Genetics, Obesity, and Environmental Factors
Almost everyone is concerned about their weight, but what causes diabetes? Genetics, obesity, and environmental factors can all play a part. We will look at these topics in this article. However, we cannot ignore the role of the environment.
Although obesity has a large influence on the risk of diabetes, it is not a determinant of diabetes. The best way to lower your risk is to make sure you have a healthy weight.
Genetics
Researchers have found significant associations between genetics and diabetes, including a variant in the PAX4 gene that causes type 2 diabetes. They have also identified genetic polymorphisms that may play a role in the development of insulin resistance and diabetes.
To find these genetic variations, researchers conducted exome sequencing, whole-genome sequencing, and genome-wide array genotyping in 111,000 people. Although most studies have only included people with European ancestry, other populations may have an increased risk of developing diabetes.
Researchers in the HAPO Study studied common genetic variants in GCK and TCF7L2 and found that they were associated with gestational diabetes and insulin resistance. These findings have led to a consensus definition of gestational diabetes.
Researchers also found an association between a mutation in the glucokinase gene and gestational diabetes. Genetics and diabetes:
An Overview
A large international team of scientists has identified a gene that may contribute to type 2 diabetes in East Asians. The research team identified common alleles among individuals from five different ethnic groups, and discovered a novel variant unique to East Asians.
The results have implications for new drug development and prevention strategies. And with further research, these findings may also provide clues to the genetic causes of diabetes. And in the meantime, the genetics of diabetes are a growing public health concern.
One of the most common monogenic forms of diabetes, MODY, results from a single gene defect in the function of b-cells. This disease is autosomal dominant and is usually passed down through families.
Patients with MODY are not obese, produce insulin, and do not have T1DM-related autoantibodies. In addition, patients with MODY are likely to have other members of their family with diabetes, including parents, siblings, and grandparents.
In some cases, MODY is mistaken for T1DM and T2DM due to overlapping characteristic features. There are currently 13 genes implicated in this disease.
In addition to genes, environmental factors are important to the development of diabetes. Tobacco use, poor diet, age, and ethnicity can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. A person’s environmental factors may also trigger type 1 diabetes.
Recent environmental changes and genetics play an important role in determining the risk of developing diabetes.
Those who are predisposed may want to start a healthy lifestyle and avoid any harmful habits that lead to type 2 diabetes.
Environment
While most studies focus on genes, environmental factors also play an important role in how people get diabetes. The number of hours of sunlight a year in northern Europe is low, and research has shown that consumption of cow’s milk in early childhood increased the risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
However, in central Italy, there has been no research to support the link between prenatal and early-life environmental risk factors for diabetes.
Built environments such as buildings, streets, and parks play a role in the development and management of type 2 diabetes. Policy and environmental factors that promote physical activity and healthy eating are associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.
Policies to prevent urban sprawl, for example, should promote active transportation, such as bicycle lanes, sidewalks, and adequate lighting. Also, public transportation must be accessible and affordable. However, despite the role of the built environment in diabetes, it is not a complete solution to the problem.
Environmental factors have been found to affect type 1 diabetes incidence differently between populations. While maternal infections such as HIV and malaria are associated with a high risk for type 1, a family history of the disease, and a high rate of viral infections during pregnancy are also linked to type 1 diabetes. However, environmental factors that influence the risk for the development of type 2 diabetes may differ between families.
This is still an emerging area of research and further study is needed.
Food swamps in Canada are known to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes in adults. These food-dense areas are also linked with obesity and overweight, which may explain the higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes in these neighborhoods.
Some studies also suggest that urban areas with more convenience stores and fast food restaurants are more likely to have higher rates of type 2 diabetes. In addition, the presence of supermarkets may reduce the risk of diabetes in type 2 people living in such areas.
Obesity
It is difficult to understand exactly how obesity causes diabetes, but a recent study suggests that excess body weight stresses the cells and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The ER is a network of membranes within cells that sends an alarm when there is too much sugar in the blood.
When this happens, insulin receptors on the cell surface become dampened, resulting in high blood glucose. Obesity is therefore a leading cause of type 2 diabetes.
Researchers have not identified a single gene responsible for obesity, but there are several genes that may play a role. While genetics play a role in obesity risk, many factors are inherited. People who are genetically predisposed to obesity have increased risks of some diabetes risk factors.
Genetic make-up can also play a role in obesity, including how fat deposits in specific areas of the body. The connection between abdominal fat and diabetes is particularly strong.
Insulin controls the breakdown of fats in the body, and obesity triggers changes in the metabolism. As fat tissues expand, they release fat molecules into the blood, reducing their sensitivity to insulin. This results in prediabetes, a metabolic condition that almost always develops into type 2 diabetes.
Obesity is also an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. By increasing body weight, individuals can develop diabetes as fast as one year.
Obesity increases insulin resistance, and the body’s inability to store glucose may promote weight loss. This is because insulin does not work efficiently to store the fuel in the form of fat or protein. In response to the lack of fuel, the body is forced to break down its own fat and protein.
The end result is weight loss. To combat this, researchers have developed drugs that block the protein called resistin. These drugs would decrease insulin resistance and allow the body to store glucose and gain weight.
The relationship between obesity and diabetes is complex, with both conditions being linked to many other factors. Ultimately, tackling the global diabesity epidemic requires a multidisciplinary approach. Governments, cultures, and food habits must address the complex issues involved.
Novel therapies will be necessary. But, a clear understanding of how obesity causes diabetes is essential to solving the epidemic. Therefore, it is imperative to find new treatments for both diseases.
Insulin resistance
People who have type 2 diabetes may wonder how to reduce insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to keep blood sugar levels in balance. But when the body’s cells are resistant to insulin, they do not absorb glucose as readily as they should, causing elevated blood sugar levels.
In addition, people with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease and prediabetes. If you’re concerned about insulin resistance, there are several dietary and lifestyle changes that may help you avoid diabetes.
One important factor to remember about insulin resistance is that it has different causes. The most common is type 2 diabetes, which is characterized by insulin resistance.
Type 2 diabetes patients are hyperinsulinemic for decades before the disease progresses to the point where the glucose levels rise significantly.
In severe cases, the insulin levels fall below normal, and patients’ plasma insulin levels become extremely low. While this may be alarming, it’s important to understand that the disease can be cured if the insulin level in the blood is reduced or even normal.
People with type 2 diabetes may have high triglyceride levels. High levels of these lipids can result in diabetes and prediabetes. People with insulin resistance often have high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in their blood.
While the exact cause of insulin resistance is not understood, researchers suspect that obesity and lack of physical activity are important contributors to it. If you are overweight or obese, you should consider losing weight and improving your diet.
However, not all fats are created equal. Certain fats can increase insulin resistance and worsen it. While saturated fats increase insulin resistance, omega-3 fatty acids counteract insulin resistance and help improve it. Fatty fish are especially rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Eating a diet rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids may improve insulin resistance and reduce the symptoms of diabetes.
However, if you’re already insulin-resistant, it’s not a good idea to start a new diet without consulting a physician.
