Reaching For Beta Cells

Sissons, Beth. “Beta Cells in Type 2 Diabetes: Science Explained.” Www.medicalnewstoday.com, 25 Oct. 2021,

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/beta-cells-in-type-2-diabetes#beta-cell-survival.

This article talks about how even in type two diabetic patients have a dysfunction in their beta cells like type one diabetic patients. It talks about how in type two diabetic patients the beta cells have to work harder which can lead them to being overworked. This can also lead them to be dysfunctional overtime which can be very dangerous for the patient. If the beta cells are overworked, then they might also just die off as well. Many dysfunctional beta cells can also lead to insulin resistance in the patient, where they cannot take in the insulin that the pancreas produces to turn the food that they eat into energy. This can lead to hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis in the body as well. The beta cells produce different types of hormones, and the hormones that they release are called Amylin and C-peptide. Amylin is a hormone that slows down the amount of glucose that enters the bloodstream which can slow down the insulin production for the person. The C-peptide hormone helps prevent nerve damage and it is released in equal amounts as insulin. They are also released at the same time into the body. The C-peptide hormone levels also show the amount of insulin the body is producing. However, in type two diabetic patients, at least half of their beta cells would have died if they have had type two for a while. This means that these hormones are not working as well as they are supposed to. 

A few things that I have learned from this research is that beta cells have not only affected type one patients, but type two as well. I have also learned that type two diabetic patients can regain their beta cells if they lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. This could lead to better improved blood sugars as the hormones are returning to their normal state. However, if the patient starts to go back to their unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle, it can lead to beta cell death of dysfunctionality once again. If there is still a problem with one’s beta cells even after maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eating habits, then one can turn to medication that can help with the functionality of the beta cells. Some medications are the Incretin-based medications and the SGLT2 inhibitors. The Incretin-based medications cause the patient to eat less because they feel full longer after taking the medications. This will lead to less food consumption which will also lead to less intake of insulin. The SGLT2 inhibitors will help with the amount of glucose/ ketones that will be removed from the body in urine form. This will allow for the blood sugars to be maintained and balanced. If the beta cells are being overworked, then it will lead to further death of the cells, which means that one must also keep exercising, looking at their diet and making sure that it is balanced as well. All this to ensure a proper functioning group of beta cells.