A new research conducted by Norwegian scientists discovered that slightly elevated levels of blood sugar cause abnormal blood filtration and high levels of the protein albumin in the urine, both of which are linked to kidney damage.
The study involved more than 1,300 patients admitted in the University Hospital of North Norway as participants, all of whom are aged between 50 and 62 years old. The researchers followed these patients for more than a decade and at the start of the study, as many as 595 of these patients had slightly elevated blood glucose or prediabetes.
After several adjustments of medication and lifestyle factors, the researchers concluded that the patients who suffered from prediabetes showed early symptoms of kidney damage. The most common indicator among them was the increased amount of albumin in their urine.
According to facts uncovered by the recent study, kidney disorders develop when the human body starts to respond to metabolic changes taking place early on because of high levels of blood glucose.
The authors of the study also said that as much as 35 percent of adults can develop prediabetes. This is in line with the previous predictions of various scientists that in the next 15 years, the number of patients with prediabetes will rise to more than 470 million.
Additionally, the researchers explained that around 50 percent of people suffering from prediabetes will develop diabetes within ten years of having prediabetes.
Dr. Toralf Melson, one of the authors of the study, recommend individuals with prediabetes to take early action like making dietary changes, having regular exercise and changing their lifestyle to prevent chronic kidney disorder.
Globally, one in nine adults have diabetes which is often linked to obesity and aging. Diabetes has also long been known as the number one cause of kidney disorders and eventual kidney failure.