Cake Helps Scientists Fight Disease

A family bakery has teamed up with a university to come up with a cake which could revolutionise the diagnosis of several killer diseases. Scientists believe the cake may aid the identification of a symptom closely associated with diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome and Aids. Each newly-baked flapjack contains a small amount of tracer - the naturally occurring stable isotope of carbon (c13) - which can be detected by a breath test once it has been eaten. That allows doctors to detect whether and how quickly the cake has been absorbed into the patient's system. The results can indicate whether a patient is suffering from a bowel disorder which impairs the digestion of medication used to treat diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome and Aids. The breakthrough has been made by the University of Dundee and the owner of a family-run bakery in the city.