Smart Insulin to Make Treatment Easier for Type 1 Diabetics

People with Type 1 diabetes will no longer need to inject multiple shots of insulin everyday to control their blood sugar level once ‘smart’ insulins that scientists have been developing pass a series of trials, say recent media reports. Scientists are optimistic that these smart insulins could revolutionize the way diabetes is managed as a single dose of these would keep circulating in the body, turning on and off when needed.

Currently, people suffering from Type 1 diabetes have to repeat blood tests and injections throughout the day to keep their blood sugar in check. Without insulin injections, their blood sugar level can get dangerously high. However, these injections can also make blood sugar levels drop too low.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation has been a source of funds for research on smart insulins.

"Taking too much insulin can drive someone's glucose levels too low, leading to a 'hypo', while taking too little means glucose levels rise too high, which can have a serious cumulative health impact in the long term.

A smart insulin would eliminate hypos – which are what many with type 1 diabetes hate most. It would enable people with type 1 diabetes to achieve near perfect glucose control, all from a single injection per day or even per week," said Karen Addington, chief executive of the Foundation in the U.K.

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Source-Medindia