What if I told you that your struggle with weight and blood sugar isn't entirely about willpower or even just diet and exercise? Recent groundbreaking research reveals that certain chemicals in our everyday environment—called obesogens—are literally programming our bodies to gain weight and develop metabolic dysfunction, including diabetes. This isn't science fiction; it's documented science that changes everything we thought we knew about the obesity and diabetes epidemics.
What Are Obesogens and Why Should People with Diabetes Care?
Obesogens are chemicals in our environment that directly promote fat accumulation and metabolic dysfunction through multiple biological mechanisms. They're a subset of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that interfere with our hormone systems—the same systems that regulate blood sugar, insulin sensitivity, and fat storage.
Here's what makes obesogens particularly alarming for anyone concerned about diabetes:
- They disrupt insulin signaling, making cells more resistant to insulin's effects
- They damage mitochondria—the cellular powerhouses that burn glucose for energy
- They increase the number and size of fat cells, particularly dangerous visceral fat
- They trigger inflammation and oxidative stress, core drivers of type 2 diabetes
- They alter appetite regulation in the brain, increasing cravings for unhealthy foods
According to research led by Dr. Rob Lustig and 44 co-authors published in Biochemical Pharmacology, obesogens may account for 15-20% of the obesity problem—and their effects on metabolic health extend far beyond the number on the scale.
Perhaps most concerning: many obesogens are "forever chemicals" that persist in the environment and our bodies for decades. One exposure doesn't just affect you—it can affect your children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren through epigenetic changes that alter how genes are expressed across generations.
How Obesogens Sabotage Your Metabolism
Understanding how obesogens work helps explain why managing diabetes has become increasingly difficult despite better awareness of traditional risk factors. These chemicals don't just add extra calories—they fundamentally reprogram how your body handles energy.
They Hijack Your Hormone Receptors: Obesogens bind to critical receptors throughout your body, including insulin receptors, estrogen receptors, and PPAR gamma (a master regulator of fat cell development). When these chemicals occupy these receptors, they send false signals that promote fat storage and insulin resistance.
They Damage Your Cellular Powerhouses: Mitochondria are responsible for burning glucose and fat for energy. Obesogens impair mitochondrial function, reducing your ability to burn calories efficiently. Remarkably, average body temperature has decreased by half a degree over the past 25 years—likely reflecting this widespread mitochondrial dysfunction. For people with diabetes, this means even greater difficulty maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.
They Increase Fat Cell Numbers: Unlike typical weight gain that enlarges existing fat cells, some obesogens actually increase the total number of fat cells in your body. This is especially problematic because once created, fat cells don't disappear—they can only shrink. The most vulnerable period is during fetal development and the first two years of life, when fat cells are actively dividing.
They Alter Your Brain Chemistry: Obesogens affect the brain's reward system, increasing cravings and making it harder to resist high-sugar, high-fat foods—exactly what people with diabetes need to limit.
Where Are These Chemicals Hiding?
The unfortunate truth is that obesogens are virtually everywhere in modern life. Here are the most common sources:
In Your Kitchen:
- BPA in canned food linings and plastic containers
- PFOA and PFAS in non-stick cookware (Teflon)
- Phthalates in plastic food packaging and storage containers
- Pesticides like glyphosate (Roundup) on conventionally grown produce
- Food additives, preservatives, and emulsifiers in processed foods
- Artificial sweeteners including aspartame, sucralose, and surprisingly, even stevia and monk fruit
In Your Home:
- Flame retardants in mattresses, furniture, electronics, and baby clothing
- Air pollution particles that enter through windows
- Contaminated tap water
In Your Bathroom:
- Parabens in cosmetics, especially lipstick
- Multiple chemicals in conventional personal care products
In Your Environment:
- Diesel exhaust and particulate matter, especially near freeways
- Secondhand smoke
- Thermal receipt paper (BPA transfers to skin)
Even in "Healthy" Foods:
- Excess fructose (which promotes fat storage beyond its calorie content)
- Arsenic and cadmium in some cocoa products
- Pesticide residues on conventional fruits and vegetables
The Shocking Truth About Artificial Sweeteners
For people with diabetes, this revelation is particularly important: artificial sweeteners are obesogens. Many people switch to diet sodas and sugar-free products thinking they're making a healthier choice for blood sugar management. However, artificial sweeteners—including aspartame, sucralose, and even natural alternatives like stevia and monk fruit—can disrupt metabolism and actually promote the very conditions they're meant to prevent.
These sweeteners alter the gut microbiome, impair glucose tolerance, and may increase cravings for sweet foods. For diabetes management, water, unsweetened tea, and coffee are far better choices than any artificially sweetened beverages.
Protecting Yourself and Future Generations
While the obesogen problem requires systemic solutions—better regulations and chemical testing before products reach consumers—there's plenty you can do right now to reduce your exposure:
In the Kitchen:
- Choose organic produce when possible, especially for the "Dirty Dozen" (foods with highest pesticide residues)
- Replace non-stick cookware with stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic alternatives
- Avoid canned foods or choose BPA-free cans; opt for glass jars instead
- Store food in glass or stainless steel containers, not plastic
- Never microwave food in plastic containers
- Eat real, whole foods rather than processed products with long ingredient lists
- Eliminate artificial sweeteners completely
- Reduce sugar and fructose consumption
Around Your Home:
- Use high-quality air and water filtration systems
- Choose furniture and mattresses without flame retardants when possible
- Don't live near freeways if you have a choice
- Avoid secondhand smoke exposure
- Stay well-hydrated to help your body eliminate chemicals
Personal Care:
- Choose simple personal care products with minimal ingredients
- Check products on the Environmental Working Group (EWG) website for safety ratings
- Avoid products containing parabens and phthalates
- Decline thermal receipts or handle them minimally
Critical for Pregnant Women:
Since fetal development and the first two years of life are the most vulnerable periods, pregnant women and new mothers should be especially vigilant:
- Don't smoke and avoid secondhand smoke completely
- Limit sugar and avoid artificial sweeteners entirely
- Avoid all sodas, both regular and diet
- Eat organic when possible
- Use glass baby bottles, never plastic
- Choose organic cotton clothing for babies without flame retardants
Remember: exposure during pregnancy doesn't just affect your baby—it can affect your grandchildren and great-grandchildren through epigenetic changes that persist for at least four generations.
The Path Forward: From Research to Action
The landmark research published by Dr. Lustig and colleagues represents a turning point. Their three-paper series establishes not just correlation but causation—proving definitively that these chemicals cause obesity and metabolic dysfunction. They've even developed obesity assays that can test whether a chemical is an obesogen before it's released into the environment.
The technology exists to protect public health. What's missing is the political will and regulatory framework. Unlike pharmaceuticals, which must undergo rigorous testing, industrial chemicals are released into our environment without meaningful assessment by the FDA, EPA, or USDA. The chemical industry has gotten a "free pass" for decades while our metabolic health has deteriorated.
We need systemic change:
- Mandatory testing of chemicals before environmental release
- Stricter EPA regulations on environmental pollutants
- Requirements for chemical safety data similar to pharmaceutical standards
- Better monitoring and surveillance of obesogen levels in populations
As individuals, we can demand these changes by contacting elected representatives, supporting organizations advocating for chemical safety, and voting with our wallets by choosing products from companies committed to eliminating harmful chemicals.
The Bottom Line for Diabetes Prevention and Management
Obesogens represent a missing piece of the diabetes puzzle. They help explain why diabetes rates continue climbing despite increased awareness of diet and exercise. They reveal why some people develop diabetes despite seemingly doing everything right, while others remain healthy despite poor habits.
For people with diabetes or prediabetes, reducing obesogen exposure won't replace medication, diet, or exercise—but it removes hidden obstacles to metabolic health. Every plastic container you replace with glass, every organic vegetable you choose, every artificial sweetener you skip is a step toward better blood sugar control and reduced inflammation.
This isn't about perfection—complete obesogen avoidance is impossible in the modern world. It's about awareness and reduction. Small changes accumulate into significant protection over time, not just for you but for future generations.
The obesity and diabetes epidemics aren't just about personal choices—they're about environmental exposures that make healthy metabolism increasingly difficult. By understanding obesogens and taking action both personally and politically, we can begin to turn the tide on these devastating chronic diseases.
References
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Heindel, J. J., Howard, S., Agay-Shay, K., Arrebola, J. P., Audouze, K., Babin, P. J., Barouki, R., Bansal, A., Blanc, E., Cave, M. C., Chatterjee, S., Chevalier, N., Choudhury, M., Collier, D., Connolly, L., Coumoul, X., Galatry-Bouju, F., Gil, A., Gustafsson, J. Å., Hebert, J., … Lustig, R. H. (2022). Obesity II: Establishing causal links between chemical exposures and obesity. Biochemical Pharmacology, 199, 115015.
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Lustig, R. H., Collier, D., Kassotis, C., Roepke, T. A., Kim, M. J., Blanc, E., Barouki, R., Bansal, A., Cave, M. C., Chatterjee, S., Choudhury, M., Gilbertson, M., Lagadic-Gossmann, D., Howard, S., Lind, L., Tomlinson, C. R., Vondracek, J., & Heindel, J. J. (2022). Obesity I: Overview and molecular and biochemical mechanisms. Biochemical Pharmacology, 199, 115012.
