Study links passive smoking to diabetes for the first time

[kurth]

Secondhand Smoke Linked to Diabetes Risk
Glucose intolerance seen in smokers and those exposed to their smoke.
By Ed Edelson, HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, April 6 (HealthDay News) -- Everyone knows that secondhand smoke is bad for the lungs, but a new study suggests it might also increase the risk of diabetes. The long-term study of more than 4,500 American men and women found the incidence of glucose intolerance -- a precursor to diabetes in which the pancreas can no longer produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar -- was directly related to exposure to tobacco smoke...

Secondhand smoke could be more dangerous for the pancreas, where insulin is produced, than the fumes inhaled directly by smokers, the researchers said. The toxic substances in secondhand smoke are produced at different temperatures and under different chemical conditions. So some toxins that damage the pancreas might be at even higher concentrations in secondhand smoke than in smoke that is inhaled directly, they said.

That stands to reason, Banzhaf said. "I know that the secondhand smoke is different from, and in many ways more dangerous than, directly inhaled smoke," he said. "It's the difference between a well-ventilated fire in a fireplace and one where there is not enough ventilation to produce proper oxygenation."

If tobacco smoke -- whether secondhand or inhaled directly -- is a risk factor for diabetes, "that would be very important and frightening because of the other trend of increasing obesity," Banzhaf said. "When you put the two together, you have a really deadly combination." Dr. Robert Rizza, president of the American Diabetes Association, said the new study provides "one more reason why it is best not to be exposed to passive smoke." That warning probably applies most urgently to young people, Rizza said. It's possible that there are critical periods in development when toxic substances are more dangerous. So, he added, "the prudent thing is to be sure your children aren't exposed to passive smoke."...

http://www.drkoop.com/newsdetail/93/532000.html

[seabeyond]

1. allll the smokers i know, not a single diabetes. all people second hand

not a single drop dead lung cancer. since i cant trust anti smokers with fact, i with go with what i am seeing in the real world