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Unlocking Your Body's Secrets: How Early Metabolism Checks Can Prevent Diabetes

Kai Mendoza in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"New Research Reveals Simple Tests to Identify Impaired Glucose Tolerance Before It's Too Late"

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels, affecting millions worldwide and posing a significant healthcare burden. The alarming increase in DM cases underscores the urgent need for effective preventative strategies.

Prediabetes, particularly impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), is a critical stage where blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classified as diabetes. Identifying IGT early is crucial because interventions during this phase can significantly reduce the risk of progressing to full-blown diabetes and its associated complications.

Conventional diagnostic methods often rely on measuring fasting plasma glucose or glucose levels after an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). However, recent research suggests that these methods may not always capture the subtle metabolic changes occurring in early prediabetes. This article explores a novel approach to detecting IGT, focusing on innovative metabolic markers identified in a study of young Japanese adults.

What's Wrong with Just Checking Blood Sugar? The Need for More Sensitive Tests for Early Diabetes Detection

Path leading to sunlight horizon symbolizing diabetes prevention

Traditional methods for diagnosing diabetes primarily focus on blood glucose levels, either through fasting glucose tests or the OGTT. The OGTT involves consuming a sugary drink and measuring blood glucose levels two hours later. While these tests are valuable, they may not detect early-stage metabolic disturbances that indicate a higher risk of progressing to diabetes.

Researchers in a new study sought to uncover more sensitive markers for IGT by examining the metabolic profiles of young Japanese adults with and without glycosuria (glucose in the urine), a common indicator of potential glucose regulation issues. The study, led by Dr. Takashi Miki, used two types of OGTT: one with D-glucose (Glc) and another with partial hydrolysate of starch (PHS), to assess how the body processes different types of sugars.

The study involved 99 young Japanese individuals who underwent both Glc/OGTT and PHS/OGTT.
Participants were divided into groups based on glycosuria status and glucose tolerance levels.
Researchers measured serum levels of incretins (hormones that stimulate insulin release) and various metabolites during the OGTTs.
Metabolome analysis was performed to identify differences in serum metabolite levels between groups.

The researchers discovered that individuals with IGT showed distinct metabolic responses compared to those with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). These differences highlighted potential disruptions in how the body handles sugar absorption and insulin secretion in the early stages of prediabetes.

Simple Steps for a Healthier Future

These findings underscore the importance of proactive health management and regular check-ups. Understanding your individual risk factors and consulting with healthcare professionals can empower you to take control of your metabolic health and prevent the onset of diabetes. By identifying and addressing prediabetes early, you can pave the way for a healthier, more vibrant future. Armed with this knowledge, you can work with your doctor to develop a personalized prevention plan that may include lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medical interventions.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1111/jdi.12719, Alternate LINK

Title: Accelerated Oligosaccharide Absorption And Altered Serum Metabolites During Oral Glucose Tolerance Test In Young Japanese With Impaired Glucose Tolerance

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Journal of Diabetes Investigation

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: Takashi Miki, Eun Young Lee, Akifumi Eguchi, Kenichi Sakurai, Yuji Sawabe, Tomohiko Yoshida, Keiko Saito, Hidetaka Yokoh, Ko Ishikawa, Koutaro Yokote, Takeshi Kuzuya, Eishi Miki, Chisato Mori, Fumio Nomura

Published: 2017-09-14

Everything You Need To Know

Why is it important to detect impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) early?

Detecting impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) early is crucial because it represents a prediabetic state where blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetic range. Intervening during this phase can significantly reduce the risk of progressing to full-blown diabetes mellitus (DM) and its associated complications, helping individuals adopt lifestyle changes or receive medical interventions to prevent the onset of the disease. Missing are details on specific interventions like diet and exercise, or medications to prevent progression. Further research could focus on the efficacy of different interventions at various stages of IGT.

What are the conventional methods for diagnosing diabetes mellitus (DM), and why might they be insufficient for early detection?

Conventional diagnostic methods for diabetes mellitus (DM) primarily rely on measuring fasting plasma glucose levels or glucose levels after an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). While valuable, these methods may not always capture the subtle metabolic changes occurring in early prediabetes, specifically impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Recent research suggests a need for more sensitive markers to detect these early-stage metabolic disturbances effectively. More details would include the cut off levels for these tests as well as the frequency they should be administered. The research also does not explain why these tests may be insensitive.

How did the study on young Japanese adults contribute to identifying new markers for impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)?

The study on young Japanese adults, led by Dr. Takashi Miki, examined the metabolic profiles of individuals with and without glycosuria (glucose in the urine) to uncover more sensitive markers for impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Researchers used two types of oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs)—one with D-glucose (Glc) and another with partial hydrolysate of starch (PHS)—to assess how the body processes different types of sugars and measured serum levels of incretins and various metabolites. Metabolome analysis was performed to identify differences in serum metabolite levels between groups. The research could have expanded on how exactly the metabolome analysis was performed. It's also unclear why young Japanese adults were specifically chosen for the study.

What are incretins, and what role do they play in understanding impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)?

Incretins are hormones that stimulate insulin release. In the context of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), measuring serum levels of incretins during oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) can provide insights into how effectively the body is secreting insulin in response to sugar intake. Differences in incretin levels between individuals with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and those with IGT can highlight potential disruptions in insulin secretion, which is a key factor in the early stages of prediabetes. The article does not discuss other hormones that play a role in IGT such as amylin or glucagon. Future research could explore these pathways.

Considering the study's findings, what proactive steps can individuals take to manage their metabolic health and prevent diabetes mellitus (DM)?

Based on the study's findings, individuals can take proactive steps such as undergoing regular check-ups and consulting with healthcare professionals to understand their individual risk factors for diabetes mellitus (DM). Early identification of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) through more sensitive tests can lead to personalized prevention plans, including lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medical interventions. Proactive health management empowers individuals to take control of their metabolic health and prevent the onset of diabetes, paving the way for a healthier future. The study could also explore the cost-effectiveness of more sensitive markers compared to traditional methods and the scalability of implementing these new approaches in routine clinical practice.