Image Credentials: Image Title: Researchers Identify New Type of Diabetes Requiring Unique Treatment Source: (Sora.Openai) Date: September 2025. Attribution: Created using AI-generated imagery (Sora.Openai), this does not depict a real-world scene.
By Emma Cole | Staff Writer with Agencies *
Type 5 diabetes, linked to malnutrition, gains international recognition
Nearly 39 million American adults are currently living with diabetes, according to the latest data, with the vast majority diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, though less common, is also widely recognized. Now, researchers and international experts are highlighting a lesser-known condition, type 5 diabetes, also known as malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus (MRDM), as a distinct form of the disease requiring its own classification and treatment.
A Different Biological Pathway
Type 2 diabetes, the most prevalent form, is primarily linked to insulin resistance, often driven by obesity, family history, and poor lifestyle habits. It can sometimes be reversed through weight loss, exercise, and diet changes. Type 1 diabetes, in contrast, is an autoimmune or genetic condition that results in little or no insulin production, requiring lifelong insulin therapy.
Other known types include type 3c, caused by pancreatic damage, and gestational diabetes, which can develop during pregnancy.
Type 5 diabetes stands apart. It is rooted in chronic undernutrition, low body mass index, and health disparities, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Patients typically experience fatigue, recurrent infections, weight loss, frequent urination, and excessive thirst. Unlike type 2, these patients do not develop insulin resistance. Instead, their pancreas underproduces insulin due to poor nutritional development.
“Type 5 diabetes is known to develop in people with a low BMI who were chronically malnourished during development and adulthood,” said Tanya Freirich, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Charlotte, North Carolina. “However, those people do not share the same insulin resistance as people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.”
Formal Recognition and Debate
In January 2025, MRDM was formally classified as type 5 diabetes during an international meeting of experts in India. Its recognition was reaffirmed at the IDF World Diabetes Congress in Bangkok in April, where IDF President Peter Schwarz announced the creation of a dedicated working group to establish diagnostic criteria and treatment standards.
Despite international acknowledgment, the American Diabetes Association and the World Health Organization have yet to adopt type 5 as an official category. Some in the medical community remain cautious, while others argue its unique biology and public health impact justify independent recognition.
“The distinct biological mechanisms and clinical presentation of type 5 diabetes justify its separate classification,” said Dr. Bronwyn Holmes, a board-certified physician on Eden’s Medical Advisory Board in New York.
Diagnosis and Treatment Approaches
Diagnosing type 5 diabetes involves identifying patients under 30 with a history of malnutrition and a low BMI, supported by blood glucose testing. Treatment differs from standard diabetes management. Nutritional rehabilitation is central, with a focus on protein-rich diets and correcting deficiencies to restore pancreatic function.
“While some may require insulin, the dosage must be carefully controlled to avoid dangerously low blood sugar levels,” explained Dr. Jeffrey Hockings, founder and CEO of Diabetes Reversal Group in Texas. Oral medications may also play a role, alongside tailored diet strategies to address malnutrition and stabilize blood sugar.
Freirich noted that patients with type 5 diabetes are particularly sensitive to insulin, making dietary management even more critical. “The appropriate diet can help address malnutrition while ensuring blood sugars remain in the optimal range,” she said.
Looking Ahead
While recognition remains uneven across global health organizations, the emergence of type 5 diabetes underscores the diverse causes of the disease and the importance of tailoring treatments to different biological pathways. Experts stress that anyone experiencing symptoms of diabetes should seek professional medical evaluation to ensure timely diagnosis and appropriate care.
*References
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Diabetes Data and Statistics. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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International Diabetes Federation (IDF). World Diabetes Congress 2025: Proceedings and Announcements. Bangkok, 2025.
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Schwarz, P. (2025). Remarks at the IDF World Diabetes Congress. International Diabetes Federation.
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Hockings, J. (2025). Interview with Fox News Digital on type 1, type 2, and type 5 diabetes.
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Freirich, T. (2025). Expert commentary on malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus. Fox News Digital.
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Holmes, B. (2025). Expert interview with Fox News Digital on the classification of type 5 diabetes.
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World Health Organization (WHO). Global Report on Diabetes. Geneva: WHO Press.
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