By 2045, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) projections show that approximately 783 million (1 in 8 adults) will be living with diabetes. Although type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, it typically only makes up about 5% to 10% of all cases. A majority of new cases are type 2 diabetes diagnoses, which—to some degree—may be preventable. But even if some people eat healthy and focus on weight management, type 2 diabetes still occurs. What if a person's gut microbiome played a role in this? Could you be at an increased risk of type 2 diabetes due to the type of microorganisms living in your body? To learn more about this relationship and the newest research, we've put together a comprehensive guide on the role of the gut microbiome and type 2 diabetes.
What is the Gut Microbiome?
Your gut microbiome is home to nearly 100 trillion tiny microorganisms. These microorganisms include bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbes that call your digestive tract home. Although it might not seem like having tiny bacteria inside your gut is a good thing, they actually play an essential role in keeping you healthy. Your microbiome can help aid in digestion, support your immune system, regulate blood sugar, and even influence your mood and energy.
Ongoing research has found that the microbiome is almost like a small ecosystem within our bodies. When it's balanced and filled with the "good" strains and species of microorganisms, we feel our best, and our bodies function at their best. When things are unbalanced or somewhat out of whack, the risk of certain underlying conditions increases, and we may feel a bit down.
Eating a balanced diet rich in fiber, staying hydrated, and avoiding unnecessary antibiotics are just a few ways we can help support a healthy gut microbiome, keeping this “inner community” thriving. However, the gut microbiome's relationship to complex conditions and overall health is an interesting dynamic that continues to be explored.
Important Information on Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar, or glucose, which is essential for energy. Normally, the hormone insulin helps glucose move from the blood into cells, where it’s used as fuel. However, in type 2 diabetes, either the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the cells become resistant to it, causing blood sugar levels to rise.
Over time, high blood glucose levels can lead to health complications affecting nearly every part of the body. Common complications include nerve damage (neuropathy), especially in the hands and feet, as well as an increased risk of heart disease, kidney damage, and vision loss. These issues arise because prolonged high glucose levels can damage blood vessels, limiting oxygen supply to tissues and organs.
Beyond physical health, type 2 diabetes can impact your mental and emotional well-being. Many people experience feelings of stress, anxiety, or depression related to their diagnosis or the demands of managing the disease. Studies show that a healthy lifestyle, along with support from healthcare professionals, friends, and family, can greatly improve the quality of life for people with diabetes.
Research into the condition is ongoing, with promising studies focusing on how the gut microbiome, genetics, and medications may one day lead to improved treatments or even preventive measures. The following few studies explore the direct relationship between the gut microbiome and type 2 diabetes.
Previous Research Findings on Gut Bacteria and Diabetes
Prior research has been performed on the relationship between diverse gut bacteria and diabetes. These studies focused on the relationship between individuals with type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. Specifically, it found that people with a high amount of a bacteria called Coprococcus tended to have higher insulin sensitivity. In comparison, individuals with higher levels of a bacteria called Flavonifractor tended to have lower insulin sensitivity. The study also found that when gut bacteria were transplanted from those with higher insulin sensitivity to replace the bacteria commonly seen in diabetes patients' gut microbiome, insulin sensitivity improved.
Regardless of these findings, a larger-scale study that included a more diverse pool of participants was lacking.
New Research Findings: How Changes to the Gut Microbiome May Increase the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
While changes in the gut microbiome are normal from time to time, certain strains and species of gut bacteria may actually be linked to the onset of chronic conditions. In fact, new research has found that some strains of gut microbiome may be directly related to type 2 diabetes risk.
The study was funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and represents a collaboration across Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
It has been the largest and most diverse study of its kind to date and found that certain gut microbiome species and strains were more commonly found in people with type 2 diabetes. The study was the most ethnically and geographically comprehensive study on gut health and diabetes ever done. It included individuals from several countries, including the United States, Germany, France, Finland, Israel, Sweden, Denmark, and China. Additionally, a range of participants were studied, such as those with type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and individuals with healthy blood sugar levels.
This research has identified specific microbial species in the gut that are consistently linked to type 2 diabetes. The study also discovered several previously unknown microbial strains, with certain strains playing potentially key roles in increasing or decreasing diabetes risk.
For instance, a strain of Prevotella copri, which produces high levels of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), was more frequently found in people with type 2 diabetes. High levels of BCAAs have previously been associated with increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes, suggesting this strain could contribute to these risks.
The researchers also uncovered a link between bacteriophages—viruses that infect bacteria—and changes in diabetes-related gut microbes. These bacteriophages may alter the function of bacterial strains in ways that help reduce type 2 diabetes risk. However, more research is needed to clarify this connection.
Similar microbial patterns were observed in a smaller subset of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients whose microbiomes hadn’t been heavily influenced by medications or chronic high glucose, further supporting the findings. The researchers suggest that shifts in the gut microbiome may actually precede and contribute to the onset of diabetes rather than being a result of the disease.
While even more research is needed to confirm these findings, it could provide a baseline for gut microbiome changes as a preventative measure to type 2 diabetes or a reversal of prediabetes. For now, it's important to continue focusing on healthy lifestyle habits, weight management, and dietary tips like reducing sugar intake.
Whether living with prediabetes or any type of diabetes, it's important to follow your diabetes management plan and maintain a consistent schedule with your doctor. To help you manage your diabetes effectively while living a healthy lifestyle, Byram Healthcare carries a wide range of continuous blood glucose monitors. We also offer diabetes support and educational materials to give you everything you need for comprehensive care.
