The ethnicity of a person with Type 1 diabetes increases their chance of acquiring kidney disease, according to new research. Additionally, the research indicates that those with diabetes and African-Caribbean ancestry have a nearly 60% higher risk of developing advanced kidney disease.

While ethnicity is known to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, it is less clear whether ethnicity increases the risk of type 1 diabetic kidney problems. The majority of the research on kidney disease risk factors was conducted in less diversified or predominantly Caucasian cohorts.


What causes kidney disease?

More than 5,000 type 1 diabetes patients were examined by King's University researchers. In this cohort, 13% of participants were African-Caribbean, and everyone had adequate kidney function. Eight years of follow-up revealed that 260 persons had developed stage 4 renal disease, which is a sign of severe and advanced kidney disease, and had had a decline in kidney function of more than 50%. Stage 5 renal failure occurs when a kidney transplant or dialysis are frequently required for survival.

Nephropathy is terrible to the victims and their families. The effect of ethnicity on the decline of kidney function is discussed for the first time in a type 1 diabetes study. It's found that type 1 diabetics of African and Caribbean descent had a nearly 60% higher risk of losing more than half of their kidney function, and that this loss also happens more quickly. Additional research is required to determine the precise causes of this elevated risk of renal damage in African-Caribbean adults with type 1 diabetes.


What to do to lower Kidney disease risks as an African-Caribbean with diabetes:


Cut back on the salt

More than 89 percent of Americans go beyond the daily salt intake recommendation. Your daily sodium intake should be kept to 2,300 milligrams, or about a teaspoon, according to experts. Consuming excessive amounts of salt can stress your heart and blood vessels, raise blood pressure, and cause water retention, which prevents the body from draining out toxins.


Limit your intake of dairy and fatty meats

Do you frequently consume a lot of fatty red meat and whole milk? Verseput argues that because your kidneys have to work so much harder to eliminate the additional waste produced by the digestion of these animal proteins, you are unfortunately endangering them.

Replace fatty meats and full-fat dairy products with legumes, tofu, and almonds, or fresh/unprocessed fish or poultry, in that order.


Control your blood sugar

Kidney damage can occur in people with diabetes or another condition that raises blood sugar levels. Your kidneys must work harder to filter your blood when the glucose (sugar) in your blood cannot be used by your body's cells. This can cause damage that is life-threatening over many years of effort.

However, you can lessen the chance of harm if you can manage your blood sugar. Additionally, if the damage is detected early, your doctor can take action to lessen or stop further harm.


Observe your blood pressure

Kidney injury from high blood pressure is possible. The effects on your body can be severe if high blood pressure coexists with conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or high cholesterol.

A good blood pressure value is 120/80. Between 139/89 and that, there is prehypertension. At this time, dietary and lifestyle adjustments may help lower your blood pressure.

You may have high blood pressure if your readings are frequently greater than 140/90. Consult your doctor about changing your lifestyle, monitoring your blood pressure frequently, and maybe taking medication.


Eat more antioxidants

Chronic inflammation results in permanent damage, for instance in blood vessels in the heart and kidneys, that causes damage. Antioxidants found in fresh fruit and vegetables can be seen as the firemen putting out the harmful flames’ of inflammation caused by these free radicals.

All fresh fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants.


Lower the heavy lifting 

In recent years, high-intensity interval training has gained popularity as a fresh approach to fitness and weight loss. This pattern has increased the occurrence of rhabdomyolysis, an uncommon but fatal disease. A substance that could lead to renal failure is released into the blood as muscle cells break down.


Related; Understanding the Impact of Ethnicity on Diabetes Prevalence and Treatment