The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that around 422 million people are suffering from diabetes, with over 1.5 million losing their lives annually due to the condition. Those affected need insulin injections up to ten times a day. While insulin shots have been effective, they’re far from perfect.
After many years of research, scientists have finally cracked a huge part of the Type 1 Diabetes puzzle. They’ve developed smart insulin that imitates the body’s natural response to changing blood sugar levels instantly. The Diabetes Type 1 Grand Challenge has allocated more funds to the institutions’ research, enabling them to fast-track the drug’s development.
Understanding Type 1 Diabetes
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Type 1 Diabetes is a medical condition whereby the immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. As a result, the immune system hinders the body’s ability to produce insulin. It is a hormone that is essential for regulating blood sugar levels. Its absence causes the body to build up glucose, which leads to high blood sugar levels that can cause serious health issues.
People suffering from Type 1 Diabetes need to take insulin shots, at times even 10 times a day. The injections help control blood sugar by providing cells with glucose that they can absorb for energy. However, the shots do not fully manage the condition. Blood sugar levels require constant monitoring at careful times to ensure it remains within the appropriate range.
Its improper administration can cause hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), which can cause fatigue, extreme thirst, frequent urination, and blurred vision. Uncontrolled blood sugar over a prolonged period can cause heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, and even death. Therefore, insulin is very important for people living with Type 1 Diabetes.
The Promise of Smart Insulin
The standard shots only work for short periods after they’re administered, meaning people with Type 1 Diabetes need multiple injections a day to keep their blood sugar levels in check. However, with the innovation of glucose-responsive insulins (GRIs), things will drastically improve for patients. GRIs release insulin when blood sugar rises, preventing hyperglycemia (high blood glucose).
Once the levels stabilize, the new medication goes into a dormant state to prevent hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). Experts believe that the development of this new smart insulin may help people living with Type 1 Diabetes, for they might need to take insulin only once a week. The advantage is it will offer a more flexible way of managing the condition. This innovation holds the key to revolutionizing diabetes care, changing millions of lives worldwide.
Expert Insights on Smart Insulin
The Australian Broadcasting Corp. had a conversation with Christoph Hagemeyer, a professor at the Australian Center for Blood Diseases at Monash University and a lead researcher in the study. He shared how the technology works, he said,“ Smart insulin is responding to sugar levels in the blood. In our case, we are not making the insulin molecule smart, but we are loading the insulin onto a nanoparticle, which has a built-in mechanism that changes its charge from positive to negative when the sugar levels go up.”
The Guardian also interviewed some experts who were directly involved with the project and shared some insights. Dr Tim Heise, who is the vice-chair of the novel Insulins scientific advisory panel for the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge, said, “Even with the currently available modern insulins, people living with type 1 diabetes have to put lots of effort into managing their diabetes every day to find a good balance between acceptable glycaemic control on the one hand and avoiding hypoglycemia on the other.”
Conclusion
Smart insulin has brought a glimpse of hope in diabetes care, promising to change the lives of millions of people living with Type 1 Diabetes. With its ability to act like the body’s natural response to changing blood sugar levels, this advancement could greatly reduce the burden of daily injections and the risks that come with the condition. With the allocation of more funds to speed up the process, we can only hope that those affected will soon find relief.
Disclaimer: This article is intended simply to provide information. It does not replace the medical advice of a physician or other medical professional. Please speak with your doctor or therapist if you have any questions or concerns.
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