Could This Vitamin Change How We Treat Diabetes?

Glucose testing strips. Pricked fingers. Prescription medications. Insulin injections. Restricted diets. If you have diabetes, you’re probably tired of the day-to-day that comes with living with it. Well, we have good news. Until recently, scientists did not realize there was any relationship between the level of vitamin A in your body and diabetes --- but a recent breakthrough could change everything.

The Inventive Study

Newer research conducted by the Lund University Diabetes Centre found that insulin-producing cells have a surface receptor designed for Vitamin A. All surface receptors serve a purpose, so they took a much closer look at why the cells were interacting with vitamin A.

Researchers gathered cells from both healthy and type 2 diabetic mice. When they blocked the vitamin A receptors and then presented the cells with sugar, the cells had a hard time secreting the insulin. Further testing showed that beta-cells were unable to resist inflammation without vitamin A. As a matter of fact, the cells died if they were completely deficient. This is incredibly important research for type 1 diabetics because of the way beta-cells develop in early childhood.

The Future and Hope

The drawbacks? This research doesn’t mean diabetics should run out and start taking vitamin A supplements. Too much vitamin A can actually cause osteoporosis, impaired night vision, and skin issues. The search isn’t over, though. Science can now look at innovative ways to deliver vitamin A to the cells without having negative side effects. When that happens, future treatments for diabetes will be absolute game-changers.