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Tim Lundeen's avatar

Insulin-secreting beta cells do not have high levels of ACE2, so are probably not affected directly by spike protein. But they have a rich blood supply, and the micro-vasculature has lots of ACE2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33207245/

Beta cells are highly sensitive to reactive oxygen species (ROS), because they have to sample blood for glucose levels and that sampling itself creates ROS. So spike protein triggers ROS in the microvasculature, killing some of the beta cells.

When beta cells die, it's a double whammy. Pancreas islets are a mix of beta (insulin) and alpha (glucagon) cells. Beta cells sample for glucose, and if they detect it they turn off glucagon secretion. When the beta cells die, there's no shut-off for the alpha cells, and baseline glucagon levels increase, which tells your liver to convert stored glycogen to glucose. This constant baseline increase in glucagon requires even more insulin to be produced by the remaining beta cells (because insulin receptors respond to the net insulin:glucagon balance), so they run even higher ROS and accelerated death rates.

Beta cells do regrow, albeit slowly, if you can reduce ROS enough. I used to be 50 pounds overweight and borderline diabetic, now have normal weight and no blood sugar issues afaik, but it took years to figure out how to resolve it. Partly learning enough and sorting through all the conflicting information, partly time to heal/regrow.

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Mel's avatar

Type II diabetes does not simply affect overweight people or people who “eat too many carbs.” There is a hybrid diabetes that is classified as Type II, but these folks are often of completely normal weight and yet, need insulin, not just oral hypoglycemic agents. Don’t rag on Steve or his diabetes “causes.” He shared something intimate with all of us fand the body is a complex machine as are its genetics. Let’s be supportive of each other. Every “body” is different and responds in complexity with one’s environment and genetics, and habits. Best of health to you, Steve. We are truly grateful for your tireless work for us all. You are a true humanitarian.

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