Cytokines are chemical messengers secreted by the cells of your immune system. They indicate a state of inflammation and are the chief communication signals of your T cells.

In the last decade, researchers have found these tiny proteins play a big role in the major health conditions we face today including insulin resistance, diabetes, heart disease and metabolic syndrome.

Cytokines include include tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin, interferon and C-reactive protein (CRP) to name a few. One cytokine - C-reactive protein - has been found to predict the occurrence of heart disease in healthy people.

Because blood sugar stimulates the release of cytokines, researchers have explored the link between blood sugar, CRP and the adverse cardiovascular events associated with diabetes. Studies have found that fasting glucose is significantly and positively associated with CRP, meaning the higher the blood sugar level, the more C-reactive protein produced in the body and the more inflammation.

References

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