High Mercury Exposure Linked to Increased Diabetes Risk.

High mercury exposure in young adults increased their risk for developing type 2 diabetes by 65% compared with low exposure in a Diabetes Carestudy of 3875 Americans who were aged 20 to 32 years and free of diabetes in 1987. Participants were followed six times until 2005. The study established this increased risk after controlling for lifestyle and other dietary factors such as magnesium and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake. The main source of mercury in humans comes from the consumption of fish and shellfish. Fish with higher levels of mercury include swordfish and shark.