Do you know there is a vitamin that plays the role of a powerful antioxidant, preventing free radical, cell damage when diabetic kidney disease is present?
That healing substance is called vitamin E. A fat-soluble vitamin that’s required for the proper function of many organs including our precious kidneys.
Diabetes is generally categorized as type 1 and type 2. Type 1 is an insulin deficiency caused by an autoimmune reaction destroying the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Type 2 occurs as a result of the beta cells becoming weak and unable to compensate for insulin secretion leading to the body becoming insulin insufficient.
When diabetic kidney disease is present, there are also a large amount of free radicals present. Free radicals are molecules that damage other cells. They are created from the food we consume, breathing polluted air, prescription medications and the water we drink. The biggest source of free radicals in diabetic kidney disease is high blood sugar. Consistently elevated blood sugar can cause a large accumulation of free radicals that destroy the kidneys.
Antioxidants, also known as “free radical scavengers,” are substances that reduce the creation of free radicals or neutralize them.
Vitamin E – The Potent Antioxidant For Diabetic Kidney Disease
Certain forms of vitamin E have strong antioxidant abilities that have the ability to lower free radical damage, and reduce inflammation within the kidneys. Research has shown that these can significantly reduce protein excretion in diabetic kidney disease, therefore helping prevent the loss of kidney function. Vitamin E may also help elevated blood pressure when kidney disease is present.
Vitamin E has additional benefits including, balancing cholesterol, which is often an issue in diabetic kidney disease, repairing damaged skin, balancing hormones, protecting your vision, and lowering cancer risk. Often the issues listed are complications present in diabetic kidney disease where vitamin E can provide tremendous benefits.
Different Forms of Vitamin E & What It Means For Kidney Disease
Vitamin E actually refers to eight distinct major isomers. Many of the benefits associated with vitamin E stem from studies which have researched only one of the eight forms of vitamin E, known as alpha-tocopherol. In recent years, more research has been conducted on the other forms of vitamin E, specifically tocotrienols, sometimes referred to as “the 21st century vitamin E.” Alpha- and beta-tocotrienols have been observed as being among the least active forms overall, while delta- and gamma-tocotrienols are the most active. Recent research suggests alpha-tocopherol may interfere with absorption of other forms of vitamin E, such as other tocopherols and tocotrienols necessary for cognitive and cardiovascular health.
How Much And What Types of Vitamin E Should You Take For Diabetic Kidney Disease
A research study was conducted to evaluate the effects of high-dose vitamin E supplementation on markers of inflammation, urinary protein and oxidative stress in people with diabetic nephropathy.
At the end of 3 months of vitamin E supplementation of 1200IU per day had very positive results. The test subjects had a decrease in urinary protein, inflammation and oxidative stress.
If you are going to try this make sure to ask your medical doctor first. You will want to use 1200IU of vitamin E per day from mixed sources of E. You only do this for 3 months and discontinue.
Many high quality brands sells these such as Carlson labs, Pure Encapsulations, Now Foods, Douglas labs, etc.
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Citation
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27578124
