Scientists have been trying to explain the causes of diabetes
for many years. Researchers at the University of Copenhagen and
Novo Nordisk A/S have now shown that the increased activity of
one particular iron-transport protein destroys insulin-producing
beta cells. In addition, the new research shows that mice
without this iron transporter are protected against developing
diabetes. These results have just been published in the
prestigious journal Cell Metabolism. Almost 300,000 Danes have
diabetes – 80 per cent have type-2 diabetes, a so-called
lifestyle disease. The number of people with diabetes doubles
every decade and the disease costs Danish society about DKK 86
million per day. People develop diabetes when the beta cells in
their pancreas do not produce enough insulin to meet their
body's needs. New research from the University of Copenhagen and
Novo Nordisk A/S links this defect to one particular cellular
iron transporter: "Iron is a vital mineral for the healthy
functioning of the body and is found in