Type 2 Diabetes - Diabetic Neuropathy and High Triglyceride Levels!

Over time people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes can develop diabetic neuropathy throughout their entire body. Problems can occur in every organ including the digestive tract, heart and sex organs. But, not all diabetics are aware they have nerve damage, some may show no symptoms whatsoever. Others may have symptoms such as:

pain
tingling
numbness or
weakness
in their hands or feet. It pays to take these signs seriously ... although this condition can get better, if you are not careful it can get worse.

Unfortunately, health care providers are unable to tell which of their diabetic patients are going to develop these neuropathies. This is interesting though ... a recent scientific study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, revealed that diabetic neuropathy occurs more in those with high triglyceride levels than in diabetics with normal triglyceride levels.

Additionally, diabetics with neuropathy and high triglyceride levels found nerve damage developed rapidly, usually within a year. Diabetics with normal triglyceride levels did not develop nerve damage during this time. Further, this research revealed:

other blood cholesterol levels were of no consequence to nerve damage
high triglyceride levels are definitely an important predictor of the development of diabetic neuropathy
nerve fiber damage and loss is not associated with how long you have had type 2 diabetes, your blood sugar control or other variables
This study involved 427 people with type 2 diabetes and nerve damage.

What are triglycerides? They are molecules of fat transported in your blood for various purposes and having a certain amount in your blood is normal. However, high triglyceride levels increase the risk of:

heart problems
disease of the pancreas
A normal fasting reading is less than 150 mg/dl. If you have a value higher that 150 mg/dl especially if it reaches above 200 mg/dl, you are at risk for coronary artery disease and the complications of neuropathy.

Research shows:

if your diet is high in refined carbohydrates this will cause a temporary rise in triglycerides
high fiber and low-GI foods seem to have the opposite effect
exercise such as walking will lower triglyceride levels by an average of 10mg/dl. More strenuous exercise will have a greater effect
alcohol raises triglyceride levels so avoiding alcohol will lower them
Diabetic neuropathy or neuropathies, are nerve disorders caused by many abnormalities common to type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Treatment first involves bringing your blood sugar levels under control and to within the normal range and this will help to prevent or delay the onset of further health issues.

Following a healthy eating plan combined with exercise can be surprising powerful. A healthy lifestyle does much more than keep your blood sugar levels stable ... it helps protect your whole body.

If you would like to download a free copy of my E-Book, click here now: Answers to Your Questions

Beverleigh Piepers is a registered nurse who would like to help you understand how to live easily and happily with your type 2 diabetes.

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Triglyceride Levels Predict Diabetic Neuropathy Progression

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is an abnormality of the nervous system in diabetics which results in a loss of sensation in the feet and the legs. The exact cause of peripheral neuropathy in diabetics is not clearly understood, but many theories exist. One popular theory is based on the loss of small vessel blood flow to the nerves, which impairs the nerves and results in nerve dysfunction. A new study, published online in the journal Diabetes, found that elevated triglycerides were associated with the progression of diabetic neuropathy (1). Researchers at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University evaluated 427 diabetic patients with neuropathy. The sural nerve, which travels on the outside of the leg down to the foot, was used to measure fiber density, the nerve signal speed and vibration threshold. After one year, those individuals with high triglycerides at baseline had significant progression of their neuropathy in comparison to those with normal triglyceride levels at baseline. The duration of diabetes, active treatment of diabetes or body mass index were not associated with neuropathy progression. The authors concluded that triglyceride levels are an active predictor of neuropathy progression in diabetics.

The authors stated that the study findings reinforced the link between cardiovascular disease and peripheral neuropathy. Triglycerides are a type of fat the body uses to store energy. When food consumed exceeds calories exerted, the body stores the excess calories in fat cells as triglycerides. Triglycerides are part of the blood lipid panel used to evaluate cardiovascular disease risk. Elevated triglycerides are a well-known cardiovascular disease risk factor.

The idea that lipids are associated with small blood vessel disease (microangiopathy) is not new. Previous studies have found associations between high levels of triglycerides in the blood and microangiopathy in diabetics (2). The lack of blood flow to the nerves, as a result of microangiopathy, causes changes within the nerves (demyelination and axonal degeneration) and results in nerve dysfunction. Microangiopathy causes the blood vessel lining to thicken which results in a narrowing of the vessel lumen, reducing blood flow (3). Without adequate blood flow, the nerves undergo changes, which ultimately result in nerve dysfunction. This recent research reinforces the link between small blood vessel disease and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

1. Wiggin TD et al. Elevated Triglycerides Correlate with Progression of Diabetic Neuropathy. Diabetes published online, May 1, 2009, as db08-1771.

2. Eckel RH et al. Plasma lipids and microangiopathy in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care. 1981 Jul-Aug;4(4):447-53.

3. Powell HC. Microangiopathy in human diabetic neuropathy. Acta Neuropathologica. Volume 68, Number 4 / December, 1985.

Christine Dobrowolski, DPM is a podiatrist and owner of Northcoast footcare, Inc an online resource for foot health information and foot care products. More information on diabetic neuropathy.

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