How Does Diabetes Compromise My Health?
Have you ever asked yourself that? What actually is responsible for compromising your health?
Diabetes has become an epidemic in the USA, with 34.2 million (10.5% of the population) suffering from this condition. Hand in hand with diabetes goes an increased oxidative stress or inflammation level.
Troubling Statistics:
- 346 million suffer from diabetes worldwide
- 2% will go on to lose their eyesight
- 10% will suffer from eye problems
- 10-20% will die from kidney disease
- 50% will develop neurological disorders
- 50% of deaths in patients suffering from diabetes are a result of cardiovascular events
WHAT IS DIABETES?
Diabetes Mellitus is an insulin disorder that impairs the body’s sugar metabolism. Insulin is the hormone that is responsible for the absorption of sugar into cells for energy.
There are two types of Diabetes Mellitus:
Type 1 Diabetes
Insulin producing cells in the pancreas are destroyed. This type of diabetes requires regular injections of insulin, without which the patient could lapse into a coma and die. 95% of of Type 1 Diabetics are diagnosed as children, and it is thought to be an autoimmune condition.
Type 2 Diabetes
Also known as ‘adult onset diabetes’, this occurs when the body gradually loses its ability to produce insulin and utilize insulin. Usually linked to bad eating habits, obesity and poor lifestyle, Type 2 Diabetes can often be moderated to a significant extent.
THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Diabetics can be considered immune-compromised because they are prone to more infections than they can typically resist. Fungal and bacterial infections are common. Sometimes their consequences are serious, such as gangrene and sepsis, which require immediate aggressive medical treatment.
GLUTATHIONE AND DIABETES
Glutathione plays an important role.
Many studies support the benefits of raising glutathione levels in diabetes.
Increased Glutathione levels will:
- Prevent circulatory problems such as arteriosclerosis and stroke
- Prevent the onset of infection
- Manage existing infection by optimizing the immune system
- Decrease oxidative stress from hyperglycemia
- Decrease platelet aggregation
- Prevent kidney damage
- Reduce retinal damage
- Limit nerve damage
- Retard oxidative stress and anemia in dialysis patients
Decreased Glutathione Levels Will:
- Poorly managed diabetics can have 500% higher oxidative stress levels
- Blood and tissues of diabetics are marked by critically low levels of glutathione, which may play a part in impaired insulin secretion
- Poor circulation results in increased wounds and ulcers that will not heal
- Higher levels of sugar suppress immune function, which puts a diabetic at greater risk for infections, both viral and bacterial
- Higher prevalence of vascular complications including:
- Atherosclerosis (including heart disease and stroke)
- Nephropathy (kidney damage)
- Retinopathy (retinal damage)
- Neuropathy (nerve damage)
What would you prefer: increased or decreased glutathione levels? The answer is obvious. But the best way to raise glutathione levels isn’t.
Contact me today to learn what it is!
Citations
- Lutchmansingh, F. K., Hsu, J. W., Bennett, F. I., Badaloo, A. V., McFarlane-Anderson, N., Gordon-Strachan, G. M., Wright-Pascoe, R. A., Jahoor, F., & Boyne, M. S. (2018). Glutathione metabolism in type 2 diabetes and its relationship with microvascular complications and glycemia. PloS one, 13 (6), e0198626. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198626
- Teskey, G., Abrahem, R., Cao, R., Gyurjian, K., Islamoglu, H., Lucero, M., Martinez, A., Paredes, E., Salaiz, O., Robinson, B., & Venketaraman, V. (2018). Glutathione as a Marker for Human Disease. Advances in clinical chemistry, 87, 141–159. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.acc.2018.07.004
- Darmaun, D., Smith, S. D., Sweeten, S., Sager, B. K., Welch, S., & Mauras, N. (2005). Evidence for accelerated rates of glutathione utilization and glutathione depletion in adolescents with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes. Diabetes, 5(1), 190–196. https://doi.org/10.2337/diabetes.54.1.190
- Ciuchi, E et al. “The effect of acute glutathione treatment on sorbitol level in erythrocytes from diabetic patients.” Diabetes & metabolism vol. 23,1 (1997): 58-60. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9059767/