#LiveWell: Diabetes UK: What Is Diabetes?

There are 4.5 million individuals in the United Kingdom who are currently suffering with diabetes with an additional 11.9 million individuals also at increased risk of getting Type 2 diabetes.

Individuals suffering with diabetes generally have to deal with short-term or long-term complications as a result of being diabetic.

According to a recent survey, 25% of the population in the United Kingdom believed that diabetes is not a cause for concern. At present, Diabetes UK are now investing £2.8 million in complications research of diabetes.

Of the £2.8 million which is being invested into complications research, 28% of the £2.8 million is designated for kidneys (£792,224), 22% on the heart (£632,862), 21% on eyes ((£594,519), 15% on the brain (£428,869) and 14% on feet (£406, 256).

Scientists are also developing a new cell-based treatment of individuals with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes who are utilizing insulin therapy.

A team in Switzerland have engineered human kidney cells to release insulin in response to blood glucose levels. In turn, these designer cells could potentially be placed in a capsule and implemented under the skin to effectively treat both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in the future.

What Is Diabetes? (Video)