Diabetes and Microwaves?
Written by Chloe Chou
Edited by Hannah Parducho
Jan 18, 2021
Edited by Hannah Parducho
Jan 18, 2021
Microwaving the diabetes away? This may sound far-fetched, but researchers at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine have evidence that this isn't too far from the truth. The answer lies in electromagnetic fields, or EMFs. These invisible fields of energy are everywhere! In fact, you probably spend hours gazing into an important EMF emitter without even realizing it. EMFs are emitted by many common electronic devices including microwaves, radios, navigational devices, and our beloved mobile devices. EMFs are also on track to help diabetics manage their blood sugar levels less invasively compared to current diabetes management methods that require several painful injections daily. Researchers studying metabolism and diabetes stumbled upon this discovery when they realized that the mice borrowed from the EMF research group, which were expected to be diabetic, had normal blood sugar levels.
The role of EMFs in biology is deeply intertwined with certain small biological molecules in animals that function as “magnetic antennae.” In animals, these magnetic antennae allow them to sense earth’s magnetic fields, which they use for navigation. While humans may not use these magnetic antennae to navigate, per se, they still play an important role in our health. One type of magnetic antennae in humans is the superoxide molecule which plays a crucial role in regulating the body’s response to insulin. Current research suggests that exposure to EMFs alter the signalling of the superoxide molecule, which then begins a cascade of chemical reactions in the body. Eventually, various molecules in the liver become altered and rebalance the diabetic’s biological response to insulin. This is crucial as insulin’s function is to regulate our blood sugar levels, and people with diabetes tend to either lack insulin or are no longer able to use insulin properly.
The main draw of EMF treatment of Type 2 diabetes is that its effects are long lasting and are less troublesome for the patient. Just a few hours of exposure to EMFs, which are about a hundred times stronger than Earth’s magnetic field, during sleep was able to reverse insulin resistance in only three days. Although current research has mainly involved mice and human liver cells, human trials may start soon since the current evidence is very promising. Researchers from many prominent institutions have now teamed up to help bring EMF therapy to the market. They envision that their project will allow sufferers of Type 2 diabetes to control their blood sugar levels in a way that will simplify their daily routines. In a broader sense, they hope to expand research into finding non-invasive treatments for common diseases. Perhaps in a few years we will see EMFs expand beyond our microwaves and phones and into life changing treatment for diabetic patients.
Works Cited
University of Iowa Health Care. "Remote control of blood sugar: Electromagnetic fields treat
diabetes in animal models: Study suggests EMFs alter redox signaling to improve insulin sensitivity." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 6 October 2020. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201006153507.htm>.