Diabetes is a condition that is usually characterized by an elevated level of sugar (glucose) in blood. One problem is that glucose can interact through the biochemical process (glycation) to tissues in the body, which can damage tissues and lead to complications. Namely glycation is a major cause of the problems associated with diabetes, including nerve damage, loss of eyesight or heart disease. A new study by researchers from the University of Essex in Colchester, United Kingdom shows that there is another potential mechanism that causes complications in diabetes. The results, published in the journal Diabetes showed that patients with diabetes is very characteristic deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine). In patients with diabetes by type of first and second levels of vitamin B1 in the blood is reduced by 3 / 4. Low levels of vitamin B1 can be explained by an increase in its loss through the kidneys. Deficiency causes deterioration of appetite, fatigue, muscle aches, paralysis of the arm or leg, difficulty walking, heart failure. Many of these problems are well known complications of diabetes.
(more…)