Why do some people with type 1 diabetes remain free of diabetic retinopathy and other complications while others suffer from sight loss as well as kidney and cardiovascular problems?
Researchers publishing in Diabetes Care set out to answer this question by studying individuals who have been living with type 1 diabetes for over 50 years. It seems that the sample group of 351 people with longterm diabetes diagnoses was mostly good at maintaining stable blood sugar levels, but blood sugar control did not seem to be the determining factor when it came to eye, kidney, and heart problems.
For the most part, scientists say it is still a mystery why 35% of these older type 1 diabetes patients seem free of the issues commonly associated with their disease. They seem to have some inherent “protective mechanisms” that keep them from developing these conditions. One factor may be the particular advanced glycation end products (AGEs) present in the subjects. Some types of AGEs were linked to diabetes complications while others seems to protect the patients from the aforementioned eye, kidney, and heart troubles. Study authors say that these protective AGEs may lead to new biomarkers that will help indicate whether people are likely to be susceptible to these accompanying conditions.
As researchers strive to determine what protects certain people from diabetic retinopathy and other problems it is still essential that people with diabetes of both types work to control their blood sugar levels. Learn about natural ways to deal with diabetes.
Source: US News
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