Diabetes and osteoporosis are two chronic conditions that impact millions globally, but many don’t realise just how interconnected they are.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Without insulin, the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels. Glucose builds up in the blood, causing hyperglycaemia, more commonly known as high blood sugar.
Type 2 diabetes is mainly the result of two problems; One, the cells in the muscle, fat and liver develop resistance to insulin, and second, the pancreas can’t make enough insulin to keep blood sugar levels within a healthy range.
Diabetes and osteoporosis are two chronic conditions that impact millions globally, but many don’t realise just how interconnected they are.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Without insulin, the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels. Glucose builds up in the blood, causing hyperglycaemia, more commonly known as high blood sugar.
Type 2 diabetes is mainly the result of two problems; One, the cells in the muscle, fat and liver develop resistance to insulin, and second, the pancreas can’t make enough insulin to keep blood sugar levels within a healthy range.
In type 1 diabetes, the body’s inability to produce insulin can cause bone density to decline. Insulin plays a crucial role in bone formation, by stimulating bone building cells called osteoblasts. Without it, bones are unable to develop and regenerate properly, increasing fracture risk.
Poor blood sugar control also increases the number of cells that break down bone, called osteoclasts, increasing bone resorption and bone loss further1.
Although type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, it is most often diagnosed in children. Because of this, people with Type 1 diabetes often experience bone loss at a younger age, increasing their fracture risk over time2.
In type 1 diabetes, the body’s inability to produce insulin can cause bone density to decline. Insulin plays a crucial role in bone formation, by stimulating bone building cells called osteoblasts. Without it, bones are unable to develop and regenerate properly, increasing fracture risk.
Poor blood sugar control also increases the number of cells that break down bone, called osteoclasts, increasing bone resorption and bone loss further1.
Although type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, it is most often diagnosed in children. Because of this, people with Type 1 diabetes often experience bone loss at a younger age, increasing their fracture risk over time2.
Type 2 diabetes, although different in its mechanisms than type 1, also poses a risk for osteoporosis.
Type 2 diabetes is often associated with higher body weight3, which means individuals often have normal or even high bone density, but the bone quality tends to be poor4. High blood sugar levels and insulin resistance can damage osteoblasts and osteoclasts to disrupt bone turnover, weakening bones.
Type 2 diabetes, although different in its mechanisms than type 1, also poses a risk for osteoporosis.
Type 2 diabetes is often associated with higher body weight3, which means individuals often have normal or even high bone density, but the bone quality tends to be poor4. High blood sugar levels and insulin resistance can damage osteoblasts and osteoclasts to disrupt bone turnover, weakening bones.
Certain medications used to manage diabetes, such as thiazolidinediones (TZDs), have been shown to negatively impact bone density.
TZDs cause mesenchymal stem cells in our bone marrow to differentiate into fat cells instead of osteoblasts, which leads to decreased bone formation and increased fat production5.
TZDs also inhibit oestrogen production, which is associated with reduced bone density and increased bone resorption6. One study found that each year of TZD use was associated with whole body bone density loss of -0.67% per year7.
Certain medications used to manage diabetes, such as thiazolidinediones (TZDs), have been shown to negatively impact bone density.
TZDs cause mesenchymal stem cells in our bone marrow to differentiate into fat cells instead of osteoblasts, which leads to decreased bone formation and increased fat production5.
TZDs also inhibit oestrogen production, which is associated with reduced bone density and increased bone resorption6. One study found that each year of TZD use was associated with whole body bone density loss of -0.67% per year7.
Long-term complications of diabetes, such as those listed below, can have an additional negative impact on bone health.
Chronic kidney disease – The kidneys are responsible for activating vitamin D, allowing your body to maintain healthy blood levels of calcium and phosphorus, two minerals essential for maintaining bone structure and strength. Because of this, people with chronic kidney disease typically have impaired bone quality and quantity, increasing their risk of fracture8.
Neuropathy (nerve damage) – Diabetic neuropathy can damage sensory and motor nerves of the body, which can reduce physical activity and increase increased fall risk and resulting fractures9.
Vision loss – High blood sugar or blood sugar that spikes and falls can lead to problems like blurry vision, cataracts, glaucoma, and retinopathy – the leading cause of blindness in ‘working-age’ adults10. Poor eyesight can increase fall and fracture risk in individuals with osteoporosis.
Long-term complications of diabetes, such as those listed below, can have an additional negative impact on bone health.
Chronic kidney disease – The kidneys are responsible for activating vitamin D, allowing your body to maintain healthy blood levels of calcium and phosphorus, two minerals essential for maintaining bone structure and strength. Because of this, people with chronic kidney disease typically have impaired bone quality and quantity, increasing their risk of fracture8.
Neuropathy (nerve damage) – Diabetic neuropathy can damage sensory and motor nerves of the body, which can reduce physical activity and increase increased fall risk and resulting fractures9.
Vision loss – High blood sugar or blood sugar that spikes and falls can lead to problems like blurry vision, cataracts, glaucoma, and retinopathy – the leading cause of blindness in ‘working-age’ adults10. Poor eyesight can increase fall and fracture risk in individuals with osteoporosis.
For individuals managing diabetes, taking active steps to look after your bones can help prevent the development of osteoporosis.
The Marodyne LiV (Low-intensity Vibration) device offers several benefits for people with diabetes who may be at risk of developing osteoporosis:
If you have diabetes and want to learn more about how the Marodyne LiV could benefit you, click the button below.
For individuals managing diabetes, taking active steps to look after your bones can help prevent the development of osteoporosis.
The Marodyne LiV (Low-intensity Vibration) device offers several benefits for people with diabetes who may be at risk of developing osteoporosis:
If you have diabetes and want to learn more about how the Marodyne LiV could benefit you, click the button below.
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