It’s Diabetes Month.
What the Future of Research Looks Like, and the Role of Clinical Trials
November marks Diabetes Awareness Month, where we recognize the negative impact of the disease on those affected, and what we can do to mitigate and treat it.
Over 11 million people in Canada are currently living with prediabetes or diabetes. While much progress has been made in helping people manage their diabetes, its prevalence is not slowing down.
Diabetes Prevention as the Focus
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder where the body either can’t produce insulin on its own (Type I diabetes) or can’t adequately use the insulin it produces (Type II diabetes).
As insulin is critical to regulating blood glucose levels, those with diabetes can have severe or life-threatening symptoms and health complications that make managing the disease critical.
While Type I is genetic and typically diagnosed early in life, Type II diabetes is associated with dietary and lifestyle factors – and is largely preventable.
Risk factors include inadequate diet, lack of physical activity, and obesity. Numerous dietary interventions and products have been created to help those at risk for developing diabetes (or who are prediabetic) avoid being diagnosed with the disease.
How is Healthcare and Research Advancing to Keep Up?
The consequences of diabetes on our population aren’t only health related.
In Canada, over $50 million is spent on healthcare daily to treat diabetes and complications arising from it.[1]
One of the focuses in Canada, according to Diabetes Canada, is outlining and acting on a new national plan to support those living with the disease and where budget and resources should be concentrated.
According to the plan, 5 key things are needed:
It will be up to our government and the private sector to work toward these goals.
The Role of Clinical Trials in Diabetes Research
Science is getting closer, however, as we learn more about the pathways involved in disease progression and risk factors.
A big part of that involves clinical trials. By carrying out this important research in human participants, we will have a better chance at creating safe, effective therapies to better treat and manage diabetes.
Diabetes Clinical Trial – SciMar
At SNI, we are currently managing a clinical trial investigating the effectiveness of a diabetes treatment product for, Sci-Mar, a Canadian life sciences company committed to changing global health.
Learn more about Sci-Mar and how they are making waves in developing a new approach to treating diabetes.
If you want to get involved in a clinical trial as a participant at SNI, or know someone who does, click here.
Want to Learn More About Clinical Trials for Diabetes and Other Metabolic Diseases?
With nutrition playing a central role in metabolic health, more health product companies are looking to clinical trials to confirm product efficacy while advancing research.
Learn about SNI’s clinical research capabilities in metabolic health, and find out how we can help!
