Diabetes and Inflammation: What You Should Know

Inflammation is a healthy response to infection or injury. That’s right Our immune system activates Respond to injuries or internal crimes such as viruses, bacteria, or toxic chemicals. This response is invoked Acute inflammation And it begins the healing process.

But sometimes, when we are not sick or injured, our body sends inflammatory cells. These same inflammatory cells can turn on our bodies and attack healthy tissues. This type of abnormal immune response is involved in disease processes in several conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, and yes, diabetes.

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you may be dealing with some degree of chronic inflammation that can lead to health complications beyond the diabetes itself. This article will help you understand how inflammation is related to diabetes and how it is treated.

Type 1 diabetes and inflammation

Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune attack on the pancreas, destroying its ability to secrete insulin. Cells in the immune system cause beta cell death in a variety of ways. Causing inflammation. Some researchers have Called Type 1 diabetes, “chronic anti-autoinflammatory response,” and the theory is Pancreatic inflammation can help cause type 1 diabetes in the first place.

As type 1 diabetes develops, it can cause inflammation elsewhere in the body, perhaps as a result of the way the immune system responds to excessive glucose levels. According to researchers at Georgia Medical University at Augusta Universitythe immune system responds by sending inflammatory cells. Inflammatory cells can contribute to the destruction of organs, nerves and blood vessels over time.

a 2017 study by Italian researchersfor example, suggested that people with type 1 diabetes develop inflammation in the digestive tract.

“Our findings show that people with type 1 diabetes have inflammatory signatures and microbiota. It’s not what we see in people with diabetics and people with other autoimmune conditions like celiac disease.”

How to Treat Type 1 Diabetes Inflammation

Researchers are working on experimental type 1 diabetes therapy specifically Target inflammation. For the same reason, anti-inflammatory drugs are ultimately possible Plays an important role In the development of treatments for conditions. However, at this time there are a variety of medications available for chronic inflammation, but these drugs are not generally prescribed for type 1 diabetes. some steroid When used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, it can be inappropriate for diabetes as it can be effective in producing severe glucose.

For now, the best way to deal with inflammation appears to be through careful diabetes management. I have insulin Strong anti-inflammatory effects in type 1 diabetes. A 2013 study at the University of Buffalo Jacobs University of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences found that even small amounts of glucose cause profound inflammation, but insulin suppresses the proinflammatory protein HMGB1. Insulin doesn’t solve the problem – The anti-inflammatory effects of insulin take three times longer in people with type 1 diabetes, but this study helps to strengthen the importance of taking the right amount of insulin in your diet. Keeping your blood sugar levels within range can also help limit chronic inflammation.

Chronic inflammation can also be improved through better lifestyle decisions, such as healthy diet and exercise. Harvard Medical School.

Type 2 diabetes and inflammation

Type 2 diabetes also has a complex, bidirectional relationship with inflammation. Type 2 diabetes Insulin resistancewhich can lead to chronic inflammation, which causes more insulin resistance. It’s a vicious cycle.

There are chronic and systemic inflammation Notable features of type 2 diabetes. This condition creates excess cytokines, signaling proteins, which help to control inflammation that can cause excessive inflammation. Obesity also causes inflammation, Stimulates the release of inflammatory mediatorsincluding reduced production of interleukin-6, cytokines, and adiponectin, a hormone that helps address insulin sensitization and anti-inflammatory effects. Reducing the level of Adiponectin It can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes.

Chronic inflammation contributes to complications of diabetes Diabetic Peripheral NeuropathyNerve injuries that tend to begin in the feet and hands. Other potential issues include heart failure, Diabetic retinopathyand Musculoskeletal problems Like pain and stiffness in muscles and joints.

How to Treat Type 2 Diabetes Inflammation

Some diabetic drugs have anti-inflammatory properties such as statins, anti-diabetic agents like insulin, and metformin. GLP1 receptor agonists (including Ozempic) and SGLT2 inhibitors (probably the two most important new classes of type 2 diabetes medications) have intrinsic anti-inflammatory properties. According to a 2019 Greek surveyalthough it is unclear how much they contribute to the reduction of actual inflammation.

Using diabetes medication responsibly can be one of the best ways to stop chronic inflammation from getting out of hand, to help your doctor achieve excellent glucose control.

In the future, more targeted therapies may be available. Some researchers say,Inflammation theory“Type 2 diabetes,” and believes that direct attacks on inflammation can improve glucose control. However, more experiments need to be performed before such treatments become available.

Another ideal way to deal with chronic inflammation is to determine a healthy lifestyle. There are some powerful movements Anti-inflammatory effect. It also highlights a healthy diabetic diet, whole foods, and avoids processed sugar and starch. Improves inflammation. Some experts have designed special anti-inflammatory diets that contain foods that contain antioxidants such as fatty fish, fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices.

Good management of type 2 diabetes can be the best way to combat the negative health effects of chronic inflammation with good diet and exercise habits and careful use of drugs.