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

Researchers followed glucose monitor users for three years and found a possible kidney benefit

A study of more than 25,000 analytical group assignments involving high-risk adults with type 2 diabetes found that sustained real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) was associated with substantial improvements in blood sugar control over three years. Continued use was also linked to lower levels of a marker of kidney damage after three years, although researchers found no evidence that the technology preserved kidney filtration function.

12 Oct 2026

What people ate at the start of a 20-year study was linked to their heart failure odds

Researchers linked higher baseline diet quality to lower odds of developing heart failure over 20 years among 2,159 Greek adults initially free of cardiovascular disease. Healthy-food consumption showed the most consistent association, but the observational study cannot establish that dietary changes prevent heart failure.

11 Oct 2026

Better blood pressure control could prevent over 518,000 annual deaths worldwide

Effective management of high blood pressure could prevent more than 518,000 annual deaths from cardiovascular disease around the world, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2026.

11 Oct 2026

Stopping GLP-1 drugs often brings weight back. A small trial suggests ways to slow it

In a randomized pilot trial of 39 adults, researchers found that participants receiving medically tailored meals or Noom regained about 3.6% of their body weight over four months after stopping GLP-1 therapy, compared with about 11% under usual care. These exploratory findings suggest structured support may slow early weight regain, but the small sample and short follow-up leave lasting benefits uncertain.

11 Oct 2026

Molecular regulator CA8 may offer new therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes

Maintaining healthy blood glucose levels involves striking a balance between the glucose produced by the liver during fasting, and the insulin released from pancreatic beta cells after meals.

9 Oct 2026

Cutting sugary drinks helps reduce childhood obesity, study finds

While the adult obesity rate appears to be slowing in the United States, childhood obesity remains historically high, affecting nearly 1 in 5 school-aged children.

9 Oct 2026

New immune aging map helps decode future chronic disease risks

While birthday candles measure the number of years someone has lived, they don't always tell the full story about someone's health.

9 Oct 2026

Consuming fat before carbohydrates reduces post-meal blood glucose

In treating diabetes, post-meal elevation of glucose levels is an important therapeutic target. Existing clinical studies indicate that eating vegetables, protein, or fat before carbohydrates can moderate a post-meal rise in blood glucose, pointing to the potential of meal-sequencing as a simple and sustainable dietary strategy.

8 Oct 2026

Longer sleep duration linked to diabetic kidney disease risk

People with type 2 diabetes who sleep longer may have an increased risk of developing or worsening existing diabetic kidney disease, according to a study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society.

8 Oct 2026

Expert consensus statement outlines shared medical appointments to improve chronic disease care

The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) has published an expert consensus statement identifying best practices for delivering lifestyle interventions through shared medical appointments (SMAs), a care model that combines individualized medical care with group support.

8 Oct 2026

Potassium-rich DASH diet does not cause hyperkalemia in individuals taking blood pressure drugs

Increased consumption of potassium-rich foods that are part of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet did not raise blood potassium to dangerous levels in people taking medications to lower their blood pressure, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2026.

8 Oct 2026

Nutritionally similar meals might not affect your body the same way

Ultra-processed foods trigger distinct metabolic and brain responses, influencing insulin release and nutrient processing despite similar nutritional content.

8 Oct 2026

Ancient gut microbes migrated with humans across the globe

As waves of humans left Africa tens of thousands of years ago, eventually populating the entire planet, they were joined on their world-conquering ride by the trillions of microorganisms that compose the gut microbiome.

7 Oct 2026

Metformin in pregnancy does not raise developmental risk in children

Metformin use during pregnancy shows no link to developmental problems at school entry.

7 Oct 2026

High-fiber diet beats metformin for blood sugar and weight in trial

High-fiber diet improves blood sugar and weight more than metformin in a small diabetes trial.

7 Oct 2026

Study links pregnancy complications to future heart and kidney disease

Women with a complication in the latest pregnancy, or in a previous pregnancy, face an elevated risk of developing cardiometabolic-renal conditions in subsequent years, suggests a UK study published online in the open access journal BMJ Medicine.

6 Oct 2026

New global definition changes how childhood obesity is identified

A new global definition of clinical obesity classifies far fewer children as obese than the widely used body mass index (BMI), according to a large international study. And the findings could lead to changes to how childhood obesity is identified and managed.

6 Oct 2026