Oil from seals used to treat diabetes symptoms in groundbreaking study
GETTY A special type of oil that seals produce could help diabetes patients
A supplement derived from seal oil given to 40 Type 1 diabetes sufferers for 12 months showed their corneal nerve fibres increased in length by an average of 29 per cent. Type 1 diabetes can damage nerves in the eye leading to blurred vision and even blindness. Researchers in Canada now want to conduct a full clinical trial with hopes that, if successful, the supplements could be mass produced to provide a miracle remedy for the previously incurable effects of the disease.
The study was conducted by neurologists at the Krembil Neuroscience Centre in Toronto. Dr Evan Lewis, the study’s author, said: “Nothing like this has been attempted in humans before. Results from this trial are a very important step towards a clinical therapy for people with diabetic neuropathy. He addded: “These findings suggest that use of this supplement may have the potential to have a regenerative effect.”
Nothing like this has been attempted in humans before Dr Evan Lewis
Diabetic neuropathy can cause a number of symptoms besides degeneration of the corneal nerve fibres, including tingling in the hands, chronic pain and walking difficulties. The seal oil used in the supplement contains omega-3, similar to the oil produced by fish. A previous study conducted by researchers at the Guangdong University of Technology in China in April found that increased consumption of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could stop the body’s immune system from attacking beta cells in the pancreas - responsible for producing insulin.
Symptoms of diabetes Fri, August 19, 2016 Diabetes is a common life-long health condition. There are 3.5 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK and an estimated 500,000 who are living undiagnosed with the condition. Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 9 People should be aware signs and symptoms of diabetes are not always obvious and the condition is often diagnosed during GP check ups.
GETTY Tests have revealed the oil may be able to stop the degenerative effects of the condition
Type 1 diabetes develops when the immune system targets those cells. The trials were conducted on mice, and more tests on humans need to be done to determine the scale of omega-3 supplements’ preventative and restorative effects on Type 1 diabetes. A link between omega-3 and a reduced risk of Type 1 diabetes was also found by researchers in Finland in May.
GETTY A supplement made from the oil was given to 40 Type 1 diabetes sufferers for a year
They surveyed 8,000 children deemed at risk of developing Type 1 diabetes from the age of three months up until they were 15, and found that those who had consumed omega-3 through their mothers’ breast milk had a lower risk of developing the condition. Type 1 diabetes can be passed down genetically although the exact cause is unknown. It’s also been linked to viral infections and low levels of vitamin D. Prime Minister Theresa May is one high profile sufferer, who revealed earlier this year she must inject herself with insulin up to five times a day.
GETTY Type 1 diabetes can damage nerves in the eyes leading to blindness