**6. Conclusions**

Beta cells serve to prevent metabolic diseases by biosynthesizing and secreting insulin to maintain glucose homeostasis. Stressed and inflamed beta cells are functionally compromised and cannot adapt to e ffectively respond to increased insulin demand which advances beta cell dysfunction towards failure and diabetes. Beta cell preservation and replenishment, through novel agents, healthy lifestyles of balanced diets and regular exercise, maintains beta cell physiology and sustains adaptation [56]. Novel therapies should focus on beta cell protection and functional recovery in early diabetes, and support beta cell mass replacement in late diabetes [65]. Targeting pro-inflammatory mediators and redox balance are viable strategies for diabetes prevention and treatment, given their roles in the beta cell dysfunctional transitions.

**Funding:** The author is supported by the National Research Foundation (South Africa). **Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.
