"Diabetes diagnosed in 30s reduces life expectancy by 14 years": Experts weigh in to suggest lifestyle changes

Diabetes is one of the most common lifestyle diseases. Currently, 101 million adults in India are diabetic and an additional 136 million people are pre-diabetic. The population of diabetic individuals is 11.4% of the total population in the country which in itself is concerning as it has also been estimated that more than half of the population is likely to be diabetic within 5 years.

A new study published in the Lancet Diabetes Endocrinology journal has shed light on diabetes and life expectancy. The study on the data obtained from 19 countries interpreted that every decade of earlier diagnosis of diabetes was associated with about 3–4 years of lower life expectancy. The researchers estimated that those with diabetes diagnosed aged 30 years died 14 years earlier, those diagnosed aged 40 years died 10 years earlier, and those diagnosed aged 50 years died 6 years earlier, on average, than individuals without diabetes. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, with additional outcomes of deaths from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and causes other than cardiovascular disease or cancer.

In June 2023, another study by the Lancet, had estimated that more than 1·31 billion people could be living with diabetes by 2050 worldwide. "That's 1·31 billion people living with a disease that causes life-altering morbidity, high rates of mortality, and interacts with and exacerbates many other diseases," the Lancet study had found and had pointed out obesity to be a major risk factor for it.

"Diabetes if not treated rightly, if it is uncontrolled can lead to various serious complications. It affects each and every organ, the well-known and serious complications are that it damages the kidney can lead to kidney failure, affects on eyes can lead to vision loss, it affects the nerves leading to pain and burning sensation in feet and numbness of feet can lead to ulcerations and gangrene. If not diagnosed and treated early it also can have bad effects on the digestive system, on the urinary system, or on the reproductive system. It is associated with a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and sexual dysfunction. But the good news is that if it is treated well on time, you can avoid most of these complications," explains Dr. Arun C. Singh, Director - Endocrinology & Diabetology, Metro Hospital, Faridabad.

"Diabetes is a medical condition where sugar levels in the blood are higher than normally accepted range. Blood sugar levels in diabetes are affected by many factors. The Most important ones are food habits, physical activity, weight, and stress. So, to keep sugar levels in range we need to have a regular lifestyle, do daily exercise, and take foods which are rich in fibre, low in sugar, and high in protein," Dr. Singh explains.

​Kombucha tea effective in lowering diabetes​

Dr, Ashutosh Shukla, Medical Advisor & Senior Director - Internal Medicine Max Hospital, Gurgaon explains:

Avoid skipping meals, have meals on time, have a balanced plant-based nutritious diet, and consult a nutritionist.

Exercise regularly, aerobic exercises at least 30 minutes every day 5 times a week muscle strengthening exercises 2 times a week, and yoga at least thrice a week.

Make sure to get adequate 7-8 hours of sound, uninterrupted restful sleep.

If your stress and anxiety levels are high, consult a specialist.

One baseline test at the age of 30 years. If everything is normal, once every two years, and if there are abnormalities, an annual checkup is necessary.