Can the Dead Sea Treat Diabetes?
August 30, 2011
The Dead Sea waters are known for their therapeutic effects, especially for skin conditions such as psoriasis. Now BGU researchers have found that the Dead Sea could help diabetes sufferers as well.
According to an initial study conducted by researchers from BGU’s Faculty of Health Sciences and Soroka Medical Center in Beer-Sheva, a short dip in the Dead Sea facilitates a drop in blood glucose levels and could improve the medical conditions of diabetics.
The study, involving an initial sample group of 14 individuals between the ages of 18 and 65 who have type 2 diabetes, took place in a covered pool filled with Dead Sea water at a temperature of 35 degrees Celsius.
Following a 20-minute, one-time dip in the Dead Sea water, the study subjects showed a significant 13.5 percent drop in blood glucose levels, from an average of 163 mg/dl to a value of 151 mg/dl immediately after the dip.
An hour after the dip in the Dead Sea water, the subjects’ blood glucose levels dropped even further, to an average of 141.4 mg/dl.
“These are findings from an initial study from which it is difficult to draw conclusions at this stage,” said research team leader Prof. Shaul Sukenik of Ben-Gurion University, who served until recently as the director of the Internal Medicine Department at Soroka. “Nevertheless,” Sukenik continued, “the results are promising.”
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