The following is a follow-up to a video I put on YouTube 3 years ago. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DX5BPBnoLA
A lot has been discovered in the past few years about the importance of c-peptide and I'd like to share some of it with everyone on TuDiabetes.
If you left c-peptide in insulin, it would not be effective in lowering blood sugar. In fact, it actually has dangerous effects because it cannot lower blood sugar.
C-peptide is not effective until AFTER insulin has moved glucose into the cell. The aftermath of blood sugar fluctuations (without c-peptide) result in complications. Without c-peptide, the complications happen faster.
People with Type 2 have c-peptide -- a lot of it! C-peptide can cause insulin resistance. Insulin works when it combines with glucose -- it's ideal that Type 2 diabetes is treated, first and foremost, with diet and exercise. This ultimately balances out the c-peptide and the energy needs (insulin function) in a body experiencing Type 2 diabetes.
I'd be willing to eat a humble pie if a person who is overweight and underactive cannot reverseType 2 diabetes by becoming more active and normal weight. For people who've experienced Type 2 diabetes as a result of a medication resulting in insulin resistance -- soon after the extraneous cause is removed the person should normalize their blood sugars.
An interesting fact about c-peptide is that it is not effective until it reaches the portal vein. Before then it just circulates in the blood (which is why you can test the blood for c-peptide levels). Once it reaches the portal vein, it adheres to the proteins that are used to rebuild tissues of the eyes, kidneys and peripheral nervous system. This is where c-peptide comes to life!
When insulin was first discovered -- about 10 years after doctors first started to see diabetes complications. It wasn't until 1967 when research about the biosynthesis of 'proinsulin' showed another peptide connected to insulin. But because it was not seen as important for blood sugar control -- it was dismissed as biologically inactive. Really? I'm not a scientific investigator but somehow I refuse to believe ANYTHING created by the endocrine system is biologically inactive!
It wasn't until about 30 years later that research started to look as thefunction of the 'connecting peptide' of insulin. As it turns-out, the Karolinska Institute in Sweden conducted studies that showed amazing results c-peptide has in protecting and REVERSING almost ALL of the microvascular complications and blood chemistry imbalances in long-term Type 1 diabetes. However, as soon as treatment with c-peptide discontinues -- the same dysfunction returns. Go figure!
Okay, I'm heated now. Anytime I talk about the crime of c-peptide removal I have to stop, bring it back to center and breathe. In the next few months an amazing company is going to begin recruiting for human trials of c-peptide. If you wish to learn more about this -- please visit their site at: http://www.cebix.com