The chain reaction of metabolic disorders: the "silent destruction" of high blood sugar and the erosion of blood vessels by high blood lipids.

Two Highs: Metabolic Disorders Caused by Hyperglycemia

What is metabolism? We say that metabolism is a fundamental characteristic of life. The metabolism of all living organisms includes both anabolism and catabolism. Through the closely linked activities of these two processes, the body constantly renews itself. The metabolic process in the human body involves energy release, energy transfer, and utilization—energy metabolism. Sugar is one of the body's main energy sources, accounting for about 70% of the required energy. Imagine if 70% of the energy supply "malfunctioned"—unable to synthesize and break down glycogen normally, nor could it be released, transferred, and utilized normally—how could a person withstand it? This "malfunction" is the most common glucose metabolism disorder, and the most common of these disorders is "hyperglycemia."

We say that everything has two sides, and blood sugar is no exception. Both excessively low and high blood sugar can cause adverse reactions, especially hyperglycemia. When blood sugar exceeds the normal threshold—fasting plasma glucose > 6.1 mmol/L (110 mg/dL)—it is considered hyperglycemia (using the glucose oxidase method). Over time, this will lead to diabetes. At this stage, hyperglycemia can cause many diseases in the body. For example, skin infections, retinopathy, arteriosclerosis, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, etc. At this point, you might be thinking – high blood sugar is a serious problem that cannot be ignored! Your thinking is very correct, because in the early stages of high blood sugar, there are no obvious symptoms and it doesn't significantly affect normal life and work. It's truly worrying, because about 60% of people are unaware that their blood sugar is abnormal, let alone that they have diabetes. They only seek medical attention when they experience sudden heart failure, kidney failure, or blindness, often missing the best opportunity for treatment. Please see the following alarming statistics: A World Health Organization (WHO) survey found that diabetes leads to 20 times more lower limb ulcers and amputations than the general population; 2-3 times more cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases; 17 times more kidney failure; and 10-20 times more blindness. In fact, diabetes is caused by endocrine disorders. The pancreas cannot secrete insulin normally and cannot participate in glucose metabolism, or although it can secrete insulin, it cannot effectively transport glucose to the necessary cells and tissues. Both of these causes result in the appearance of high blood sugar. From a sub-health perspective, avoiding high blood sugar requires special attention to the intermediate state of diabetes—impaired glucose tolerance. Impaired glucose tolerance is not diabetes, but it's not a healthy state either; it's a "weak state," or sub-health. The causes can be varied, but if not managed properly, 20% of cases can develop into non-insulin-dependent (type II) diabetes. If managed properly, it can lead to a return to health! Tip: You might be surprised by what you read! Check your blood sugar and get a glucose tolerance test immediately! Don't let sub-health turn into a real illness! The "Three Highs": High blood lipids are the main cause of arteriosclerosis and a major symptom of diabetes and hereditary lipid metabolism disorders.

① Blood lipid concentration. When the concentration of blood lipids exceeds the normal upper limit, it is called hyperlipidemia. The normal upper limits are (according to data from Peking University People's Hospital): Cholesterol 6.5 mmol/L; Triglycerides 1.7 mmol/L; Low-density lipoprotein 3.5 mmol/L; High-density lipoprotein 2.2 mmol/L.

② How high blood lipids "damage" arteries. This "damage" occurs imperceptibly. First, the vascular endothelium (similar to the lining of clothing) is damaged. The damaged endothelium is no longer "smooth," and this rough endothelium easily traps substances (monocytes). These trapped substances (monocytes) try to penetrate the spaces beneath the endothelium, causing the endothelium to "lift" and detach. Just like a scab or peeling skin exposing the underlying tissue, when blood flows through this damaged tissue, the formed elements in the blood (platelets) adhere and aggregate to form a small clot (thrombus). At this point, fatty streaks and fatty plaques appear in the blood vessels.

③ Fatty streaks and fatty plaques are early signs of arteriosclerosis. After fatty streaks and fatty plaques appear, the vascular lesions continue to develop, forming fibrous plaques. What are fibrous plaques? Fibrous plaques are "oil lumps" formed by a large amount of cholesterol and smooth muscle cells protruding from the inner lining of blood vessels. These "oil lumps" continue to "damage," causing the vascular lesions to continue to develop, forming atherosclerotic plaques. When atherosclerotic plaques appear, the arterial disease is already very serious. It can be so severe that the arterial endothelium atrophies, passively dilates, and aneurysms rupture, leading to organ bleeding and infarction. The most common consequences are cerebral hemorrhage and myocardial or renal infarction. Note: High blood lipids are a clinical manifestation of lipid metabolism disorder, directly related to excessive fat intake and reduced physical activity. In the early stages of elevated blood lipids, there are often no obvious abnormalities, and they are frequently overlooked. However, elevated blood lipids do not miss any opportunity to cause damage. You must pay attention to your blood lipids and never let them rise!