A new study released Wednesday points to bacteria found in human intestines as an indicator of an impending diabetes diagnosis.

According to U.S. News and World Report, researchers in the United States and South Korea collected data based on the study of 36 fecal samples provided by multiple sets of twins. The experts aimed to find links between Type 2 diabetes biomarkers, changes in gut microbiota, and host genetics.

Aside from the fecal samples, the twins also provided information about their lifestyle, medications, and dietary habits, along with supplying data on their age, height and weight, BMI, fasting blood sugar, and cholesterol. Using this information in combination with the samples, researchers were able to find some underlying connections.

“If these microbial shifts play a causal role in the onset of obesity or type 2 diabetes, they may represent not only novel markers for early diagnosis, but also a target for preventive therapeutic intervention,” the researchers wrote.

Medical News Today broke down the findings to a simplified explanation: the study of biological changes within twins substantiates that changes in the types and activities of the bacteria found within human intestines can lead to earlier diagnoses of type 2 diabetes.

The study found that a decrease in one probiotic bacteria within human intestines will often occur before the onset of diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease. The resulting inflammation is also associated with obesity.

Other research on the microbiome that makes up our gut has revealed that some microbes can cause inflammation, which leads to a lack of insulin production. This discovery has allowed doctors to find and understand new treatments for the disease.

This findings of this study may signify a breakthrough in the medical community. With the ability to detect the onset of type 2 diabetes before any other means may allow the scientific community to find alternative preventative measures that can keep the diabetes from becoming full-blown, such as a drastic change in diet and exercise. According to the American Association of Diabetes Educators, 30.3 million people were living with diabetes at the end of 2017. The American Diabetes Association predicts that as many as one-in-three adults will have diabetes by 2050, making it a very serious medical issue within the United States.