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.

Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis

The Risks of Prediabetes

Type 2 Diabetes Screening and Prevention

Insulin Resistance and Parkinson's Disease

Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms

Are Low Carbohydrate Diets Good for Type 2 Diabetes?

Insulin Resistance Diagnosis

Insulin Medication

Insulin Resistance Pathophysiology

Causes of Insulin Resistance

Fibromyalgia and Diabetes

See more featured articles »

Diabetes in Men versus Women

Does the Keto Diet Increase the Risk of Diabetes?

Living With Type 2 Diabetes

What is Diabetes?

Is a Plant-Based Diet Good for Type 2 Diabetes?

What is Insulin Resistance?

Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Pathophysiology

Insulin Resistance Symptoms

Insulin Resistance Treatment

Vitamin D and Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes Treatment

Latest Type 2 Diabetes News and Research

Semaglutide and tirzepatide linked to fewer alcohol-related hospital visits

Newer GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, were associated with fewer alcohol-related ED visits or hospitalizations among adults with alcohol use disorder and type 2 diabetes or obesity.

24 Jul 2026

Emerging PPAR therapies offer new hope for primary biliary cholangitis

Primary biliary cholangitis is a rare autoimmune disease that affects the liver and can progress to cirrhosis. It occurs when the immune system attacks the small bile ducts within the liver. As a result, bile builds up, leading to inflammation and progressive liver damage. Although a first-line treatment exists, 40% of patients do not respond adequately to it or cannot tolerate it, so new treatment options need to be developed.

23 Jul 2026

GLP-1 receptor agonists may increase hair loss risk

Use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity are associated with an increased risk of hair loss (alopecia) in adults with type 2 diabetes, finds a study published by The BMJ today.

22 Jul 2026

Urbanization reshapes gut microbiomes across diverse South Asian communities

Urbanization is one of the most consequential demographic shifts of the 21st century. As communities move from traditional or rural to urbanized ways of life, changes in diet, lifestyle, and environmental exposures can influence many aspects of human biology and health.

22 Jul 2026

Red meat intake emerges as a potential pancreatic cancer risk factor

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 16 studies involving nearly 2 million participants found that higher red meat intake was associated with a modestly higher risk of pancreatic cancer. Processed meat intake showed no statistically significant association, although variation between studies means a small effect cannot be excluded.

22 Jul 2026

Generic semaglutide could improve diabetes treatment affordability in Canada

In a novel analysis examining the economic implications of generic semaglutide entering the Canadian market, researchers predict that the anticipated price reductions of up to 70% will dramatically increase both the cost-effectiveness and health system affordability of therapy options for patients with type 2 diabetes and high cardiorenal risk.

22 Jul 2026

Newer GLP-1 medications may reduce alcohol-related hospitalization risk

Use of newer GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide or tirzepatide) for obesity or diabetes by people with alcohol-use disorder was associated with a reduction in alcohol-related admissions to hospital, finds a study published online in the open access journal BMJ Open.

21 Jul 2026

Moderate coffee intake may support heart health, AHA says

The American Heart Association finds that habitual coffee consumption is associated with lower risks of several cardiovascular outcomes, although most evidence comes from observational studies. Moderate intake is generally safe for most adults, while energy drinks and individual caffeine sensitivity may increase cardiovascular concerns.

21 Jul 2026

Experts urge focus on prevention to tackle global heart failure

Heart failure already affects more than 60 million people worldwide and is one of the leading causes of hospitalization among people over the age of 65.

21 Jul 2026

Medically tailored grocery deliveries improve blood sugar control among diabetes patients

A study from researchers at top US health insurance and medical services provider Kaiser Permanente, the Food is Medicine Institute at the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University and The George Institute for Global Health found medically tailored grocery deliveries improved blood sugar control among adults living with type 2 diabetes who have public health insurance, when compared with usual care.

21 Jul 2026

Study tests chronotype’s liver link and finds no significant association

Researchers found no significant association between chronotype and FibroScan-derived liver fat or stiffness in 119 medication-naïve adults with overweight or obesity. The exploratory findings cannot exclude smaller effects, particularly for fibrosis, and require confirmation in larger longitudinal studies.

21 Jul 2026

Study reveals geographic gaps in breastfeeding initiation across America

A nationwide analysis led by a UC Riverside (Calif.) professor provides one of the clearest pictures yet of where mothers are least likely to begin breastfeeding their babies in the United States and what circumstances associate with lower rates.

20 Jul 2026

Semaglutide vs. liraglutide: Head-to-head study reveals a diabetes risk difference

Researchers compared semaglutide with liraglutide in 57,456 insured adults without recorded diabetes or cardiovascular disease who initiated formulations indicated for chronic weight management. Semaglutide users had a lower risk of incident diabetes, particularly beyond six months of follow-up, but limited cardiovascular events prevented a precise comparison of cardiovascular risk.

20 Jul 2026

Semaglutide fuels rapid growth in US GLP-1RA use as payments rise

Nationally representative US data show GLP-1RA use rose 230% among adults with diabetes and 643% among those without reported diabetes between 2017 and 2022, largely driven by semaglutide. Mean annual out-of-pocket payments decreased, but mean total annual payments per user increased, raising concerns about long-term affordability.

20 Jul 2026

High doses of caffeine from energy drinks cause cardiovascular harm

Previous studies have found that caffeine is the world's most popular stimulant and psychoactive substance, and coffee is the most common way people consume caffeine.

20 Jul 2026

GLP-1 weight-loss drugs may also reduce binge eating

Research indicates GLP-1RAs may effectively reduce binge eating severity, offering a complementary approach to existing psychological therapies for obesity.

20 Jul 2026

Popular diabetes drugs do not alter the risk of developing a blinding eye condition

An estimated 27% of U.S. adults with diabetes are using glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) - a type of medication that mimics the GLP-1 hormone - to lower blood sugar and support weight loss. Some research has suggested that their use can reduce the risk of developing other diseases.

17 Jul 2026

Diet helps people lose weight regardless of genetic obesity risk

A study reveals dietary coaching aids weight loss equally in individuals with high and low genetic obesity risk, challenging genetic determinism in weight loss.

17 Jul 2026

Maternal diets high in UPFs may influence children’s health years later

A narrative review of 84 publications links higher ultra-processed food intake during pregnancy and early childhood with poorer diet quality, maternal complications, childhood obesity, and potential immune, metabolic, and neurodevelopmental effects. The authors identify possible microbiome and biopsychosocial pathways but emphasize that the predominantly observational evidence cannot establish causality.

17 Jul 2026

Study links expanding GLP-1 use with rising overall costs

As use of GLP-1s surged across the U.S., average total payments per user also climbed sharply, according to a new Northwestern University study that analyzed national trends in GLP-1 use and spending between 2017 and 2022.

16 Jul 2026