This document discusses the link between diabetes and iron. It provides background on diabetes, noting that the number of diabetes cases is rising significantly worldwide. There are three main types of diabetes. The document also discusses the two types of iron (heme and non-heme), their sources, and absorption. Several studies have found an apparent relationship between iron metabolism and type 2 diabetes, with higher iron stores increasing the risk and iron depletion being protective against type 2 diabetes. The conclusion drawn is that higher iron stores seem to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes in healthy women, and heme-iron intake from red meat is associated with type 2 diabetes risk, while heme-iron from non-red meat is not linked to diabetes.