DHAKA, March 23, 2022 (BSS) - Deficiency of intestinal enzyme, Alkaline 
Phosphatase, is one of the leading causes of developing diabetes among 
people, according to a study revealed here today. 

The study was published in the British Medical Journal recently and it 
(study) was revealed at a conference held at Birdem General Hospital. 

Prof Dr AK Azad, President of Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (DAB), told 
BSS that, "Two factors -- genetic and unhealthy lifestyle -- are directly 
linked to developing diabetes among the people." The study found that 
unhealthy lifestyle is responsible for deficiency of intestinal enzyme named 
Alkaline Phosphatase, which causes diabetes, he added. 
 
Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (DAB) coordinated the study led by Dr 
Madhu S Malo, a former faculty at Harvard Medical School in USA, and an 
advisor to the Diabetic Association.

Bangladesh Medical and Research Council and the ministry of education funded 
the study.

A team of researchers from multiple local and foreign universities revealed 
the cause through a five-year investigation on 674 non-diabetic people, aged 
30-60.

As per the study, people with the Alkaline Phosphatese deficiency have 13.8 
times higher risk of developing diabetes than those who do not, Madhu S Malo 
said.

The researchers have also developed a home-based mechanism to test the 
deficiency of the enzyme.

"Diabetes is one of the most prevalent non-communicable diseases 
globally.... the number of people with diabetes is increasing rapidly in 
Bangladesh," Dr AK Azad said. 

Poor lifestyle is largely responsible for the rising cases of diabetes in 
the country; he said adding, unhealthy lifestyles include inadequate physical 
activity and fast food-dependent food habit. 

"Roughly 85 lakh people are suffering from diabetes disease in the 
country. Of them, proportion of type-1 diabetes is five percent while 95 
percent people are suffering from type-2 diabetes," Prof Azad added. 

Explaining the nature of diabetes disease, he said most of the people are 
being affected by type-2 diabetes due to lack of awareness and insufficient 
knowledge on nutritious food.
 
The health expert said many factors including everyday lifestyle
and genetic factors are associated with diabetes disease. "We can 
prevent 75 percent diabetes, if the people follow healthy living method... 25 
percent patients could control this non-communicable disease through 
maintaining health rules."