Bacteria May Cause Diabetes, But Obesity Is Still A Major Trigger

A recent study found that a certain kind of bacteria could cause Type II diabetes, but people shouldn’t use this as an excuse to ignore other triggers.

Type II diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t make enough insulin, which is also called insulin resistance.

There has been a large uptick in the incidence of Type II diabetes across the globe with about 28 million Americans having this type of diabetes in 2012, according to the American Diabetes Association.

“Obesity remains the main cause of diabetes,” said Robert Courgi, MD, endocrinologist and hospitalist at Southside Hospital in Bay Shore.

Some genetic and environmental factors may also lead to Type II diabetes.

The study, published in the American Society for Microbiology, found that Staphylococcus aureus bacteria can lead to Type II diabetes.

“This research holds promise for new therapies to treat diabetes,” Dr. Courgi said. “There is a curious relationship between infection and insulin resistance and which comes first… This research raises new questions that could reduce the morbidity and mortality of diabetes.”

For more information about diabetes visit:

• Focus onHealth TV episode about diabetes
• Diabetes symptoms