*Geek Box: Beta-Cells & Diabetes
Beta-cells of the pancreas release insulin in response to increases in blood glucose after a meal. Although insulin resistance, i.e., the diminished capacity of peripheral tissues to take in glucose, occurs early in the progression of glucose intolerant states, it is eventual failure of beta-cells that is considered the crux of type-2 diabetes as once beta-cells have failed, the ability to generate healthy insulin responses is lost (whereas factors like physical activity and pharmacotherapy can increase glucose uptake and improve insulin resistance). Dietary interventions may therefore improve glycaemic control, like low-carb diets, but may not restore beta-cell function. To date, the only interventions that restore beta-cell function involve massive weight loss – circa.15kg – with some promising emerging research on the use of very-low calorie liquid diets for 8-weeks achieving this effect. However, measuring beta-cell function is not easily achieved by using simple blood glucose regulation tests. This is just something to bear in mind when a study purports to find improved beta-cell function: the method used to quantify this will be important. More on this below…