VANCOUVER -- Too much fat in our diet or carried around our waist can lead to insulin resistance. Type 2 diabetics either don't make enough insulin to regulate their blood sugar or they can't use the hormone properly because of this resistance. Now researchers say there may be a way to prevent the disorder from worsening, so these diabetics don't have to end up injecting insulin to manage their condition.
When Grant Vanston found out he had type 2 diabetes, 10 years ago, he topped 250 pounds. The extra weight, his inactivity, along with his family history likely contributed to the disease development.
GRANT SAYS: "THIS IS MY INSULIN THAT I TAKE.. IT'S A LONG-ACTING INSULIN. I TAKE IT AT NIGHT JUST BEFORE I GO TO BED AND THAT HELPS MY SYSTEM AS I SLEEP."
DR. BRUCE VERCHERE SAYS: "TYPE 2 DIABETES IS A DOUBLE WHAMMY , PATIENTS ARE INSULIN-RESISTANT, THEY DON'T RESPOND WELL TO INSULIN AND THEY DON'T MAKE OR SECRETE ENOUGH INSULIN TO COMPENSATE FOR THAT INSULIN RESISTANCE AND WHAT'S WORSE OVER TIME, THE BETA CELLS FAIL, THEY DIE."
So many type 2 diabetics end up having to inject insulin, like those with type one diabetes. Researchers know that dietary and excess abdominal fat cause insulin-producing cells in the pancreas to fail over time, but they're not sure how. Dr. Verchere believes the key to keeping type 2 diabetics off insulin is to stop the formation of toxic plaques in the pancreas.
DR. VERCHERE SAYS: "THE ISLETS, THE CLUSTERS OF INSULIN-PRODUCING CELLS DEVELOP PLAQUES, AMYLOID PLAQUES, VERY SIMILAR TO THE AMYLOID PLAQUES THAT OCCUR IN BRAINS OF PEOPLE WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE ALTHOUGH ITS MADE OF A DIFFERENT PROTEIN. WE THINK THAT AMYLOID PLAQUES ARE TOXIC TO THE BETA CELLS, THEY ACTUALLY KILL THE BETA CELLS."
If these plaques can be broken up, Dr. Verchere believes insulin-producing cells can be saved, preventing the progression of type 2 diabetes in people like Grant. After his diagnosis, Grant took up running. He dropped some 70 pounds and is convinced he would've been on insulin a lot sooner, had he not started running with Team Diabetes.
Research into breaking up the protein plaques is still very much in the early stages, so right now diet and exercise along with medication are still the best ways for type 2 diabetics to stay on top of their condition. Grant did this by joining team diabetes. If you'd like to take part in the upcoming runs in Iceland, you can go to the website, www.teamdiabetes.ca
Monday January 23, 2006
