Over 30 million people in the United States are living with diabetes. That is about nine percent of the entire population of this massive country. Even more astonishing is that about seven million of those people are living with diabetes, undiagnosed.
This disease can cost the country about $245 billion dollars, annually. Understandably, a better way to manage the disease is imperative.
Well, it seems that researchers have found a way to help via tattoo ink.
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Traditionally, tattoos have been a fashion statement used to communicate a deeper meaning of significant importance.
However, researchers are saying that tattoos may help monitor diabetes, too.
Tattoos Change Colors to Indicate Blood Sugar Levels
Apparently, a team of researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard Medical School has created a tattoo ink that changes color according to blood sugar levels.
Three different inks have been created, each of which responds to either changing pH levels, sodium levels, or blood sugar levels.
As far as blood sugar levels, the ink changes from blue to brown as blood sugar levels rise.
Normally, people living with diabetes are required to test their blood sugar levels via a test strip. The test is to be taken every few hours in order to monitor any fluctuation in blood sugar levels.
In fact, those with type 1 diabetes check their blood sugar levels up to 10 times per day. As you can imagine, this can be a major impediment to normal living.
The latest technology has allowed people living with diabetes to monitor their glucose levels through continuous glucose monitor devices, which are inserted just beneath the skin in order to continually monitor glucose levels throughout the day.
Now, however, a tattoo ink may provide the same data.
If you’re not open to a tattoo, then no worries. However, if you’re interested in getting a tattoo and you are living with diabetes, then you may consider this new revolutionary ink.
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[expand title=”References“]
Healthline. URL Link. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
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