Source: Fox News
Summary
A new study from the Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco found that living at high altitudes may lower the risk of diabetes due to the way red blood cells behave in low-oxygen environments. The study, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, revealed that red blood cells absorb large amounts of glucose from the bloodstream at high elevations, acting as a “sponge” for sugar. This shift in metabolism also lowers circulating blood sugar, which may explain the lower diabetes risk seen in mountain-dwelling populations.
Our Reading
The advice sounds familiar.
Research on high-altitude living and its effects on diabetes risk has been ongoing, with previous studies suggesting a link between the two. This new study sheds light on the mechanisms behind this connection, highlighting the role of red blood cells in glucose metabolism. The discovery could lead to new ways of controlling blood sugar levels.
High-altitude living may be the new “sugar-sponge” – a natural way to lower diabetes risk.
Author: Evan Null
