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As a Doctor, I have learned that diabetes is not about blood sugar. Over years steady high glucose can alter the way small blood vessels, nerves and organs work, in Diabetic individuals.
I have seen how diabetes complications are hard to spot because early damage may show no signs. Your kidneys might become less efficient at filtering before you feel anything. Tiny changes in the retina can begin before your vision gets blurry. Nerve damage might start as a tingling or burning feeling that you might ignore.
So how does diabetes actually affect the body organs?
How Does Diabetes Affect the Body?
The body is always in contact with glucose that flows through the blood. When blood glucose stays high for a long period of time it can slowly change the blood vessels and spark oxidative stress and inflammation.(1)
This is important because organs, like the kidneys, eyes and nerves rely heavily on blood vessels to deliver oxygen and nutrients. Without small blood vessels these organs can start to fail.
Diabetes complications are usually split into two types:
Microvascular complications: These affect the small blood vessels, especially in the kidneys, eyes and nerves.(2)
Macrovascular complications: These involve the blood vessels and raise the risk of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular problems.(3)
That’s why the way diabetes affects each person can be very different. One person might have vision problems, another might struggle with kidney function. Another might face heart issues. All because of how diabetes impacts blood vessels in different ways.
Diabetes and Kidney Damage: Why Can It Go Unnoticed?
Your kidneys filter waste from the blood through millions of structures called nephrons. We all know how important this process is.
High blood glucose can put extra stress on these filtering units. Over time the kidneys filtration barrier may become damaged letting proteins like albumin leak into the urine.(4) This strains the normal functioning of your kidneys.
The interesting part is that early kidney damage may not cause symptoms. I find it surprising how quiet the early stages can be.
That is why a urine albumin test and kidney function tests can sometimes detect a problem before swelling, fatigue or other obvious symptoms appear. It is reassuring to know that we have a tool to catch issues early.
As kidney damage progresses the kidneys may become less efficient at removing waste and balancing fluids and electrolytes.
For anyone living with diabetes monitoring blood pressure, blood glucose and kidney markers is not routine testing. It is part of protecting kidney function.
Diabetes and Eye Problems: It Starts in the Retina
The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. It has a lot of blood vessels packed tightly together. Because of this the retina is very sensitive to damage over time from diabetes.
When blood glucose levels stay high for a time it can hurt these tiny blood vessels. This damage leads to a condition called retinopathy. (5)
In the beginning diabetic retinopathy might not show any signs. A person might still see fine. As the disease moves forward the damaged blood vessels can start to leak fluid or blood. In stages new blood vessels may grow in places they shouldn't.
This creates an important distinction:
Seeing clearly does not necessarily mean the retina is healthy.
That’s why for everyone with diabetes regular dilated eye examination is important . Even if their vision feels perfect, checking the retina can catch problems early. Early detection can help prevent vision loss.
Diabetes and Heart Health: It's More Than Blood Sugar
Diabetes and heart health are closely linked because diabetes can change the blood vessels that run through the whole body.
When blood glucose stays high for a long period of time it changes the lining of the blood vessels. This high glucose can happen together with blood pressure, strange cholesterol levels and other heart risk factors.
All these changes together raise the chance of conditions like artery disease, heart attack and stroke.
Another reason that diabetes needs heart care is that some people with diabetes may feel fewer usual symptoms during a heart problem because nerve damage changes how pain is felt.
This does not mean chest symptoms should be ignored, nor does it mean that every person with diabetes will have a heart attack.
It means heart risk should be watched closely and early not just after symptoms appear.
Diabetes and Nerve Damage: Why Do Feet Tingle or Burn?
Nerves need a blood supply in order to work well.
High blood sugar over a time can hurt nerves, especially the nerves in the feet and legs. This problem is often called peripheral neuropathy.
It can cause:
- Tingling or "pins and needles"
- Burning or shooting pain
- Numbness
- Increased sensitivity to touch
- Reduced ability to feel heat, cold or minor injuries
Many of us don't realise that numbness can be more dangerous than pain.
A small blister, cut or pressure injury may be missed when sensation is low. Checking the feet every day is therefore very important for people with diabetes especially if they have neuropathy.
Why Are Infections More Common in People With Diabetes?
Anyone with diabetes is more vulnerable to infections, particularly when blood glucose remains high for long periods. Elevated blood sugar level for a long period can affect the functioning of immune cells, making it harder for the body to respond effectively to infecting bacteria and other microorganisms. Diabetes can also affect blood circulation and nerve sensation, which means a small cut, blister or wound may go unnoticed and receive less oxygen and nutrients that are needed for healing. Together, these factors lead to infection spread, in some cases, progressing more quickly than it might in someone without diabetes. This is why even a minor wound deserves immediate attention and treatment in a person with diabetes.
Why Do Diabetes Complications Develop Differently in Different People?
Two people can have diabetes for the same number of years and develop very different complications.
How long someone has diabetes does matter. Other factors play a big role too. Things like blood glucose control, blood pressure levels, cholesterol, smoking habits, how active a person is, their genes and any other health problems they might already have all make a difference.
That’s why there isn’t a timeline that applies to everyone when it comes to diabetes complications.
Instead of waiting for symptoms to show up, the focus in managing diabetes is to be on catching risks early. This means check-ups and monitoring key areas like:
- Blood glucose
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Kidney function
- Eye health
- Nerve and foot health
These checks help spot problems before they get worse giving us more time to take action to lead a quality life.
Can Nutrition Support Diabetes Management?
Nutrition cannot replace diabetes medication or treatment but dietary choices can be part of a broader strategy for maintaining healthy glucose levels. I believe that small changes in food can help keep glucose balanced.
This is where ingredients such as Mulberry Extract, Jamun Extract, Fenugreek Extract, Amla Extract, Coriander Leaf Extract, Vitamin D3 and Chromium are often explored in formulations designed for people concerned about glucose metabolism.
For example, scientific research has investigated the individual ingredients for their potential effects on glucose metabolism. Mulberry (Morus alba) has been studied for its ability to influence post-meal glucose responses, particularly through compounds that may inhibit carbohydrate-digesting enzymes. In randomized trials, mulberry fruit extract reduced postprandial blood glucose and insulin responses in healthy adults, suggesting that certain mulberry compounds may help moderate the rise in glucose after a carbohydrate-containing meal.(6)
Jamun (Syzygium cumini) has also been investigated in human and experimental studies for its potential glucose-lowering effects. Clinical trial evaluated jambolan (Syzygium cumini) leaf tea in people with type 2 diabetes and investigated its antihyperglycaemic effect. Tea prepared from leaves of S. cumini has no hypoglycaemic effect.(7)
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) has been studied for its effects on blood glucose and glycaemic control, with its fibre and bioactive compounds being among the proposed mechanisms. Adjunct use of fenugreek seeds improves glycemic control and decreases insulin resistance in mild type-2 diabetic patients. There is also a favourable effect on hypertriglyceridemia.(8)d
Amla (Phyllanthus emblica) has also been examined in clinical research for its potential effects on blood glucose and lipid parameters. Amla reduced biomarkers of oxidative stress and systemic inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, without any significant changes in laboratory safety parameters. (9)
Chromium, meanwhile, is an essential trace mineral involved in insulin signalling and glucose metabolism, although the evidence for supplementation varies depending on the population and chromium formulation used. Studies proved the use of chromium supplementation for the improvement of glycemic control indices in T2DM patients.(10)
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) has also been investigated for its potential antihyperglycaemic activity. Experimental research has found the presence of antihyperglycaemic, insulin-releasing and insulin-like activity in Coriandrum sativum, suggesting a possible role in carbohydrate digestion and post-meal glucose regulation.(11)
Health etc Diabetes Gummies combine these ingredients in a convenient nutritional format for adults looking to incorporate diabetes-focused nutritional support into their daily routine.
However a supplement should be viewed as nutrition, not a treatment for diabetes or its complications. I always remind my friends that supplements are a helper, not a cure.
If you want to understand what to look for in a diabetes-focused gummy, read our guide on how to choose the right diabetic gummies.
How Can You Reduce the Risk of Diabetes Complications?
The helpful approach is not to wait until an organ starts showing symptoms.
To conclude, keep blood glucose within the target range that your healthcare professional recommends. Stay physically active. Manage blood pressure and cholesterol. Avoid smoking. Make sure to attend the recommended kidney, eye and foot checks. Sleep is another often-overlooked factor in glucose regulation. Read more about how sleep debt and late nights may affect diabetes risk.
Importantly remember that diabetes complications can begin quietly.
Protecting the kidneys, eyes, heart and nerves is not a task, from managing diabetes. It is one of the reasons why long-term glucose management matters.
References:
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Hyperglycemia and Oxidative Stress: An Integral, Updated and Critical Overview of Their Metabolic Interconnections - 2023 May - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10253853/
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Microvascular complications: pathophysiology and management - 2010 Oct - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4952418/
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Macrovascular Complications in Patients with Diabetes and Prediabetes - 2017 Nov - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5697393/
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Pathophysiology of the Diabetic Kidney - 2018 Jul - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6029262/
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Diabetes and Retinal Vascular Dysfunction - 2014 Jul - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4307665/#sec1-2
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Dose-response efficacy of mulberry fruit extract for reducing post-prandial blood glucose and insulin responses: randomised trial evidence in healthy adults - 2023 Mar - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35272722/
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The efficacy of folk medicines in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: results of a randomized controlled trial of Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels - 2006 Feb - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16476114/
-
Effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seeds on glycaemic control and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a double blind placebo controlled study - 2001 Nov - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11868855/
-
Effects of Phyllanthus emblica extract on endothelial dysfunction and biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, double-blind, controlled study - 2013 Jul - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3735284/
-
Effects of chromium supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials - 2020 Nov - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32730903/
-
Insulin-releasing and insulin-like activity of the traditional anti-diabetic plant Coriandrum sativum (coriander) - 1999 Mar - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10434846/
-
Hyperglycemia and Oxidative Stress: An Integral, Updated and Critical Overview of Their Metabolic Interconnections - 2023 May - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10253853/
-
Microvascular complications: pathophysiology and management - 2010 Oct - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4952418/
-
Macrovascular Complications in Patients with Diabetes and Prediabetes - 2017 Nov - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5697393/
-
Pathophysiology of the Diabetic Kidney - 2018 Jul - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6029262/
-
Diabetes and Retinal Vascular Dysfunction - 2014 Jul - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4307665/#sec1-2
-
Dose-response efficacy of mulberry fruit extract for reducing post-prandial blood glucose and insulin responses: randomised trial evidence in healthy adults - 2023 Mar - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35272722/
-
The efficacy of folk medicines in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: results of a randomized controlled trial of Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels - 2006 Feb - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16476114/
-
Effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seeds on glycaemic control and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a double blind placebo controlled study - 2001 Nov - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11868855/
-
Effects of Phyllanthus emblica extract on endothelial dysfunction and biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, double-blind, controlled study - 2013 Jul - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3735284/
-
Effects of chromium supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials - 2020 Nov - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32730903/
-
Insulin-releasing and insulin-like activity of the traditional anti-diabetic plant Coriandrum sativum (coriander) - 1999 Mar - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10434846/
