Can you believe that your diabetes may be treated by simply popping in a probiotic pill? It is actually true, as researchers from Cornell University have made it possible through their early experiments. While probiotics are live bacteria present in your body, these are such good bacteria that may make your gut healthy. Some of the probiotics are also found in the food you eat. These helpful bacteria may have varied health benefits. These researchers have also tried to take advantage of the same quality of certain probiotics that can be beneficial in secreting insulin in the body.
The possibility of probiotics against diabetes
People with diabetes experience significant variations in their blood glucose levels, depending on the level of insulin produced in their bodies. If a probiotic pill is able to monitor the high blood glucose levels, then it can be an effective way to control diabetes. The same has been positively proved by the experiments that Cornell University researchers performed on rats. In their studies, these researchers have made use of a human probiotic that is found commonly in the gut. They engineered a strain of this probiotic called lactobacillus and administered it on rats through the oral method. This was done for around three months.
After the set period, these rats were examined and it was found that their high blood glucose had lowered down by about 30 percent. This was a significant lowering of the sugar level, which indicates the level of diabetes in an individual. The epithelial cells in the upper intestinal area of rats showed a conversion into such cells that monitor the blood glucose levels in normal individuals. The pancreatic beta cells in healthy individuals secrete insulin and control blood sugar. Thus, the administration of the probiotic indicated normal cell functioning in experimental rats.
Possible working of the method
In addition, it took the same amount of time to lower blood glucose levels in diabetic rats as the natural process took in case of healthy rats. The amount of blood glucose in healthy and diabetic rats also matched. It shows that the probiotic treatment has high effectiveness in cases with diabetes. The only difference is that the center of glucose control shifted from the pancreas in healthy rats to the upper intestine in diabetic rats. These researchers also tried to observe the effects of the same probiotic treatment on healthy rats. However, it was found that the blood glucose levels in healthy rats remained the same even after the administration of probiotics.
Thus, it is clear from the study that a healthy rat does not need extra insulin when its body is already able to manage the glucose levels. Researchers are now targeting to experiment with higher doses of probiotics so they may work out a suitable and complete treatment for those people who are suffering from diabetes. Additionally, there may be further experiments on humans so the exact effects can be observed. If these researchers are able to come out with a practical solution through the use of probiotics, then it can be a revolutionary finding for diabetics.
Probiotics can be easily administered in the form of small pills. It would be life changing for patients if they could just take a morning pill and keep diabetes away from them for the entire day. Currently, diabetics find it very hard to control their sugary diets and to avoid eating a variety of foods even in small quantities. If probiotic pills come in place as a daily treatment, then they can keep a check on their blood glucose levels even after consuming their favorite foods. Probiotic pills can be a real ray of hope for anybody with diabetes.
Summary
Treating diabetes with the help of probiotics has shown immense scope and possibility. While research and experiments are currently underway, the treatment is possibly a solid shot in the arm for the war against diabetes.