According to a press release from the University of Portsmouth in the U.K., they are looking for volunteer participants for a trial that will test hypoxia, which is a state where the human body does not receive enough oxygen.
The goal of this trial test would be to determine whether this method can work as an intervention for Type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that is often seen in those older than 45, affecting about 1 in 10 US citizens today.
The most common treatment includes maintaining a healthy BMI as well as reducing one’s blood sugar levels through both diet and exercise.
However, researchers have realized that there are many factors that can keep diabetic patients from being able to make those important health changes in their lives.
This is why this breakthrough method seems to be such great news!
After all, many different studies have already shown that hypoxia is able to not only improve blood sugar levels but also help with weight loss.
At this point in time, scientists are not really sure how it works but it appears that hypoxia can burn more calories which leads to lowering people’s appetite.
Naturally, with less intake and more expenditure of one’s stored energy comes successful weight loss during sleep for those who do so in environments with reduced oxygen.
So, Dr. Ant Shephard and his team at the School of Sport, Health and Exercise at the University of Portsmouth are now looking to further test that theory and try to replicate the results in Type 2 Diabetes patients under controlled conditions.
They are hoping to gain a deeper understanding of how it all works by recruiting 15 participants for the very first trial phase which allows the volunteers to be part of the study from the comfort of their own homes.
As for how it works, each participant will receive a sleeping tent that they have to use on two occasions, each one lasting for 10 days.
This is because the research team will be able to control the oxygen levels in the tents, setting it to about 15 percent, which is pretty much the amount we usually receive while at high altitudes.
The test trial will last for 8 weeks and the participants will also be required to wear smart monitors during that time as well as provide urine, blood and stool samples in addition to also keeping a food diary.
To understand how their bodies react to hypoxia, their blood sugar levels will also be monitored regularly.
