Diabetes is a condition where sufferers have too much glucose (sugar) in their blood. Approximately 3.2 million people in the UK have type 2 diabetes – with a million more undiagnosed – and we expect another 400 people a day, or 17 people an hour, to be diagnosed between now and 2025.
The University of Westminster’s Biomedical Sciences department is running an innovative study to examine the use of altitude to treat type 2 diabetes. Whilst type 2 diabetes can be reversed by diet and exercise, treating patients with mild hypoxia, or low oxygen levels, in an altitude chamber mimics the effects of exercise on the body, forcing it to use more energy even when resting. Even better for diabetics, this energy usage helps with the diabetic symptoms.
A previous study conducted by the team has shown that exposure to mild hypoxia for 1 hour showed that blood glucose levels were improved for the next two days.
Now, the Department is carrying out the a new phase of the study, by asking a group of type 2 diabetics to visit the lab for one hour, three days a week, for four weeks, to see if there is an increased effect from repeated exposure. The data from this study will both show if our approach is effective and if the test will make a safe, plausible treatment for type II diabetics in hospitals and community settings on a wider scale.
- have type 2 diabetes, are pre-diabetic, or would just like to know more about metabolic health
- are able to visit our central London laboratory
- are available for 1 hour on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings for four weeks
then contact Polly Aylwin on email@example.com or 020 7911 5000 ext 64582.
You will receive a £120 shopping voucher for compensation for your time. The study has been approved by the FST ethics committee.