Scientists have found that living at high altitudes might reduce the risk of diabetes, and they believe they’ve uncovered the reason behind this phenomenon.
A recent study from the Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco looked into how red blood cells function in low-oxygen settings. The research, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, shows that in high-altitude areas, red blood cells start soaking up a lot of glucose, almost like a sponge for sugar.
When oxygen levels drop, these cells adjust their metabolism, helping to deliver oxygen more effectively. This process also lowers the amount of sugar in the blood, which could explain why people in mountainous regions have a lower risk of developing diabetes.
In a previous study involving over 285,000 adults in the U.S., researchers found that individuals living between 1,500 to 3,500 meters above sea level were much less likely to have diabetes compared to those at sea level, even when factors like age, diet, and ethnicity were considered.
Isha Jain, a senior author and professor of biochemistry at UC San Francisco, noted that “red blood cells represent a hidden compartment of glucose metabolism that hasn’t been recognized until now.” She believes this discovery could lead to new methods for managing blood sugar levels.
Earlier experiments conducted by Jain’s team on mice revealed that they efficiently cleared sugar from their bloodstream when exposed to thin air. However, at first, researchers struggled to determine where the sugar went.
Yolanda Martí-Mateos, a lead researcher in the study, explained that after testing various organs, they found the answer: the red blood cells were acting as a critical “glucose sink.”
Under low-oxygen conditions, the mice produced more red blood cells that absorbed far more glucose than usual. The team even created a drug called HypoxyStat, which mimics the effects of high altitudes. In lab tests, this drug successfully brought high blood sugar levels back to normal in diabetic mice.
While the findings are promising, researchers pointed out some limitations. They focused on one specific mouse strain known for its sensitivity to blood sugar. Although humans show similar patterns, testing other strains could confirm whether the findings apply more broadly.
The team specifically studied young male mice, as age and sex can significantly affect red blood cell production. More research is needed to see if these results apply to older individuals and females.
“This is just the beginning,” Jain said. “There’s still so much to learn about how our bodies adjust to changes in oxygen and how we might use this knowledge to treat various health conditions.”
