Diabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are chronically elevated, leading to poor blood flow in the legs and feet. Poor circulation leads to nerve damage in the extremities, a severe complication affecting up to half of people with diabetes. (1)
Today’s article will dive into poor blood flow, focusing on the lower extremities. We’ll cover:
- What is diabetes?
- The connection between diabetes and poor circulation
- Symptoms, risks, and management strategies for poor blood flow in diabetes
- How to improve circulation with Juvenon BloodFlow-7®
- Frequently Asked Questions about poor circulation in the legs and feet
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels). (2)
Types of diabetes include:
- Type 1 diabetes – an autoimmune disorder destroying the pancreatic cells that produce insulin. Insulin lowers blood sugar, and without it, blood sugar is dangerously high. People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin as a medication. (2)
- Type 2 diabetes – a metabolic disorder with insulin resistance where cells become resistant to insulin signals. This type of diabetes is primarily lifestyle-driven. (2)
Abnormally elevated blood sugar levels affect all body systems. Over time, complications develop. In addition to being a costly public health burden, diabetes can lead to:
- Issues with brain health (cognitive impairment)
- Increased risk for cardiovascular disease, including peripheral artery disease
- Changes in kidney function and kidney disease
- Vision issues and blindness
- Poor blood flow and nerve damage (more on this below)
- Sexual dysfunction
- Early death (3,4,5,6)
Diabetes and Poor Circulation: The Connection
Elevated blood sugar levels create thick, viscous blood. Over time, the high blood sugar impairs blood flow and damages blood vessels, especially the tiny capillaries in the body found in the:
- Eyes
- Heart
- Brain
- Kidneys
- Feet
It’s not a coincidence that these are the areas where diabetes-related symptoms and complications arise as they are the most likely places where damage occurs.
Diabetic neuropathy or peripheral neuropathy is the most common diabetes complication, affecting 50% of people with diabetes. It occurs when the nerves in the toes, feet, and legs are damaged from poor circulation and high blood sugar levels, resulting in decreased nerve sensation. The length of time with diabetes contributes to the risk of nerve damage. A hemoglobin A1C level of over 7% for three years increases risk. (6,7)
Peripheral artery disease is the narrowing of blood vessels due to plaque formation. Diabetes is a risk factor for peripheral artery disease. Both diseases (peripheral artery disease and diabetes) contribute to poor circulation and the associated complications.
Symptoms of Poor Circulation in Legs and Feet
Poor blood flow and nerve damage related to diabetes may cause the following symptoms in the toes, feet, and legs:
- Reduced sensations
- Numbness and tingling
- Cold toes and feet
- Difficulty feeling hot and cold
- Leg cramps, especially when walking
- Difficulty feeling sores or wounds
- Poor healing of sores and wounds
- Skin discoloration and other changes to the skin
- Swelling (8)
Here are some images showing poor circulation in the feet due to diabetes.
Risks of Untreated Poor Circulation
Identifying poor blood flow early can help prevent nerve damage and diabetes complications, including those to the lower extremities. Risks of not addressing poor circulation include:
- Slow and poor wound healing
- Increased risk of wound infection
- Fungal infections
- Diabetic foot ulcers
- Amputation
Diabetic foot ulcers are deep sores on the toes or feet due to cuts that don’t heal or shoe rubbing that isn’t felt. Foot and toe ulcers affect 10% to 15% of people with diabetes. About 5% of people with diabetes eventually lose a toe or foot via amputation. (9,10)
Let’s look at some visuals of what we are discussing. Here are some photos depicting the effects of diabetes on leg circulation.
Preventing and Managing Poor Circulation
Preventing and managing poor circulation requires addressing the root causes and contributing factors. First and foremost, blood sugar management is critical but not always easy as it requires commitment to healthy lifestyle habits, including:
- A blood sugar-balancing diet with balanced meals to meet daily nutrient needs, including protein, fiber, and micronutrients
- Reduction or elimination of processed, refined carbohydrates
- Daily movement and exercise, especially after meals
- Quitting smoking
- Stress management
- Good sleep
- Medications for blood sugar management
While these action steps help reduce blood sugar levels, many will also help improve circulation!
Additionally, for those with diabetes, regular foot exams and foot care are critical. Work with your healthcare team to learn how you can monitor foot health at home and a schedule for regular checkups.
Finally, targeted supplements can support healthy circulation and blood vessels.
Increase Blood Flow Circulation with BloodFlow-7®
Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to poor blood flow in the lower extremities, which can mean nerve damage and other complications over time. It’s critically important to detect circulation issues early and implement a prevention and management plan.
Juvenon's BloodFlow-7® supplement supports healthy blood flow and circulation with herbs that boost nitric oxide production. Nitric oxide is the natural compound that allows the arteries to open, improving blood flow, even to the tiny capillaries in the toes and feet. Improved circulation may soothe painful legs and feet, support healthy nerve function, and support healthy blood pressure.
Juvenon's BloodFlow-7® contains the nutrients required for nitric oxide production, including:
- L-citrulline
- L-arginine
- L-glutathione
It also contains trans-resveratrol to support blood vessel expansion, beet root extract to stimulate nitric oxide production, and the S7® blend of seven potent plant extracts to support blood flow, which include:
- Green coffee bean
- Green tea leaf
- Turmeric root
- Tart cherry
- Blueberry
- Broccoli
- Kale
FAQs Diabetes and Poor Circulation
Q: What does an early diabetic foot look like?
A: The early stages of poor circulation in the feet caused by diabetes might be mild symptoms such as dry, cracked skin on the feet, swelling, yellow toenails, and sores (like blisters or ingrown toenails) that don’t heal quickly. You may also notices changes in the shape of your feet.
Q: What does poor circulation in feet look like?
A: Poor circulation in your feet may look like changes in the color of the feet, such as grey or blue, because of poor circulation. You may also notice hair loss in the lower extremities due to inadequate blood flow.
Q: What do your feet look like when you have diabetes?
A: As diabetes progresses, it can lead to ulcers and wounds that heal poorly or become infected. Dry, cracked skin and calluses can progress into wounds. Wounds heal slowly and poorly without adequate circulation.
Q: What is the starting stage of diabetic foot?
A: The initial symptoms might be mild, such as mild burning, tingling, or coldness. In fact, you might not notice poor circulation until it becomes more severe over time.
Takeaways
Poor circulation is a common issue in people with diabetes, but it’s very manageable, especially when caught early. Combining medical treatments, lifestyle interventions, and targeted supplements like Juvenon's BloodFlow-7® can help promote healthy circulation, which is the key to healthy feet and legs.
References:
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-neuropathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20371580
- Petersmann, A., Müller-Wieland, D., Müller, U. A., Landgraf, R., Nauck, M., Freckmann, G., Heinemann, L., & Schleicher, E. (2019).Definition, Classification and Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus. Experimental and clinical endocrinology & diabetes : official journal, German Society of Endocrinology [and] German Diabetes Association, 127(S 01), S1–S7.
- Damanik, J., & Yunir, E. (2021).Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Cognitive Impairment. Acta medica Indonesiana, 53(2), 213–220.
- Tinajero, M. G., & Malik, V. S. (2021).An Update on the Epidemiology of Type 2 Diabetes: A Global Perspective. Endocrinology and metabolism clinics of North America, 50(3), 337–355.
- Yun, J. S., & Ko, S. H. (2021). Current trends in epidemiology of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular risk management in type 2 diabetes. Metabolism: clinical and experimental, 123, 154838.
- Faselis, C., Katsimardou, A., Imprialos, K., Deligkaris, P., Kallistratos, M., & Dimitriadis, K. (2020).Microvascular Complications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Current vascular pharmacology, 18(2), 117–124.
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21510-diabetic-feet
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/diabetic-foot-7967121
- https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/foot-problems
- https://www.uptodate.com/contents/foot-care-for-people-with-diabetes-beyond-the-basics/print
