The latest research shows that traditional target blood sugar levels recommended for people with diabetes may be too high. These higher BG levels can, over time, lead to serious complications such as neuropathy, retinopathy and elevated risks of heart disease.
Author and researcher Jenny Ruhl, creator of the site Blood Sugar 101: What They Don't Tell You About Diabetes, has made public some scientific results which warn against possible dangers of even slightly elevated blood sugar levels that many traditional medical authorities recommend as target values for their patients.
ADA-Recommended Levels of Fasting and Postprandial Blood Sugars Are not Safe, Scientists Say
American Diabetes Association defines target preprandial, or fasting, blood sugar levels for people with diabetes as ranging between 80 and 130 mg/dl (5.0 to 7.2 mmol/l) and postprandial BG, taken one to two hours after a meal, under 180 mg/dl (10 mmol/l).
Recent research shows, however, that these target figures may be dangerously high for many diabetes sufferers. A team of researchers led by Italian scientist A. Gastaldelli states that the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells may start at just above 100 mg/dl (5.6 mmol/l).
Neuropathy Can be Detected at Fasting Blood Glucose of 100 mg/dl (5.6 mmol/l)
Charlene Hoffman-Snyder together with her colleagues at Mayo Clinic have studied the effects of impaired glucose tolerance, or IGT – a potentially pre-diabetic condition when fasting blood sugars stay in the range between 100 and 126 mg/dl – linking it to neuropathy, a common diabetes complication which may result in the loss of sensitivity in one's feet and legs and ultimately, lead to amputation.
The Mayo Clinic researchers explain, "Conventional thinking among diabetologists is that diabetic polyneuropathies are the result of prolonged hyperglycemia. Like previous studies, this investigation supports the hypothesis that distal axonalpolyneuropathies may occur in much earlier stages of abnormal glucose metabolism than previously thought. Recent studies suggest that the neuropathy associated with IGT may be milder than neuropathies traditionally associated with DM and may be the earliest detectable sign of abnormal glucose metabolism."
Glucose Tolerance Test Helps Diagnose Blood Sugar Problems Early
The author must point out that these results were achieved with the help of glucose tolerance tests – a special procedure when blood sugar levels are measured at specific periods of time after giving the patient a certain amount of pure glucose to consume.
Regular blood tests, including fasting blood sugar tests, do not always reveal the danger, the Mayo Clinic researchers say, which may explain the fact that it remained underrated for so long.
To Avoid Retinopathy, Aim for Lower Fasting Blood Sugars
Another group of researchers, led by Professor Tien Y Wong, studied the connection between fasting glucose levels and retinopathy, one of the most dangerous diabetes complications which can lead to complete loss of eyesight. The scientists concluded that "more than 60% of retinopathy cases were among patients with fasting plasma glucose levels below 7.0 mmol/l (126 mg/dl).
"The current FPG cutoff of 7·0 mmol/l used to diagnose diabetes did not accurately identify people with and without retinopathy. These findings suggest that the criteria for diagnosing diabetes could need reassessment," the researchers admitted.
Blood Sugar Levels Can be Maintained Within a Safe Range in Diabetic Patients
Keeping one's blood glucose levels within a healthy range is possible and doable. Dr. Richard K. Bernstein in his Diabetes Solution: The Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars aims for the glucose meter reading of 83 mg/dl (4.6 mmol/l) at all times, both fasting and postprandial.
Experienced physician and lifelong type 1 sufferer, Dr. Bernstein reversed the course of his own diabetes complications, which prior to that had included advanced kidney disease, cataracts, cardiomyopathy, and advanced neuropathy threatening the then-35-year-old doctor with amputation of both legs. In his book, he says, "[Patients] with normal blood sugars do not develop the long-term complications of diabetes."
Dr. Bernstein recommends, in addition to a patient's medication and/or insulin plan, the combination of low carb diet (about 30 grams of carbohydrate a day with plenty of non-starchy vegetables, protein and healthy fats), strict blood sugar control aiming to keep blood glucose levels between 83 and 90 mg/dl (accordingly 4.6 and 5 mmol/l) at all times, and anaerobic exercise such as weight lifting in order to enhance insulin sensitivity.
Dr. Bernstein goes on saying, "With the ability to control our blood sugars comes the ability to prevent the consequences of high blood sugars."
Sources:
- Jenny Ruhl. Research Connecting Organ Damage with Blood Sugar Level. Blood Sugar 101 (last accessed Apr 3, 201)
- Charlene Hoffman-Snyder, MSN, NP-BC; Benn E. Smith, MD; Mark A. Ross, MD; Jose Hernandez, BA; E. Peter Bosch, MD.Value of the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test in the Evaluation of Chronic Idiopathic Axonal Polyneuropathy. Archives of Neurology, Vol. 63, No 8 Aug 2006 (last accessed Apr 3, 2011)
- Richard K. Bernstein, MD. Diabetes Solution: The Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars. Little, Brown & Company 2007
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Irene Woodhead - Irene Woodhead is a bilingual English/Russian freelance writer and translator. After years of working as a professional opera/jazz singer, ...
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