New test can predict diabetes remission after weight-loss surgery
Diabetes is a widespread disease affecting millions of people worldwide. It is often related to weight issues. Many who suffer from severe obesity opt for a special type of weight loss surgery called a gastric bypass.
Not only does this surgery help you lose significant weight, but it often results in an end to the symptoms of type 2 diabetes.
For doctors, however, the question arises: why does diabetes disappear in some patients and not in others?
University of Utah Health researchers think they have an answer. Let’s delve deeper into this fascinating discovery and what it means for patients.
The magic substance: ceramides
Imagine a substance in your blood that can tell doctors a lot about your health. Those are ceramides. These tiny, waxy particles, similar to cholesterol, are found in our blood.
High ceramide levels are associated with diabetes. Now, for the first time, researchers have found that they can also predict how a patient’s diabetes will behave after weight-loss surgery.
In simpler terms, if your ceramide levels are low before surgery, there’s a high chance your diabetes will go away for a while. If they are high, your diabetes may persist even if you lose a lot of weight.
What the study showed
To better understand ceramides, scientists conducted a large study. They tested the blood of over a thousand people, some who had surgery and some who didn’t.
They found that 73% of those who had low ceramide levels had their diabetes go away after surgery. Those with high ceramide levels weren’t so lucky, even though they lost a lot of weight.
Even more interestingly, this test can also provide insight into who may have diabetes come back within ten years, even after it has initially cleared.
But why is this important?
Well, knowing ahead of time can help doctors plan better. Based on these ceramide values, they can offer different advice and support services.
This is a big step towards “personalized medicine”, where doctors can offer treatments and advice tailored to each patient.
The Bigger Picture: Gastric Bypass and Diabetes
A gastric bypass is no small thing. In this surgery, doctors make a small pouch out of the stomach and connect it to the small intestine. This means patients eat less and feel full faster.
It’s a popular choice for people with severe weight problems. In the US alone, about 250,000 people have this surgery every year.
While many are aware of the benefits of weight loss, the impact on diabetes is less well known. In some patients, the diabetes goes away after surgery, at least for a while.
It’s almost like a two-in-one benefit. But until now, doctors could not predict who would get this extra bonus.
Summary
The discovery of ceramides and their role is exciting. But remember, this is just the beginning. More studies are needed to fully understand these small waxy bits in our blood.
What is promising, however, is the hope this brings. dr Scott Summers, one of the lead researchers, has a burning question:
Why do some people have high ceramides and how does this lead to diabetes? Finding that out could be a big win in the fight against diabetes.
In the meantime, if you or someone you know is considering gastric bypass surgery, it might be worth talking to your doctor about ceramides.
They could provide a glimpse into the future and help patients and doctors make informed decisions.
If you are interested in diabetes, please read studies that high blood pressure medication can protect the kidneys from damage in diabetes and that changing breakfast habits could improve the management of type 2 diabetes.
For more information on diabetes, see current studies Blueberries are of great benefit to people with metabolic syndromeand results showing common diabetes medications may increase heart attack risk.
The study was published in Med.
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