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.

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Latest Type 2 Diabetes News and Research

Early morning workouts may improve cardiometabolic health

People who regularly exercised early in the morning were significantly less likely to have coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes or obesity compared with people who exercised later in the day, according to a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26).

19 Mar 2026

People with type 1 diabetes face higher risk of developing dementia

Having type 1 diabetes is associated with a higher risk of developing dementia, according to a study published March 18, 2026, in Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

18 Mar 2026

Stopping GLP-1 treatment linked to increase in risk of major cardiovascular events

Following a rapid increase in popularity of GLP-1 drugs for diabetes and weight loss, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, approximately one in eight U.S. adults now take these medications, which also provide cardiovascular benefits.

18 Mar 2026

Study finds GLP-1 medicines cut fat while preserving muscle function

Researchers found that GLP-1 medicines caused weight loss mainly through fat reduction, with only modest decreases in absolute muscle mass and no disproportionate loss of muscle function. In mice, physical performance improved, while in a small 12-week human pilot trial, strength was preserved despite reduced thigh muscle size.

18 Mar 2026

More US adolescents are obese but fewer are trying to lose weight

The rising obesity rates in American adolescents, coupled with declining weight-loss efforts, signal urgent needs for targeted public health interventions.

18 Mar 2026

Weight-loss drugs linked to preterm birth risk in women with pre-existing diabetes

Weight loss drugs have been linked to an increased risk of premature births among women who took them inadvertently just before or during early pregnancy to treat pre-existing diabetes.

17 Mar 2026

Tailored prediabetes treatment may better prevent Type 2 diabetes

A one-size-fits-all approach to prediabetes treatment may miss the opportunity to implement an early, more intensive, tailored prevention approach for those with the highest risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's EPI|Lifestyle Scientific Sessions 2026.

17 Mar 2026

MIND diet may protect against structural brain deterioration

The combined Mediterranean and blood pressure lowering diet (MIND) may slow the structural changes related to brain aging, finds research published online in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.

17 Mar 2026

How one antibiotic dose can reshape your gut microbiome for years

Long-term registry-linked analysis of nearly 15,000 adults shows that antibiotic use is associated with persistent changes in gut microbiome diversity and composition for up to 4–8 years. These effects vary by antibiotic class, with clindamycin, fluoroquinolones, and flucloxacillin showing the strongest and most sustained associations.

17 Mar 2026

Researchers show how smartwatches can help identify insulin resistance

Researchers developed a scalable framework that predicts insulin resistance using wearable-device signals, routine blood biomarkers, and demographic data, with stronger performance when these data streams were combined. The study also introduced an AI agent to explain insulin resistance risk, interpret results, and support earlier metabolic risk screening.

17 Mar 2026

Expert consensus validates UDFF for noninvasive fatty liver assessment

As the global burden of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome continues to rise, fatty liver disease has become one of the most prevalent chronic liver conditions worldwide. Its progressive forms, including metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatohepatitis (MASH), cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, now represent a major public health challenge.

17 Mar 2026

Patients who stop GLP-1 drugs often restart or try alternatives

The study highlights that after stopping GLP-1 medications, many patients resume treatment or try alternatives, influencing weight management strategies.

17 Mar 2026

New polygenic risk scores improve prediction of metabolic disease outcomes

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity are metabolic conditions with many causes, including overlapping and distinct genetic features.

16 Mar 2026

Why do some people respond better to GLP-1 drugs? Gut microbiome may hold clues

A review in the Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology examines emerging evidence linking glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), the gut microbiome, and obesity treatment outcomes. The authors conclude that microbiome changes seen during therapy are most likely driven by diet, behavior, and weight loss, although microbial profiling may eventually help predict patient responses.

15 Mar 2026

Updated guideline emphasizes earlier treatment for high cholesterol

The American College of Cardiology (ACC), the American Heart Association and nine other leading medical associations, today issued an updated guideline for the management of dyslipidemia-abnormal levels of one or more types of lipids or lipoproteins in the blood, including cholesterol and triglycerides.

13 Mar 2026