Insulin, when used properly, helps protect the kidneys, particularly for individuals with diabetes. The core issue revolves around blood sugar control.
How Insulin Helps Protect Kidneys
- Blood Sugar Regulation: Insulin's primary function is to regulate blood sugar levels. According to information from 12-Feb-2024, "Insulin helps to control your blood sugar and keep it in a healthy range to prevent or slow damage to your kidneys."
- Preventing Kidney Damage: High blood sugar damages the blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to reduced function and potentially kidney disease. Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels with insulin helps mitigate this damage.
- Diabetes and Kidney Disease: High blood sugar from diabetes is a major cause of kidney disease, meaning effective diabetes management with insulin is crucial for kidney health.
Potential Risks (Although Not Directly Related to Insulin's Safety for the Kidneys When Used Correctly)
While insulin itself, when appropriately prescribed and used, is generally considered safe and beneficial for kidney health in the context of diabetes management, poor blood sugar control due to inadequate or incorrect insulin use can indirectly contribute to kidney damage. The reference does not directly state insulin is unsafe for the kidneys, but implies the opposite when used to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
