Diabetes Research: Scientists worldwide are striving to find solutions in the fight against the widespread disease diabetes. However, these solutions do not only include the search for new active ingredients to expand the therapy options for diabetics. No, it’s about much more.
If you keep up with the latest research news, you will have seen the artificial pancreas, and insulin as a nasal spray, are the latest approaches. But there is still more work to do. In this post we delve into what the latest news on diabetes is.
What is the Latest Research on Diabetes?
As you can see, the researchers’ approaches are multifaceted. Most of the research approaches take place in parallel to each other. Many different companies, federal agencies, and research teams are working tirelessly to contain and reduce the complications of diabetes.
Insulin spray for the nose: A research team from Tübingen took a closer look at the effect of insulin as a nasal spray. The results are astounding and may, in the future, make it possible to solve two problems at once.
A research team conducted a small-scale study with 52 participants. The participants in the study were 25 healthy and slim subjects, ten overweight and 12 obese participants. The researchers’ first finding was that nasally administered insulin reduces the feeling of hunger. They also found that the insulin nasal spray increases the insulin sensitivity of the cells. The treatment is particularly beneficial for people with diabetes who have developed increasing insulin resistance – i.e., the insulin is no longer adequate. The potential of the spray could be:
1) to help overweight diabetics lose weight
2) to increase the effect of the body’s insulin or the injected insulin
Why is Research Important for Diabetes?
Both mechanisms of these actions are fascinating, and there is hope that another large-scale study will follow soon. Daily blood sugar measurement is not necessary. It is undisputed that people with diabetes with daily insulin therapy should measure their blood sugar levels regularly. But it is the only way to prevent dangerous low or high blood sugar levels. In a study in the state, scientists now look at patients receiving oral antidiabetic therapy – with the standard drugs metformin or sulfonylurea.
The consideration was that regular measurement of sugar levels would not positively affect long-term sugar levels. Many diabetologists are advising patients to measure their blood sugar levels at regular intervals. The doctors argue with the idea that patients can be made more aware of their disease by taking measurements themselves and that they can switch to oral antidiabetics at an early stage.
What are Some Advances in Diabetic Research?
Some doctors believe that the measure unsettles many patients, and there is a concern about subsequent diseases forming. They also point out that the daily effort involved in measuring is exceptionally high. Thus, it can significantly reduce motivation and quality of life. The study was with 450 people with diabetes over 12 months. The result was that long-term glucose levels only improved in the short term through regular self-monitoring of blood glucose levels. As a result, daily measurement of the values is not necessary.
Stomach reduction as a therapeutic success up to healing. The long-term results of this surgical intervention in diabetes are impressive. A German study of 150 patients five years ago, with patients who were obese and had diabetes. Two years ago, the interim results of the survey looked promising. The 5-year results have been published, with the help of the operation completely curing diabetes patients.
Meanwhile, the other patients manage with very little oral antidiabetic therapy. Of course, gastric surgery is not an easy step. It should be carefully considered. But, the benefit of this invasive method seems to be proven.
Latest Diabetic Research?
Artificial pancreas: Numerous companies and research teams have been researching and developing this technology for decades. It has been available for almost a year now.
At the moment, such systems are only used by type 1 diabetics. It is not a pancreas like the one found in the human body but an intelligent system that automatically measures the sugar and automatically applies insulin adapted to the values. So it remains exciting whether this technology will be the new cure!