Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Albert Einstein College of Medicine have identified blood metabolites (small molecules produced during metabolism) that are associated with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.[1] The study followed 23,634 people from ten ethnically diverse groups for up to 26 years and analyzed 469 metabolites in their blood samples along with genetic, dietary and lifestyle data.[1] The researchers discovered 235 metabolites associated with a higher or lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, 67 of which were novel discoveries.[1] They created a unique signature consisting of 44 metabolites that better predicts future risk of type 2 diabetes than traditional risk factors.[1] The identified metabolites have a genetic link to clinical features and tissues relevant to this disease.[1] Researchers plan to continue investigating the biological mechanisms of diabetes in order to develop targeted prevention strategies for people at high risk.[1]