Dr. Camillo Ricordi, a pioneer in bioengineered pancreas transplants, is advocating for a paradigm shift in diabetes treatment. He emphasizes that prioritizing 'healthspan'—the length of time individuals live in good health—is crucial for improving the quality of life for millions worldwide.
\"Healthy lifespan must become a priority,\" said Dr. Ricordi, renowned for inventing the islet cell isolation technique for diabetes. Speaking with CGTN's Wang Mangmang, Ricordi introduced his groundbreaking ideas from his new book, The Healthspan Code: How to Reverse Biological Age.
For decades, insulin has been a life-saving treatment for diabetes. However, Dr. Ricordi points out that insulin therapy is associated with chronic complications and can trigger the body to attack it as a foreign substance. This often necessitates the use of anti-rejection drugs, which come with their own set of side effects.
While advancements like artificial pancreas and insulin pump systems have steadily improved the lives of those living with diabetes, the ultimate solution lies in finding a biological cure. Dr. Ricordi envisions using stem cell-derived islets produced in bioreactors, offering an almost unlimited supply to replace the pancreas’s insulin-producing function.
Diabetes is a growing global health crisis, with a recent study in The Lancet highlighting that China alone has seen diabetic cases soar from 98.4 million to nearly 141 million over the past decade. Dr. Ricordi underscores that this epidemic is not confined to China; it's a worldwide issue, predominantly driven by type 2 diabetes linked to lifestyle and nutrition.
\"Promoting a healthy lifespan can have profound economic benefits,\" Dr. Ricordi stated. Citing a study in Nature Aging, he highlighted that adding just one year to the global healthspan could save the economy $38 trillion. By focusing on healthspan, society can reinvest massive resources into other pressing global challenges.
Dr. Ricordi's vision calls for a collective effort to enhance healthspan through personal responsibility, such as maintaining healthy nutrition and engaging in regular physical activity. His message serves as a strong appeal to the international community to prioritize holistic health solutions in the fight against diabetes.
Reference(s):
Camillo Ricordi: 'Healthspan' must be prioritized in treating diabetes
cgtn.com
