STEM CELL FOR DIABETES TYPE 1 CURE

Stem cell research has brought a possible diabetes cure to within three years.

According to a Thursday story in National Geographic a researcher named Doug Melton is on the brink of curing DIABETES TYPE 1. Melton, a professor at Harvard University, has developed a way to make an unlimited supply of beta cells that the body uses to create INSULIN using  STEM CELLS, and protecting them against the body’s immune system. Insulin processes glucose in the human blood stream that otherwise would be toxic.
About three million Americans suffer from Type 1 Diabetes, a condition that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the beta cells in the pancreas. Diabetics are obliged to take regular infusions of insulin, either by injection or through a pump. Nevertheless, people who suffer from the disease are prone to nerve damage that can lead to blindness, foot amputations, and even premature death.

Beta cell transplants have already had limited use for treating diabetes. Unfortunately, since such transplants come from dead donors, recipients are obliged to take anti-rejection medication for the rest of their lives. However, since tissue created by stem cells have the same DNA makeup of the people receiving it, the problem of rejection is avoided.


Stem cells are viewed on a computer screen at the University of Connecticut`s (UConn)
Stem Cell Institute at the UConn Health Center on August 27, 2010 .

Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The second part of the cure consists of finding a way to protect the new beta cells so that they will not be destroyed by the body’s immune system once they are implanted. One approach involves an implantable device that would coat the new beta cells with a substance similar to algae so that immune cells would not stick to them. The other approach involves encapsulation, protecting the beta cells in a capsule that admits blood glucose but not immune cells.
The process has worked remarkably well in rodent studies. Government approval of human testing is about a year away. Two years of testing beyond that lays ahead before the treatment can be made widely available. If and when the stem cell treatment is available, millions will be liberated from regular injections of insulin and monitoring of blood glucose levels that are the lot of people with type 1 diabetes.

“We are now just one pre-clinical step away from the finish line,” Melton.stated. "It was gratifying to know that we can do something that we always thought was possible.”
The stem cell-derived beta cells are presently undergoing trials in animal models, including non-human primates, where they are still producing insulin after several months.
Diabetes currently affects more than 347 million people worldwide (10% of whom suffer from Type 1 diabetes developed in childhood)), and can lead to numerous health problems from neuropathy to heart and kidney disease, as well as blindness, etc.
Readers interested in learning more can find Melton’s study published in the journal Cell.

RED MEAT AND DIABETES RISK

A new study published June 17, 2013 in JAMA Internal Medicine showed that eating red meat over prolonged period of time increased the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.The study followed several men and women participants for four years and found that those who ate half a serving (about 1.5 ounces) less of red meat a day reduced their risk of diabetes by 14%. However, those who ate red meat and added half a serving per day increased their risk by 50%. Eating more red meat was also found to be associated with weight gain, and that weight gain accounted for some but not all of the increased risk of developing the disease.


 This study shows stronger evidence that supports other previous studies that have linked red meat consumption to an increased risk of diabetes. The findings in the study apply to both processed red meats, such as lunch meats and hot dogs, as well as unprocessed meats such as hamburger, steak, and pork.
Diabetes affects today almost 26 million adults and children in the US, and most have type 2 diabetes. A recommendation to consume less red meat may help to reduce the epidemic of type 2 diabetes. Red meat is the problem because of the high amounts of saturated fat, which cause inflammation in the body and thereby increases the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Instead, try eating lean cut of meat such as sirloin steak or top round steak or better yet try getting more protein from fish, poultry, and vegetarian plant-sources.

A plant-based diet includes grains (especially whole grains), beans, lentils, fruits, and vegetables to provide adequate protein for growth and repair. There is sound medical evidence that a plant-based diet contributes to longevity and good health. Plant foods are low in saturated fat, which reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Also, plants have much lower caloric concentration than animal protein overall, which allows for more food volume without excessive weight gain.

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