While the online world is flooded with information about diseases, a lot of the details are incorrect or unverified. True or False is a series that examines whether the common beliefs or misunderstandings about diseases treated by LG Chem’s drugs are credible. Leveraging their top-notch R&D capabilities, LG Chem aims to improve human life by developing and producing treatments for various diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, growth hormone deficiencies, and infertility.

Q1. Is all diabetes caused by genetics?

False: Diabetes is a disease where the body either can’t produce enough insulin to lower blood sugar (glucose) or doesn’t respond to insulin properly, leading to abnormally high blood sugar levels.¹ Diabetes can be classified into Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes occurs due to the destruction of the beta cells in the pancreas, which produce insulin, resulting in insulin deficiency. It is considered an autoimmune disease, and its exact cause is not yet discovered.²

Type 2 diabetes develops when the body’s ability to secrete insulin decreases, or when insulin is produced at a relatively normal level but the body is unable to use insulin effectively, a condition known as insulin resistance.³ Approximately 96% of diabetes patients worldwide have Type 2,⁴ and while genetic factors play a larger role than in Type 1, environmental factors such as an individual’s body type, lifestyle, and eating habits are also closely linked. Even those without a family history of diabetes can develop the condition due to environmental factors like obesity, medication use, lack of exercise, or increased stress.⁵

*Insulin resistance: This occurs when the body’s response to insulin is reduced below normal. As insulin resistance develops, it disrupts the body’s ability to effectively regulate blood sugar levels.

Q2. Is diabetes caused by eating too much sugary food?

False: Since diabetes is a disease associated with blood sugar levels, it is easy to misunderstand that its cause lies in consuming too much sugary food. However, even if blood sugar temporarily rises after eating sweet foods, it won’t lead to major issues if insulin is properly secreted and used by the body.⁶

However, if sugary foods are consumed in large amounts over the long term, the likelihood of obesity increases. Obesity can lead to insulin resistance, which in turn can cause diabetes. In other words, while sugary foods themselves are not the direct cause of diabetes, consuming them in excess and becoming overweight increases the risk of developing the disease.

Obesity is a major cause of insulin resistance, but this does not mean that thin people are not at risk of developing diabetes. It is their weak insulin secretion that leads to diabetes.⁷ Moreover, even with a low body weight, people with a high proportion of visceral fat (often referred to as “skinny fat”) should be cautious, as they are more prone to insulin resistance.

Q3. Would more exercise help improve diabetes?

False: Generally, engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, spread across at least three days, can help with weight management and improve blood sugar levels.⁸ However, we cannot simply conclude that more exercise is always better. The required amount of exercise varies depending on the patient’s health condition, age, and the presence of complications. Blood sugar levels must be consistently monitored before and after exercise to adjust the intensity and frequency, and patients should consult a healthcare professional if needed, based on their symptoms.

For those who are already taking medication or insulin injections, the timing of meals and exercise, as well as meal size and insulin dosage, must be carefully determined. If a patient is planning to exercise shortly after a meal, he or she should consult a doctor about potentially reducing the mealtime insulin dosage. Exercising too soon after a meal and insulin administration can lead to hypoglycemia. For overweight patients, weight loss is crucial, so they may want to consider exercising in a fasted state or at least 3–4 hours after a meal to burn more body fat for energy.⁹

Q4. Are there some diabetes patients who do not need insulin injections?

True: Diabetes treatment varies by the type (Type 1, Type 2) and blood sugar levels (such as HbA1c). Type 1 diabetes patients cannot produce insulin on their own, so they require insulin injections for treatment. Type 2 diabetes patients, on the other hand, still have insulin secretion abilities, but if blood sugar cannot be controlled with oral hypoglycemic agents or if these medications are unsuitable, insulin injections may be necessary.

However, for Type 2 diabetes or cases where blood sugar can be controlled with medication, insulin injections are not compulsory. Treatment can be done with oral hypoglycemic agents that help stimulate insulin secretion or inhibit the digestion of carbohydrates in the body.¹⁰

LG Chem is actively developing oral hypoglycemic agents for diabetes treatment. Recently, the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approved two clinical trials to assess the effects and safety of Zemidapamet Tab., a 3-in-1 combination oral medication based on Zemiglo.

So far, we’ve explored common misconceptions about diabetes. Diabetes is a disease where consistent exercise and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits are crucial. Even if you are at a relatively young age, it’s important to undergo periodic screenings to detect the disease early and receive proper treatment.

Since their launch of Zemiglo, Korea’s first new drug for diabetes treatment in 2012, LG Chem has been introducing a variety of solutions, such as Zemidapa, Zemiro, and Zemimet, to tackle the disease. Including both single-drug and two-drug combinations, LG Chem is offering customized treatment options for patients and is committed to continuously developing and innovating products to improve medication convenience and treatment effectiveness.

References

1. Brutsaert, E. (2023). Diabetes Mellitus (DM). msdmanuals.com. https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/hormonal-and-metabolic-disorders/diabetes-mellitus-dm-and-disorders-of-blood-sugar-metabolism/diabetes-mellitus-dm

2. American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Understanding Type 1 Diabetes. diabetes.org. https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/type-1

3. American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Understanding Type 2 Diabetes. diabetes.org. https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/type-2

4. Ong et al. (2023). Global, the regional, and national burden of diabetes 1990–2021 and projections to 2050: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The Lancet Volume 402(10397), 203-234.

5. American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Genetics of Diabetes. diabetes.org. https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/genetics-diabetes

6. Diabetes UK. (n.d.) Sugar and diabetes. diabetes.org.uk. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/living-with-diabetes/eating/sugar-and-diabetes

7. Holland, K. (2019). Diabetes Diagnosis: Does Weight Matter? healthline.com. https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/can-skinny-people-get-diabetes

8. ElSayed, et al. (2023). Standards of Care in Diabetes – 2023. Diabetes Care 46(Suppl. 1), S41-S48.

9. American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Eating Tips Before and After Exercise. diabetes.org. https://diabetes.org/health-wellness/fitness/eating-tips-before-after-exercise

10. American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Get a Handle on Diabetes Medication. diabetes.org. https://diabetes.org/health-wellness/medication-treatments