A new treatment option for type 1 diabetes?

"Type 1 diabetes is a life-long autoimmune disease that is generally incurable and patients are dependent on insulin therapy

In the face of such a thorny disease, scientists have previously found that people with type 1 diabetes have altered gut flora, so their stool and blood have relatively low levels of short-chain fatty acids

Screenshot source: Microbiome

A recent study published in "Microbiome" showed that taking plant-based food supplements can improve the gut microbiota in patients with type 1 diabetes, which may increase the production of short-chain fatty acids, which can enhance the function of the immune system.

Short-chain fatty acids in the intestinal tract are produced by the digestion of dietary fibers by anaerobic bacteria in the colon.

The study was a single-arm pilot trial, and the investigators collected valid information from a total of 18 patients

All participants were followed up four times at weeks 0, 3, 6, and 12

After analysis, the researchers found that supplementation with HAMSAB remodeled the patients' gut microbiota and significantly affected the immune system

Dr Kirstine Bell, lead author of the study, from the University of Sydney's School of Medicine and Health, said: "While glycemic control and insulin requirements were generally unchanged after plant-based supplementation, the highest concentrations of SCFAs The participants, after supplementation, showed the best glycemic control

The study's corresponding author, Professor Eliana Mariño from Monash University, said: "Using this supplement for a longer period of time and starting early in the disease may prevent immune attack, protect islet B cells and improve glucose regulation

References

[1] Kirstine J.

[2] Potent food supplement may help halt the immune attack in people with diabetes.

[3] Wang Luxuan, Liu Yuehong, Zhu Jikai, Zhong Yu, Li Lisheng, Xu Jingdong.