International Diabetes Federation recognizes type 5 diabetes

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has officially recognized a fifth form of diabetes, known as type 5. This decision follows decades of scientific debate regarding a condition previously linked to malnutrition.

Type 5 diabetes is estimated to affect up to 25 million people globally, primarily in lower-income regions of Asia and Africa. Unlike type 1 diabetes, which is autoimmune, or type 2, which involves insulin resistance, type 5 is believed to stem from prolonged malnutrition. This nutritional deficiency can impair pancreatic development, reducing the body's ability to produce insulin while leaving patients relatively sensitive to it.

Medical experts, including endocrinologist Meredith Hawkins, have advocated for this recognition because the unique metabolic profile of type 5 patients makes standard treatments dangerous. For instance, standard insulin doses can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia in these individuals. The IDF is now urging the World Health Organization (WHO) to formally adopt this classification to ensure accurate diagnosis and safer treatment protocols.