Reducing Oxidative Stress in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Primary Care Call to Action

Jeff Unger, MD

The effects of chronic hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension in patients with diabetes mellitus places these individuals at high risk for microvascular and macrovascular complications. Approximately 80% of patients with type 2 DM will succumb to cardiovascular complications such as stroke, peripheral arterial disease, and heart disease. Given the important role of oxidative stress in the development of complications of type 2 DM, physicians should consider methods to reduce oxidative stress that may occur during both acute (postprandial) and chronic hyperglycemia.