Overview
- Researchers analyzed stored blood and linked data from 23,634 adults across 10 cohorts with follow-up as long as 26 years.
- Out of 469 measured metabolites, 235 were tied to future type 2 diabetes risk, including 67 newly identified associations.
- A 44-metabolite signature improved prediction beyond traditional risk factors used in standard models.
- Diet and lifestyle exerted strong influence on risk-linked metabolites, notably obesity, physical activity, and intake of red meat, vegetables, sugary drinks, and coffee or tea.
- The team found genetic connections to relevant clinical traits and stresses the observational nature of the findings, calling for experimental validation, clinical trials, and pathway-focused research to develop targeted prevention.