Can More Red Blood Cells Improve Diabetes?
Share
When you think about diabetes, red blood cells probably aren't the first thing that comes to mind. But new research suggests they may play a surprising role in controlling blood sugar—especially at high altitudes. Understanding this connection could open the door to new treatments for people with diabetes.
What Happens at High Altitude?
At high altitudes, the air contains less oxygen. To cope, your body produces more red blood cells (RBCs), which help carry oxygen throughout the body. Interestingly, people living in high-altitude regions—like the Andes or Himalayas—often have better blood sugar control and lower rates of diabetes. Scientists have wondered why, and now they may have an answer.
Red Blood Cells Do More Than Carry Oxygen
A recent study showed that red blood cells do more than just deliver oxygen—they also absorb glucose (blood sugar) to fuel their energy needs. At high altitudes, your body makes more of these cells, and each one takes in more glucose than usual. This means your red blood cells act like a "glucose sponge," helping remove extra sugar from the bloodstream.
What the Study Found
In mice exposed to low-oxygen conditions, researchers found:
- Blood sugar levels dropped significantly
- Red blood cell counts increased
- Glucose tolerance improved—even without changes in insulin
To confirm the role of red blood cells, researchers removed some from the mice, and blood sugar went back up. When they added more RBCs (even in normal oxygen), blood sugar dropped again. That shows red blood cells are both necessary and sufficient to improve glucose levels.
A New Way to Fight Diabetes?
The researchers also tested this idea in mouse models of diabetes. When they gave the mice a drug that mimics low-oxygen conditions—called HypoxyStat—blood sugar improved dramatically. It worked for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, without needing more insulin.
This opens up the possibility that we could treat high blood sugar by boosting red blood cells or activating their glucose-absorbing ability.
Important Things to Know
While the results are exciting, they're still early. Most of the testing has been in animals, and we need more studies before these ideas become treatments for humans. Also, raising red blood cell levels too much can thicken the blood and lead to health risks. So future therapies may focus on improving red blood cell function, rather than just increasing their numbers.
What This Means for You
If you're managing diabetes or at risk, this research highlights:
- The importance of exploring how the body uses glucose
- New ways we might support blood sugar control without relying only on insulin
- A better understanding of why some people living at high altitude have lower diabetes risk
While we're not there yet, these findings could inspire new treatments that help people manage blood sugar in safe, natural ways.