Diabetes is caused by a deficiency in the production of insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels, or by the body’s inability to effectively use insulin. There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. While both types can lead to serious health problems, there is significant evidence that umbilical stem cells are providing an effective solution for improving the symptoms and progression of these diseases.
How does stem cell therapy help type 1 diabetes?
Type 1, also known as juvenile diabetes, is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This type of diabetes typically begins in childhood and requires lifelong insulin therapy to manage blood sugar levels.
Umbilical stem cells have shown impressive results in treating type 1 diabetes by replenishing the lost insulin-producing cells and restoring the function of the pancreas. In clinical trials, patients with type 1 have experienced reduced dependence on insulin therapy and improved blood sugar control after receiving umbilical stem cell transplantation.
Stem cell therapy for type 2
Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is a metabolic disorder that occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin and cannot effectively use it to regulate blood sugar levels. This type of diabetes typically occurs in adulthood and is often associated with obesity, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diet.
Umbilical stem cells have been effective in treating type 2 by improving insulin sensitivity and restoring normal glucose metabolism. In studies, umbilical stem cells have been found to reduce inflammation, promote the growth of new blood vessels, and regenerate damaged pancreatic cells, all of which can contribute to the improvement of type 2.
In addition to their potential for improving insulin production and sensitivity, umbilical stem cells also have the advantage of being easy to obtain and have shown no risk of rejection.
Umbilical mesenchymal stem cells can be collected and stored for future use without causing harm to the donor or the newborn. Furthermore, umbilical stem cells are considered immunologically “naïve,” meaning they are not rejected by the recipient’s immune system, compared to other types of stem cells.
Umbilical stem cells have the ability to improve insulin production, sensitivity, and glucose metabolism in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, offering a successful solution for improving the quality of life for millions of people living with this chronic condition.
Why should diabetics seek stem cell therapy treatment?
Continuing with standard medical treatment contributes to the following which was obtained through a study published by The National Institutes of Health.
There is an inherent reduction of lifespan ranging between 7.6 and 19 years less with type 1 and 6 years less with type 2 as compared to a person that does not suffer with diabetes. Further, there is a substantial reduction of quality of life for those suffering with diabetes.
Quality of life is typically impacted by 4 things:
- Fear of hypoglycemia
- Complications of living with the disease
- The efficacy of self-management of diabetes
- Acceptance of living with diabetes
These four issues account for a negative impact of -57.3% in the quality-of-life score for diabetics vs non-diabetic individuals. Stem cell therapy lowers these risks and often alleviates the concerns connected to these risks.
According to diabetes.org – People with diagnosed diabetes incur average medical expenditures of $16,752 per year, of which about $9,601 is attributed to diabetes. On average, people with diagnosed diabetes have medical expenditures approximately 2.3 times higher than what expenditures would be in the absence of diabetes.
The cost of stem cell therapy diabetes.
What are the long-term effects of taking insulin
Some people say that they will continue to take insulin because insurance covers it. The long-term effects of taking insulin can be extremely difficult on the body. The effects vary depending on several factors, including the type of insulin, the dose, the frequency of administration, and the overall health of the individual. However, some of the general long-term effects of insulin use can include:
- Increased risk of hypoglycemia: Insulin can lower blood sugar levels too much, leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Over time, this can result in frequent episodes of hypoglycemia, which can lead to confusion, weakness, and loss of consciousness.
- Weight gain: Insulin can cause weight gain, especially if the individual is taking high doses. Weight gain can also increase the risk of developing obesity-related conditions, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
- Lipohypertrophy: Lipohypertrophy refers to the thickening or lumpiness of fatty tissue at the injection site. This can cause the insulin to be absorbed more slowly or unevenly, leading to fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
- Worsening of diabetic complications: Despite good control of blood sugar levels, long-term insulin use may not prevent the development of diabetic complications such as neuropathy (nerve damage), retinopathy (eye damage), or nephropathy (kidney damage).