Posted: 18:34, 20 June 2022 | Updated: 20:25, 20 June 2022
People with type 2 diabetes may not even need to get out of bed to lose weight in the future. A new test will investigate whether breathing lower amounts of oxygen during sleep can improve blood sugar levels. Previous research has shown that hypoxia – low levels of oxygen in the body – can reduce appetite and burn more calories in people with type 2 diabetes. Led by the University of Portsmouth, the new study will include sleeping at home in a scene that limits element levels. Experts say it could help people with diabetes struggling to lose weight and speed up recession in those who are already active. Type 2 diabetes affects an estimated 4.4 million people in the UK, with 33 million believed to have the condition in the US. Being overweight or malnourished is responsible for almost every case of the disease, unlike type 1 which is usually genetic. Researchers at the University of Portsmouth are testing new oxygen scenes (pictured) to see if breathing less oxygen could help people with type 2 diabetes lose weight while they sleep. Current type 2 treatments include postprandial pills to regulate glucose levels and insulin vaccines if other medications no longer work. Other research has shown that living conditions with reduced oxygen levels at high altitudes can cause weight loss in obese men. Scientists are not yet sure why hypoxia helps with weight loss, but one theory is that when your lungs are not working as well as they should, your body has to work harder to breathe, which can burn more calories. In the new study, they will take part in home trials, sleeping in a tent set up by researchers for two 10-day periods. Throughout the trial, volunteers will be asked to wear smart screens, keep a food diary, and provide blood, urine, and stool samples to monitor the effects of hypoxia.
What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a common condition that causes the blood sugar (glucose) level to become very high. It can cause symptoms such as excessive thirst, excessive urination and fatigue. It can also increase the risk of serious problems with your eyes, heart and nerves. It is a lifelong condition that can affect your daily life. You may need to change your diet, take medication and get regular checkups. It is caused by problems with a chemical in the body (a hormone) called insulin. It is often associated with being overweight or inactive or with a family history of type 2 diabetes. Source: NHS They will also undergo body composition scans and monitor their blood glucose levels to help researchers understand how it affects their body weight and diabetes. During one of the periods, oxygen levels will be adjusted to 15 percent, similar to levels for airplane passengers or people living at high altitudes. Normal air is made up of about 21 percent oxygen. Dr. Ant Shepherd, an exercise physiologist, said that diabetes is a “long-term” condition in most people that puts them “at greater risk of developing other serious health complications, such as heart disease or eye problems.” “While it is possible to lose weight and lower blood glucose levels through dietary changes and increased exercise, there are a number of factors and barriers that make these lifestyle changes difficult for some people to start,” he said. The number of people living with type 2 diabetes is expected to reach 700 million worldwide by 2045. Dr Shepherd added: “It is vital that we find other successful interventions that can help us treat and manage the disease, reducing NHS costs and improving people’s daily lives. “There is already ample evidence from other studies that hypoxia improves control of blood glucose levels and leads to weight loss. “We are not entirely sure why this is happening, but we think it is likely to happen because it helps you burn more calories and suppress your appetite so that people do not feel so hungry.” Hypoxia can be fatal if not achieved under carefully controlled conditions by clinicians. Decreased oxygen levels can cause shortness of breath, headaches, confusion and unexplained exhaustion. In severe cases it can cause coma or even death. Reflecting on the scenes, test participant Janet Rennell-Smyth said: “You do not feel claustrophobic and when you get used to the noise of the camera, you do not feel different. “I like to participate in the study that may give us, in the future, alternative treatments for this disease. “I would recommend anyone who is able to volunteer and help with this study.”
