Diabetes Cure

Cures for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes have proved elusive. The root causes and mechanism behind both forms of the disease are becoming more clearly understood all the time. By correcting bodily resistance to insulin, cures for both types of the disease are possible, but neither have been realised in a widespread sense.

In theory, type 1 diabetes should be relatively simple to cure, as the root cause behind the disease is quite basic. Several potential cures for type 1 have been created, and in some instances used successfully. These include pancreas transplants, and in some cases diabetic patients have become insulin independent. In most cases, however, the need remains for the patient to take immunosuppressive drugs.

Transplanting exogenous beta cells is another form of cure that has been applied, both amongst mice and humans. However, similar to transplant procedures, this has provoked a strong reaction from the immune system, which attacks the transplanted tissue. Other cell transplant procedures have been attempted, including stem cell research for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In most cases, the same mechanism that destroys beta cells in the first instance attacks stem cells.

Another possible cure may come from the microscopic, nanotechnological spectrum. In this instance, tiny insulin implants could meter out insulin to blood glucose levels as and when it is required. This type of cure is theoretically possible, and several scientists are working towards this future.

Discoveries that may one day contribute to a cure occur often.

Please check the Diabetes.co.uk News Archive for updates on potential diabetes cures and news of research on similar areas.