Diabetes affects an estimated 415 million people worldwide, with type 2 diabetes (T2D) accounting for about 90% of these cases.
T2D develops when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin, the hormone responsible for lowering blood sugar levels. This results in persistently high blood sugar, which can cause severe health complications.
While researchers have long understood that high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) harms the pancreatic beta-cells that produce insulin, the exact mechanism behind this damage was unclear.
However, a recent study by scientists at the University of Oxford sheds new light on the process, revealing that the real problem lies not with glucose itself but with the byproducts created when cells break down glucose.
When we eat, our bodies break down carbohydrates into glucose, which enters the bloodstream and provides energy for our cells. In response, beta-cells in the pancreas release insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.
Insulin signals cells to absorb glucose, keeping blood sugar within a healthy range. If this balance is disrupted, it can lead to severe complications, such as nerve damage, kidney disease, and heart problems.
In T2D, beta-cells don’t completely stop working but lose their ability to release enough insulin. The study found that chronic high blood sugar speeds up the process of glucose breakdown inside these beta-cells.
This rapid breakdown leads to a “metabolic bottleneck,” where certain byproducts of glucose metabolism accumulate. These byproducts, rather than glucose itself, are what impair the beta-cells, preventing them from functioning properly.
Importantly, the research also discovered that slowing down the rate at which glucose is broken down can prevent this damage. This finding offers hope for new treatments that could slow or even prevent the decline of beta-cell function in people with T2D.
Blood sugar must be tightly regulated for the body to function properly. If blood sugar drops too low, the brain can quickly run out of energy, leading to unconsciousness.
On the other hand, chronic high blood sugar is equally dangerous, as it can cause long-term damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart. Insulin is the only hormone capable of lowering blood sugar, which is why beta-cells play such a critical role in maintaining health.
Unlike type 1 diabetes (T1D), where the immune system destroys beta-cells, people with T2D still have beta-cells, but these cells struggle to do their job. Their insulin supply is reduced, and the connection between blood sugar levels and insulin release is weakened.
This study highlights the importance of targeting glucose metabolism to improve beta-cell function and potentially slow the progression of T2D.
The findings also emphasize the need for a better understanding of how lifestyle factors, such as diet, affect diabetes. For instance, not all whole-grain foods are equally beneficial for managing blood sugar, and beverages like green tea and coffee may help reduce the risk of complications.
Other studies suggest that a healthy plant-based diet could lower the chances of developing T2D, but unhealthy plant-based foods might have the opposite effect.
This research, led by Dr. Elizabeth Haythorne and her team, was published in Nature Communications. It offers a promising new direction for developing treatments to address the root causes of beta-cell failure in T2D, providing hope for millions of people living with the condition.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about Vitamin D and type 2 diabetes, and to people with diabetes, some fruits are better than others.
For more health information, please see recent studies that low calorie diets may help reverse diabetes, and 5 vitamins that may prevent complication in diabetes.
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