Smokers, Individuals with High Cholesterol at Higher Risk of Diabetes, Expert Warns

An endocrinologist, Dr Ayuba Mugana, has warned that smokers and individuals with cholesterol-related health issues face a significantly higher risk of developing diabetes.

Speaking in an interview in Bauchi on Tuesday, Dr Mugana explained that smoking disrupts the body’s insulin function and promotes inflammation. Insulin is the crucial hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels.

He clarified that diabetes, a chronic condition affecting how the body converts food into energy, is not solely linked to heredity or high blood pressure.

“Diabetes is not caused only by heredity or high blood pressure. Smokers and people with cholesterol problems are also at significant risk,” the expert stated.

Addressing dietary myths, Dr Mugana noted that protein is important for diabetic patients. While acknowledging that freely-roaming local chickens are leaner, he stated that broiler chickens can still be consumed if prepared carefully.

“The claim that broilers are unhealthy depends on the consumer’s preference,” he said, advising those who eat broiler chicken to remove the skin to reduce fat intake.

The doctor also raised an alarm over increasing diabetes cases among youths, cautioning them to adopt healthy lifestyles. He noted that the disease often takes between 10 to 15 years to fully manifest, beginning with a period of insulin resistance.