Scientists discover reason high altitude protects against diabetes: Study
Summary
Scientists have discovered that high altitude protects against diabetes because red blood cells absorb large amounts of glucose under low oxygen conditions, lowering blood sugar levels. A drug mimicking this effect reversed diabetes in mice.
Key Points
- Living at high altitude protects against diabetes by red blood cells absorbing glucose when oxygen levels are low.
- Red blood cells switch metabolism in low oxygen environments, acting as a glucose sink.
- A new drug, HypoxyStat, mimics low oxygen effects and reversed diabetes in mice.
- This discovery opens new avenues for diabetes treatment and has implications for other health conditions involving hypoxia.
