30 years. Literature relevant to the relationship between diabetes and environmental toxins was reviewed. The literature search was conducted using the National Library of Medicine, Expanded Academic, Health Reference Center, and PubMed (Medline) search mechanisms. The Internet (World Wide Web) was also used to obtain general information. The findings suggest that two environmental toxins, arsenic and dioxin (dibenzo-p-dioxins), may have some relationship to an increased risk for diabetes. It should be noted that results only indicate a possible relationship between diabetes and environmental toxins. The authors strongly suggest that further studies be conducted to determine the true nature and extent of the relationships reported in the literature.