Type 1 Diabetes and Cold Weather

From everydayhealth.com

Type 1 diabetes doesn’t hibernate. The winter and cold weather can complicate your type 1 diabetes management in several ways, from freezing insulin and affecting medical-device functionality to increasing your risk of infection.

With some extra planning, you can make sure your diabetes supplies stay safe, that you stay on top of blood sugar levels, and that you plan ahead for possible sick days. 

Insulin Can Freeze

Insulin can freeze when stored at 32 degrees F or colder, just like water, says Jovan Milosavljevic, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at Montefiore Einstein in New York.

“When this happens, its protein structure becomes damaged,” he says. “Even if the insulin later thaws, it won’t work the way it should.”

In addition to damaging protein strands, freezing may cause clumping or crystals inside the insulin, making it unsafe for people with type 1 diabetes who rely on it to control their blood sugar, says Amy Hess-Fischl, RDN, CDCES, the Chicago-based president of healthcare and education for the American Diabetes Association. Research is thus far inconclusive as to just how much potency is lost. Extra-cold temperatures also may cause glass vials to crack and contaminate the insulin inside.

Typically, you should store insulin in the refrigerator at between 36 and 46 degrees F, though it may tolerate higher temperatures for short periods.

“To prevent freezing, never keep unopened insulin in the freezer or near the back wall of the refrigerator," says Hess-Fischl, adding that insulated bags are available to keep insulin at an appropriate temperature.

In the winter, you should be especially careful about how you carry your insulin. Leaving a vial or pen outdoors in a backpack, purse, or car could easily expose it to freezing temperatures. If you’re spending the day skiing or sledding or even just shopping, stay mindful of the insulin you keep on your person so that it doesn’t freeze.

“Keep insulin close to your body, like inside a jacket, and consider an insulated pouch when traveling or spending long periods outdoors so the temperature stays safely above about 40 degrees F,” Dr. Milosavljevic says. 

Protect Your Devices

If you use an insulin pump or a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), note that extreme cold can affect how they operate.

Manufacturers typically recommend keeping these devices between about 40 and 85 degrees F. Cold weather can cause the insulin in a pump to freeze or device mechanics to work improperly. If devices fail, they can make diabetes management more challenging, such as having to switch to alternate insulin delivery if an insulin pump stops working.

Take some precautions to ensure that devices also remain at an appropriate temperature. 

“Wear them in areas [where] they are less likely to be directly exposed to the cold,” says Risa Wolf, MD, a pediatric endocrinologist and the director of the pediatric diabetes program at Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore. 

Body heat also can help keep devices at a safe temperature, Hess-Fischl says.

It’s also possible for the cold to affect adhesives on pumps and CGMs. 

“Adhesive can sometimes harden, losing stickiness as a result,” Hess-Fischl says. “The cold and lower humidity leads to dry skin. Dry skin can cause adhesives to become more abrasive to the skin by increasing their hold.” 

Drinking more water might help them stick, she says.

If you customarily add additional adhesive tape to protect your pump or CGM, Hess-Fischl suggests finding an adhesive that releases gently, such as those that include zinc.

Extreme Cold and Blood Sugar

Cold temperatures can make it harder to manage your blood sugar, as they trigger reactions that reduce insulin sensitivity.

“Cold weather can cause the body to release stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline,” Milosavljevic says. “These hormones stimulate the liver to release extra glucose, which can raise blood sugar levels.”

If you are exposed to cold, your body also will try to preserve heat and limit blood flow to your skin, he says: “Insulin absorption may be decreased, which can lead to higher sugars as well.”

Poor circulation in cold hands also can make it harder to get a glucose reading from a fingerstick. This may lead to inaccurate readings and improper treatment.

“It’s a good idea to check your blood sugar frequently, since close monitoring is the best way to see how cold weather affects you and to respond to any trends,” Milosavljevic says. 

If you have type 1 diabetes, it is important to think about how you store and administer your medication in cold weather.Everyday Health

Winter Lifestyle Changes

Winter weather and winter habits also may lead to less exercise and a less healthy diet, especially during the holidays, making blood sugar harder to control.

“Decreased activity will increase insulin resistance, leading to higher glucose levels and the need for more insulin,” Hess-Fischl says.

Just as getting more exercise can reduce your insulin needs and your risk of diabetes complications, getting less of it increases your risk of obesity and heart problems — both of which can make type 1 diabetes harder to control.

Hess-Fischl recommends making an effort to take regular walks, be they outside or simply walking in place, and exercising on your own. Even housework can be productive physical activity, she says. 

Exercise also helps combat seasonal affective disorder, which is most common in the winter and is linked to weight gains, depression, and other factors that can complicate diabetes.

Be mindful of your diet, as well, as parties and family events can disrupt your regular meal plan and blood sugar levels. Hot chocolate and other cold weather comfort foods can lead to blood sugar rises without proper insulin correction. 

“Being closer to snacks and foods that may tempt you to eat more, gain a little bit of weight, and also increase the insulin needs,” Hess-Fischl says.

Winter Infections

Infections such as the flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 are more common in cold-weather months, and all pose challenges to someone with type 1 diabetes.

“Winter illnesses, such as the flu, can result in higher blood sugars because of the body's need for more insulin during illness,” Dr. Wolf says. “Illnesses can also increase the risk of ketone development and diabetic ketoacidosis in people with diabetes.”

If you have type 1 diabetes, you are not necessarily more prone to getting winter infections. But you are more likely to have severe symptoms and complications from illnesses such as COVID-19.

It’s best to plan ahead. Get the annual vaccinations that your doctor recommends, practice good hygiene, and be sure to collaborate with your healthcare team to create a sick day plan so you know exactly how to adjust your insulin doses and diet you’re feeling under the weather — and when exactly to call for help.

“Make sure to follow your doctor's instructions during times of illness by checking ketones frequently and seeking medical guidance as needed,” Wolf says.

Keep Hypo Snacks Warm

Everyone with type 1 diabetes has a risk of hypoglycemia, which means you need fast-acting sources of sugar such as candy or juice on hand for when your blood sugar gets too low. Any snack that could freeze, such as a juice box, may be worthless if your blood sugar is tumbling during a cold-weather activity.

It’s particularly critical to make sure to have a sugar source during exercise, including cold-weather activities such as skiing, sledding, or ice skating. Not all snacks may be appropriate.

“Bring hypoglycaemia treatment that is easy to carry and is not affected by temperatures, first and foremost,” Hess-Fischl says. “Juice and gels may not be the best idea.”

Keep those snacks close to your body while you are out in cold weather. 

“Glucose tabs or gummies kept in an inside pocket would be ideal since they will not freeze as easily as liquids,” Hess-Fischl says. 

The Takeaway

• Managing type 1 diabetes during cold-weather months may require paying extra attention to the temperature of your insulin, medical devices, and hypoglycaemia snacks.
• Insulin is unusable if it freezes, so be sure to keep it within the recommended temperature range, storing it in an insulated bag if necessary.
• Cold weather itself can activate stress hormones that can increase blood sugar levels and decrease insulin production, making regular blood sugar checks key.
• Have a sick-day plan in place if you get a winter illness such as the flu, RSV, or COVID-19, all of which may come with more severe symptoms and complications if you have type 1 diabetes.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/diabetes/type-1-diabetes-and-cold-weather/

Diabetes UK: "We welcome the junk food advertising ban across the UK"

From diabetes.org.uk

We welcome the introduction of UK-wide restrictions on junk food advertising, a key step towards tackling childhood obesity and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

We have long campaigned for legislation to stop children and young people from being bombarded by unhealthy food adverts, so we welcome the introduction of restrictions on junk food advertising, which came into force on Monday 5th January 2026 across the UK as part of efforts to tackle childhood obesity.

Under the new rules, food and drink products high in fat, salt and sugar can no longer be advertised on television before 9pm, or online at any time. 

The restrictions apply to foods and drinks of most concern for childhood obesity, such as sugary drinks, confectionery, and pizzas and ice creams, as well as foods that might not be perceived as being high in fat, salt, or sugar, such as sweetened yoghurts, some breakfast cereals and porridges, sweetened bread products, and main meals and sandwiches.

The products covered by the ban are determined by their levels of saturated fat, salt and sugar. 

Why this matters for diabetes and children’s health

Living with obesity and overweight is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. NHS data shows that almost one in ten children in reception year are now living with obesity, and rates are highest among children living in the most deprived areas.

Linked to this, we are seeing a rise in type 2 diabetes in children and young people. This is particularly concerning because type 2 diabetes is more aggressive when it develops at a younger age, putting people at an increased risk of complications.

A step we have long called for

Together with other health bodies and charities as part of the Obesity Health Alliance, we have consistently called on the government to take stronger action to reduce children’s exposure to junk food advertising as part of a wider approach to creating healthier food environments.

In the past, we have raised concerns that delaying these restrictions risked impacting progress on childhood obesity and could lead to more children developing type 2 diabetes in the future. 

This news is a welcome step towards recognising that creating healthier food environments is essential to supporting healthier lives.

More action is still needed

While this is a positive move to protect children’s health, we are concerned about the broad exemptions for brand advertising, and the limited number of product categories and media channels in scope, and together with others are calling on the government to go further to improve public health, reverse rising obesity rates and reduce the risks of type 2 diabetes.

We want to see further action to improve our food environment, including a total ban on adverts for unhealthy food on television and on our streets and an industry levy to encourage businesses to make our food healthier.

Colette Marshall, Chief Executive at Diabetes UK, said: 

"With type 2 diabetes on the rise in young people, the need to improve children’s health in the UK has never been greater. Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and the condition can lead to more severe consequences in young people, leaving them at risk of serious complications like kidney failure and heart disease.

"The long-awaited move to restrict junk food advertising, along with other measures such as mandatory healthy food sales reporting for businesses and the extension of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy, can help protect our children's health, creating a future where conditions like type 2 diabetes can be prevented in young people."

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-us/news-and-views/junk-food-advertising-ban-childrens-health?utm_campaign=4933866_Enewsletter%20-%20January%202026%20-%20General&utm_medium=email&utm_source=dot_digital&dm_i=79RZ,2XQZU,1PBE5R,871O9,1,0,0,0 

Screening all children for type 1 diabetes is effective, study says

From bbc.co.uk 

All UK children could be offered screening for type 1 diabetes using a simple finger-prick blood test, say researchers who have been running a large study.

Currently, many young people go undiagnosed and risk developing a life-threatening complication called diabetic ketoacidosis that needs urgent hospital treatment.

Identifying diabetes earlier could help avoid this and mean treatments to control problematic blood sugar levels can be given sooner.

Some 17,000 children aged three to 13 have already been checked as part of the ELSA, external (Early Surveillance for Autoimmune diabetes) study, funded by diabetes charities.

Imogen, who is 12 and from the West Midlands, is one of those found to have diabetes thanks to the screening.

Her mum Amy says knowing what's coming, rather than being taken by surprise, has made a massive difference to their confidence and peace of mind.

"Imogen took part in the study to further research and help others, but it has helped her too – being forewarned is being forearmed.

"She was always going to develop type 1 diabetes, but through ELSA we've been able to slow down the process and prepare. We know what's coming, but we're not scared."

Imogen is being given ongoing support to prepare her for what is to come.

Amy, who is 44 and has type 1 diabetes herself, is aware of the risks with the disease. She was diagnosed aged 13 after developing diabetic ketoacidosis.

"When I was diagnosed, I had no warning and ended up quite poorly in hospital," she recalls.

Imogen is now trying a new type of drug designed to delay her diabetes. It's an immunotherapy called teplizumab that helps calm her immune system to slow its attack of her pancreas.

In trials, external, the drug has been shown to delay the onset of diabetes by about three years, on average. It is not yet widely available on the NHS. Imogen is only the second child in the UK to get it.

              Doctors hope the immunotherapy drug will delay Imogen's diabetes          Diabetes UK

How the diabetes screening test works

The finger-prick blood test checks for autoantibodies - proteins that the immune system makes which can attack the body's own tissues.

In diabetes, these autoantibodies attack the pancreas - the organ which has the job of making insulin to control blood sugar.

Family history can increase your risk of type 1 diabetes and scientists believe some things in the environment, like viruses, play a role in triggering it.

Preliminary findings from ELSA in the 17,283 children, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, external journal and funded by Diabetes UK and Breakthrough T1D, show:

• 75 children had one autoantibody, signalling increased future risk of type 1 diabetes

• 160 had two or more autoantibodies but did not yet require insulin therapy, indicating early-stage type 1 diabetes

• 7  were found to have undiagnosed type 1 diabetes, with all needing to start insulin immediately

Children without autoantibodies are unlikely to develop type 1 diabetes.

Dr Elizabeth Robertson from Diabetes UK said: "For too many families, a child's type 1 diabetes diagnosis still comes as a frightening emergency. But that doesn't have to be the case.

"Thanks to scientific breakthroughs, we now have the tools to identify children in the very earliest stages of type 1 diabetes - giving families precious time to prepare, avoid emergency hospital admissions, and access treatments that can delay the need for insulin for years."

Rachel Connor, from Breakthrough T1D, added: "The findings from ELSA's first phase signal a major step towards a future in which type 1 diabetes can be detected early, managed proactively, and potentially delayed through immunotherapy."

The next phase of the study - called ELSA 2 - will now expand the screening offer to children aged 2 to 17. The finger-prick test can be done at home, in school or at a GP surgery.

Several other countries are also exploring whether to introduce diabetes screening for children. Italy already has for those aged 1 to 17.

It would be up to UK ministers, advised by the National Screening Committee and studies like ELSA, whether to do the same.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes

The NHS says the most common symptoms of type 1 diabetes are:

• peeing more than usual, especially at night

• feeling very thirsty and drinking more than usual

• feeling very tired

• losing weight without trying to or looking thinner

Children may have heavier nappies or they may start wetting the bed because they're peeing more.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3684zddgl0o

New Coffee Chemicals Show Promise for Managing Type 2 Diabetes

 From usnews.com

Coffee may do more than boost energy.

New research suggests that certain compounds found in roasted coffee beans could help slow how quickly sugar enters the bloodstream, a finding that could one day support new foods aimed at managing type 2 diabetes.

Scientists have identified three previously unknown compounds in roasted coffee that strongly block α-glucosidase, an enzyme that helps the body break down carbohydrates during digestion.

That enzyme plays a key role in how fast sugar enters the blood. Slowing it down can help prevent spikes in blood sugar.

The research was led by Minghua Qiu at the Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and published in the journal Beverage Plant Research.

The findings add to the growing evidence that coffee may offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition (and taste).

                                                                                   HealthDay

Finding helpful compounds in foods is challenging because they contain thousands of interlinked chemicals.

To tackle this, the research team used advanced lab tools, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), to carefully analyze roasted Coffea arabica beans.

Using a three-step screening process, the scientists narrowed down the most chemically active portions of the coffee extract.

After further testing and purification, they isolated three new compounds, which they named caffaldehydes A, B and C.

All three compounds strongly blocked α-glucosidase. Their effectiveness, which was measured by IC₅₀ values, ranged from 45.07 to 17.50 micromoles, making them more potent than acarbose, a drug commonly used to treat diabetes. (The lower the IC₅₀ value, the greater the potency.)

The team then used additional mass spectrometry tools to search for harder-to-detect substances. That analysis uncovered three more previously unknown compounds.

Together, the results show that the researchers’ method can uncover meaningful health-related compounds in complex foods like coffee.

The findings suggest that coffee-based ingredients could one day be developed to help support blood sugar control. Researchers say future studies will test whether these compounds are safe and effective in living organisms.

https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2026-01-19/new-coffee-chemicals-show-promise-for-managing-type-2-diabetes

Recognize the Five Early Signs of Type 2 Diabetes

From kompas.id

Diabetes is a lifelong disease that affects 1 in 9 adults worldwide. Many of these sufferers are often undiagnosed, putting them at risk of experiencing complications.

The prevalence of diabetes has significantly increased over the last three decades. A global study indicates that the prevalence of diabetes among adults rose from approximately 7 percent in 1990 to nearly 14 percent in recent years.

According to data from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), there are 589 million people worldwide suffering from diabetes in 2024. Indonesia ranks fifth in the world for the highest number of diabetes sufferers, following China, India, the United States, and Pakistan. 

As many as 11.3 percent of the adult population in Indonesia suffers from diabetes, which amounts to 20.4 million adults out of 185 million residents. This figure has increased compared to the 2018 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) data, which was at 8.5 percent.

The majority of sufferers worldwide, including in Indonesia, experience type 2 diabetes, which is primarily caused by lifestyle factors, such as a high sugar consumption pattern. Data also indicates a shift where diabetes is increasingly found in the productive age group and adolescents due to changes in lifestyle.

Early-onset type 2 diabetes (when symptoms first appear) in adolescence is associated with greater insulin resistance, a more rapid decline in β cell function, and earlier and more severe complications. This results in increased morbidity and mortality compared to late-onset type 2 diabetes.

A 2024 article by S Kaptoge and his team in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology showed that in the United States, individuals with type 2 diabetes diagnosed at age 30 died at age 50, on average, 14 years earlier than those without diabetes.

In addition to this consumption pattern, the trend of increasing diabetes among adolescents is also triggered by a lack of physical activity in children as they spend more time in front of screens. Furthermore, many cases in children are only detected when they are already in a critical condition (diabetic ketoacidosis) because the symptoms are often mistaken for common illnesses or fatigue.

Early stage diabetes is often asymptomatic.

So far, it is estimated that 45-70 percent of diabetes sufferers in Indonesia are unaware that they have the disease until complications occur. In fact, early detection of diabetes is very important.

In addition to preventing irreversible complications, especially in type 2 diabetes, if detected at the prediabetes stage, the condition is reversible. Prediabetes is defined as blood sugar levels above normal, but not yet considered diabetes. With dietary changes and intensive exercise, blood sugar levels can return to normal without medication.

Early detection and early symptoms

Considering the high trend of diabetes among young and productive individuals, the American Diabetes Association now recommends that every young adult undergo early diabetes screening. "In the early stages of diabetes, patients often do not show symptoms, which is why the American Diabetes Association recommends that every adult be screened for diabetes at the age of 35," said Alyssa Dominguez, an endocrinologist at Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California, in a statement released by her campus on Saturday (17/1/2026).

It is very important for individuals with risk factors, such as a family history of diabetes, prediabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, and gestational diabetes, or if their body mass index (BMI) falls within the overweight or obese range, to undergo early and regular diabetes screening.

Although screening by a doctor through blood tests is the most definitive way to determine whether someone has diabetes, there are several symptoms to be aware of that are early signs for diabetes sufferers. If you experience the following symptoms, consult a doctor for diabetes screening.

First, frequent urination. "The frequency of urination is quite subjective. I would say that if someone notices they are urinating more often than usual, it could be a sign of diabetes," he said.

However, it is important to note that there are many other conditions that can lead to an increased frequency of urination. For instance, men with prostate issues or women after menopause may experience an increase in the frequency of urination.

Secondly, feeling very thirsty. "Increased and frequent thirst is one of the most common early symptoms of diabetes that people notice," Dominguez continued. This occurs because high blood sugar levels can lead to excessive urination, which can result in dehydration.

Thirdly, rapid or abnormal weight loss is also one of the most common signs that people notice when they first suffer from diabetes. According to Dominguez, this can occur because with uncontrolled insulin, the body may begin to burn fat or muscle for fuel, leading to unintended weight loss that can become problematic.

Fourth, skin changes. "Skin warts can be a sign of insulin resistance," says Dominguez. "Another skin finding we can see is a phenomenon called acanthosis nigricans, which is darkened, velvety skin that can be seen on the back of the neck or in the armpit area. This can be a physical sign of insulin resistance or diabetes."

Fifth, slow wound healing. "We know that high blood sugar slows down wound healing," said Dominguez. "However, this is something I usually see more often in people who have a more advanced form of diabetes and who have had high blood sugar for some time. However, if someone has not seen a doctor for a long time, they may have undetected high blood sugar, which can lead to slower wound healing."

Although these are early signs of diabetes, Dominguez emphasizes the importance of screening for diabetes before symptoms appear, typically through hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) tests or fasting blood glucose tests. All of this is part of the majority of routine laboratory examinations conducted by doctors.

"Early-stage diabetes often presents without symptoms," said Dominguez. "It is important to undergo testing before symptoms appear so that you can receive appropriate treatment and avoid significant issues due to your diabetes."

https://www.kompas.id/artikel/en-kenali-lima-tanda-awal-diabetes