TREATMENT for millions who suffer from type 1 diabetes is set to be completely revolutionised. Scientists have now developed a type of smart insulin that responds in real time, to whenever it is needed within the body. 1 This solution comes as close to a cure for type 1 diabetes as any drug therapy could Credit: Getty The 'holy grail' insulin mimics bodily changes in blood sugar levels, reducing the number of times sufferers need to treat themselves.
Type one diabetics currently must inject themselves with synthetic insulin up to ten times daily to survive. The constant fluctuation between high and low blood sugar levels can result in several serious health issues including eye damage and heart disease. Standard insulins stabilise blood sugar levels when they enter the body.
But once it has done its job, it cannot help prevent any more spikes. This is why patients need to inject more insulin again within just a few hours. In the future, experts believe sufferers may only need to take the newly developed insulin once a week.
They also believe this solution comes as close to a cure for type 1 diabetes as any drug therapy could. Most read in Health BLADE MAYHEM Two men rushed to hospital after machete attack horror on quiet Scots estate SWIFT EXIT Rangers outcast 'to undergo medical on Monday' as he closes in on shock exit COMEBACK KID Frozen out Rangers star hints at shock U-turn over Ibrox future COPS SHOOT Man in his 20s shot by armed cops in leafy street after fight between two people Millions of pounds of funding have been awarded to fast-track the development of the new glucose-responsive insulin (GRI), the Guardian reported. Scientosts at Stanford University in the US, Monash University in Australia and Zhejiang University in China are among those that have received £3million for six research projects to develop smart insulins.
Signs of serious diabetes foot problems Four of the projects are aimed at developing new GRIs, while another has been launched to find an ultra-fast-acting variant. Dr Tim Heise, the vice-chair of the novel insulins scientific advisory panel for the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge said the new GRIs would be the "holy grail" of insulin. He said the innovation would greatly help patients who currently have to manage their condition daily, balancing their glycaemic control while avoiding hypoglycaemia .
Insulin was co-discovered over 100 years ago in 1921 by Canadian surgeon Dr Frederick Banting and his assistant Charles Best. Dr Elizabeth Robertson, the director of research at Diabetes UK said the new solution would "significantly reduce the daily challenges" as well as the physical and mental health of those managing the disease. What are the symptoms of type 1 diabetes? See a GP if you have symptoms of type 1 diabetes, including: eeling very thirsty Peeing more than usual, particularly at night Feeling very tired Losing weight without trying Thrush that keeps coming back Blurred vision Cuts and grazes that are not healing Fruity-smelling breath Type 1 diabetes symptoms can come on quickly, particularly in children.
Source: The NHS.
