When our bodies digest the protein we eat, the process creates waste products. In the kidneys, millions of tiny blood vessels (capillaries) with even tinier holes in them act as filters. As blood flows through the blood vessels, small molecules such as waste products squeeze through the holes. These waste products become part of the urine. Useful substances, such as protein and red blood cells, are too big to pass through the holes in the filter and stays in the blood.
Diabetes can damage this system. High levels of blood sugar causes the kidneys to filter too much blood. All this extra work is hard on the filters. After many years, they start to leak and useful protein is lost in the urine.
Having small amounts of protein in the urine is called microalbuminuria.
When kidney disease is diagnosed early, during microalbuminuria, several treatments may keep kidney disease from getting worse.
Having larger amounts of protein in the urine is called macroalbuminuria.
When kidney disease is caught later during macroalbuminuria, end-stage renal disease, or ESRD, usually follows.
In time, the stress of overwork causes the kidneys to lose their filtering ability. Waste products then start to build up in the blood. Finally, the kidneys fail. This failure, ESRD, is very serious. A person with ESRD needs to have a kidney transplant or to have the blood filtered by machine (dialysis).
Not everyone with diabetes develops kidney disease.
Factors that can influence kidney disease development include genetics, blood sugar control, and blood pressure.
The better a person keeps diabetes and blood pressure under control, the lower the chance of getting kidney disease.
How Can I Prevent It?
Diabetic kidney disease can be prevented by keeping blood sugar and blood pressure in the target range.
Important treatments for kidney disease are tight control of blood glucose and blood pressure. Blood pressure has a dramatic effect on the rate at which the disease progresses. Even a mild rise in blood pressure can quickly causes kidney disease to worsen.
Five ways to control blood sugar and blood pressure are…
- losing weight, (Follow the diet in the free Manna Diabetes e-book)
- eating less salt,
- avoiding alcohol and tobacco,
- getting regular exercise
- Supplement with natural dietary products like the Manna Blood Sugar Support for blood sugar control and the Manna Blood Circulation Support to help with blood pressure control.
Warning: If you are on Blood Pressure medication, don’t take the Manna Blood Circulation Support.