New research is revealing that cells passed from mother to child during pregnancy could be used to treat diabetes. Scientists found these cells can develop into functioning islet beta cells which produce insulin in the pancreas.

Scientists studied 172 individuals and took pancreatic tissue from four deceased males. They found small numbers of female islet beta cells able to produce insulin. There was no evidence the mother's cells were causing damage or becoming the target of an immune response. However, the team found more maternal DNA in the blood of children and young adults with type 1 diabetes than in healthy individuals. Researchers believe the maternal cells may be helping to regenerate tissue in the pancreas.

I heard about this study last year. It sounded quite promising and led me to wonder if I had a child - could the stem cells from the umbilical cord become healthy beta cells for me? Sure. However, the big question still remains - how can I stop the killer Ts from spanking my islets in the first place?

Those of us who don't have a metabolism like Sea biscuit might fall for the too good to be true ads every time. This time the object of my curiosity is Diamaxol. The product was formerly called Diabeticine, but the FDA didn't like the hint of medicine in the name, so the manufacturers changed it.

The product supposedly reduces blood sugar levels, eliminates (strong word) insulin resistance, and normalizes insulin production. A partial list of Diamaxol ingredients include: Banaba, Guggle (Guggul), Bitter Melon, Licorice extract, Cinnamon herb powder, Gymnema Sylvestre, Yarrow, Cayenne, Juniper Berries, Huckleberry, and Vanadyl Sulfate How exactly does Diamaxol claim to work it's magic? It's not magic - it's simply science. The magic behind the formula is actually the miraculous human body doing its job. Diamaxol is more like the stage crew for David Copperfield, rather than the show itself.

Diamaxol interferes with glucose absorption and prevents the stimulation of glucose from the liver. This effectively reduces blood sugar levels. It also eliminates insulin resistance by repairing cell receptors to better handle insulin. Scientists agree, insulin resistance is one of the leading causes of type 2 diabetes. The normalization of insulin production is restored (in type 2) and replaced (in type 1) by an organic compound. Curiously enough, banaba is at the top of the list of ingredients. Banaba contains corosolic acid, which activates the transport of glucose across cell membranes, resulting in blood sugar reductions. It has been used in the Philippines for years to treat diabetes. Because the FDA has approved Diamaxol as a supplement, at least we know that it can't hurt. Sounds interesting, perhaps worth looking into - but is it worth the $75 to $100 a bottle?

Islet transplantation has become an enticing answer for a better Band-Aid in treating diabetes, both type 1 and 2. In type 1 diabetes the problem is the destruction of islets. About 15% of those with type 2 diabetes have the same problem of islet destruction, just as in type 1 diabetes. The age old problem with all transplanted cells is the recipient's immunity rejecting them as foreign bodies. Look no further than the ocean blue for a promising resolution.

Cerco Medical is developing a better Band-Aid to treat diabetes with a seaweed encapsulation technology. Their method uses a thin-sheet of encapsulated islets that is surgically attached to the liver. The sheet of islets is thinly coated with kelp to prevent immune rejection, and allow the islets to release insulin without allowing T-cells to enter and destroy the islets. This is a promising technique to potentially restore normal blood sugar control in diabetes.

Of course, the biomedical industry is quickly becoming the next dot-com. So the islet shortage is not a concern. With the advent of remarkable technologies, we can conceivably generate our own islets without having to sacrifice fetuses, wait for islet donors to die, or slaughter Billy Bob's best porker. The future of the better Band-Aid is closer than we think!