Recent research from the University of Montreal shows that an enzyme called G3PP can prevent high blood sugar levels from damaging organs and insulin-producing beta cells. This means it could be used as a treatment to help prevent Type 2 diabetes or limit complications from diabetes. This story was reported by Diabetes.co.uk, a Type 2 diabetes news site in the United Kingdom.
The research shows that G3PP (or Glycerol-3 phosphate phosphatase), can counteract a similarly named enzyme called G3P (Glycerol-3 phosphate), which can cause damage to organs and beta cells. The good enzyme breaks down G3P and diverts excess glucose away from important cells, according to researchers. The enzyme also may be able to help in the fight against obesity, as it also can prevent fat formation, according to a report in Science Daily.
High blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, can cause a host of serious side effects if not brought down over time. These include eye, kidney and nerve damage, cardiovascular disease, stroke, decreased ability to heal from wounds, and poor circulation. This treatment sounds promising, but it will need to be proven safe and effective in animal models before progressing to human trials, when it will again need to be proven a safe and effective treatment. Until then, it’s best to employ tried and true methods to lower blood sugar levels, including taking prescribed medications, eating a diabetes-friendly diet, and testing blood sugar levels frequently.
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