Diabetes Nutrition Secrets
Healthy food choices are important for our nutrition. In order for all of us to feel better, maintain a healthy weight and be protected from diseases and other harmful conditions we need to pay close attention to what we put into our bodies. However, if you have been diagnosed with diabetes, your food selections become even more important, since diabetes nutrition can have an even greater impact on your health.
The good news is that diabetes nutrition is really not that different from the healthy food choices that the rest of the population should make. It simply becomes more important to make those choices carefully and consistently if you have this disease.
Watch your Percentages
As a general rule, diabetes nutrition should include a diet that consists of 20-40% of carbohydrates, 20-40% from protein, and 30% or less from fat. This should be measured by the amount of calories consumed and is good guideline for anyone with diabetes.
In addition to monitoring the correct percentages of the types of food you eat, it is also important to make good choices within those percentages. For example, opt for organic fruits and vegetables from the health food store instead of the chemical laden kind you get at the supermarket.
Go with a skinless chicken breast rather than a piece of red meat as often as possible. By consistently acting in a conscientious manner when planning your menus and making your food selections, you will go far in keeping your diabetes nutrition where it should be.
What to Include In Your Diabetes Diet
Diabetes nutrition is not that different from nutrition for everyone else, so stick with the standard guidelines of nutrition and you will go far in helping to manage your disease. If you are overweight, you will also want to opt for low-calorie and low-fat foods that will help you to drop the excess pounds and maintain a healthier weight. Always remember to drink a lot of water.
Along with organic fruits and vegetables being at the top of your diabetes nutrition list, you may want to add plenty of whole grains that will offer the necessary fiber and nutrients. Your protein selections should be of the lean and low-fat varieties.
Try soy protein as plant based protein is better for you than animal based protein. Animal based protein comes from meat that you consume. If you insist on eating meat try to add wild fish and beans instead of red meat whenever possible to meet your diabetes requirements.
What to Avoid In Your Diabetes Diet
Like any healthy diet program, diabetes nutrition consists of keeping foods high in fat and sugar to a minimum for both weight control and nutritional considerations. Although most medical professionals will agree that a little sugar is not necessarily a bad thing when it comes to diabetes nutrition, too much of a good thing can become a problem rather quickly.
Therefore, it is important to limit your intake of refined sugar items as well as those that are fried or high in fat from other sources. Stay away from all processed foods (fast food, potato chips, candy etc.) They have no nutritional content whatsoever.
Keep in mind that even healthy foods contain calories, so it is also important to monitor portion sizes as a part of diabetes nutrition.
Brue M. Baker, is an expert on natural health and fitness who has helped people from all across the country sky-rocket their health and well-being. Find out how you can get your hands on the best natural vitamins by visiting: http://www.DynamicHealthTips.com
Managing Type II Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, it accounts for 90% of the diabetes cases. Even though 17 million Americans have type 2 diabetes, and it is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, only half of these people know that they are diabetic. There are many factors for the widespread growth of this disease that range from diet, lack of exercise and genetics. However, there is hope, with the help of your doctor, nutritionists and personal trainer; it can be a manageable disease.
What makes type 2 diabetes different than type 1 diabetes is not lack of insulin production, although with time this can develop. The first stage in type 2 diabetes is the condition called insulin resistance. Insulin is an important hormone that transports sugar in the form of glucose, which is the main source of cellular energy, into the cells. Diabetes is a very serious condition, if it is left untreated, blood glucose levels rise too high. High glucose and out of control diabetes wreaks havoc on the body by both starving the cells of energy, as well as damaging eyes, kidneys, nerves and the cardiovascular system.
While there are some people who have type 2 diabetes in its early stages experience no noticeable physical symptoms, others suffer from some of the most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes which are increased thirst, increased urination, fatigue, kidney damage, increased appetite, blurry vision, slow healing wounds and erectile dysfunction in men.
Some of the risk factors for those who are most likely to develop type 2 diabetes are: Genetics, having a close family member with diabetes; Obesity, those who are overweight are much more likely to become diabetic; African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are most likely to develop the disease; Those over 45 are more likely to be diabetic; and Hypertension
Blood glucose monitoring is an essential tool in blood sugar management. Testing your blood glucose tells you your blood glucose level at any one time. It is also important to keep a log of your results. You should then bring this record to your health care provider. Doing this will help you have a good picture of your body’s response to your diabetes care plan. Blood glucose checks also help you to know what diet or medicine changes are working and what is not working. This will allow you and your doctor, nutritionist, dietary educator to make necessary changes.
If you are unable to manage your diabetes with diet and exercise, medication may be necessary. Some drugs help the pancreas produce more insulin, some help the liver to produce less sugar, some decrease the stomachs ability to absorb carbohydrates, and some work on the cellular level to help the cells take in the glucose.
There is hope in the form of holistic help for those who suffer from diabetes. One of the newer and most effective products for treating diabetes is Eleotin. There are also some great products that are combinations of herbs and nutrients that have been proven in clinical studies to lower blood sugar like Sweet Balance. Perhaps the most studied nutrient for managing blood sugars is chromium picolinate.
The author of this article recommends visiting http://www.squidoo.com/typeIIdiabetes/ for more information.
Type 2 Diabetes Epidemic
According the American Diabetes Association (ADA), there are 15.7 million Americans who have diabetes. This disease is the main cause of blindness in people between the ages of twenty and seventy and is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S.
If this disease is not properly managed, diabetes can cause kidney disease, hypertension, heart disease, edema, neuropathy, and infections of the mouth, feet, skin, lungs and genitalia. The skin infections do not heal properly and can even lead to amputation of extremities.
Type 2 diabetes has become the most common form of disease affecting 90-95 percent of the people who have diabetes. For people who have type II diabetes, not enough insulin is manufactured by the pancreas. Another problem is that the cells can become insulin resistant. When this happens, glucose accumulates in the blood instead of entering the cells.
Type 2 diabetes usually develops later in life; however, the disease is now becoming more common in people in their thirties and even late twenties.
The most common risk factors among those who develop this condition include diet, weight, race, age, lack of exercise and genetics. The most common ethnic groups to have type 2 diabetes are Latinos, American Indians, African-Americans, and American Asians.
The real danger of diabetes is the complications associated from inconsistent insulin levels and elevated blood glucose. One dangerous complication is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), or another dangerous condition known as hyperosmolar syndrome. DKA happens when insulin levels are so low that the body starts metabolizing stored fat to use as fuel. When the fat breaks down, a byproduct is released that is known as ketones which cause the body to become too acidic.
Ketoacidosis is typically seen in those with type 1 diabetes, but can happen to those with type 2 as well. The symptoms can include nausea, sweet breath, having a hard time breathing and confusion which can lead to a coma.
Hyperosmolar syndrome is a result of elevated blood sugars accompanied with dehydration. This condition is more common in those with type 2 diabetes who also take steroid medications. Hyperosmolar syndrome can also be a result of a stress from another illness. Symptoms can include confusion, tiredness, and in the most severe cases, coma. Often, in older adults, type 2 diabetes is not discovered until the symptoms of hypersmolar syndrome are reported to a doctor.
If you have recently been diagnosed with diabetes, you probably have a lot of questions and may even have a hard time grasping the severity and the responsibilities that come with this condition. It must now become a priority to take care of your body. If you are overweight, it is time to drop those extra pounds. You will also need to cut back on sugars, eat more fiber, and limit fours and white rice and to start a regular exercise regime.
You will also want to make an appointment with an optometrist make sure that your eyes are in good shape. Other important things that you can do are monitor the health of your feet for sores and losing feeling in the toes.
To learn more about what you can do to improve your health if you have type 2 diabetes, visit http://www.squidoo.com/typeIIdiabetes/
Recent Discovery A Breakthrough For Texans Concerned About Diabetes?
British researchers believe they may have found a molecule that can taste sweets. This breakthrough could lead to better lines of treatment for the hundreds of thousands of diabetics who live in Dallas, Houston, Austin and elsewhere in the state of Texas.
You could call it a gut feeling, but scientists carrying out research into diabetes say they have found that a sweet taste receptor, one which senses sugar and sweeteners, is not only present in the human tongue, but also in the human intestine.
Now these researchers are trying to harness its power and utilize it like a dimmer switch. These researchers believe this finding could lead to improved treatment for diabetes, which causes blood sugar levels to become chronically higher than normal.
Professor Soraya Shirazi-Beechey, from the University of Liverpool’s Faculty of Veterinary Science, announced the molecule’s discovery in the intestine.
Shirazi-Beechey said that the researchers found that the sweet taste receptor and the taste protein, which is called gustducin, are present as taste cells in the intestines. These sweet sensing proteins allow both humans and animals to detect sugar or glucose within the intestine.
The doctor explains, “We discovered that mice missing the gene for either of these proteins were unable to process the production of the intestinal sugar and were therefore unable to regulate the intestinal capacity to absorb dietary sugars.”
This is a critical breakthrough because the molecule determines how much sugar the human body absorbs. If scientists can discover how to manipulate this sweet tasting molecule, then they can control how much sugar is absorbed by the intestine. Once it identifies the sweets, it sends signals to another molecule that regulates the levels of sugar taken into the body,” she said. “For example, with a dimmer switch you can control the level of light in the room. That’s what we are trying to do. We are trying to control the switch, the molecule, to increase or decrease the amount of sugar that is absorbed by the body.”
Shirazi-Beechey adds that those who use an artificial sweetener and think they are going to lose weight are sorely mistaken. “Surprisingly we also found that the receptor was able to detect artificial sweeteners in foods and drinks resulting in increased capacity of the intestine to absorb dietary sugars, which would explain why these sweeteners are unsuccessful at helping people lose weight,” she explained.
Prof Shirazi-Beechey and her team are currently working on a food supplement that may be able to control the molecule. Tests are being carried out on mice with the study is still in its early stages.
Scientists are also reporting that, besides a possible cure for diabetes, the ability to control this molecule can help those with obesity. As a side note for horse racing fans, it could help racehorses retain a high level of sugar to sustain them for long races.
Pat Carpenter writes for Precedent Insurance Company. Precedent puts a new spin on health insurance. Learn more at http://www.precedent.com
Creating A Diabetic Diet Plan
Diabetes is a very common disease and in the United States 20.8 million people or 7% of the population of both children and adults have some form of this disease. For those who have this disease it is good to know that it can be controlled with a few lifestyle changes. Unfortunately for many people changing their daily habits can be both hard and frustrating. The foods they have always enjoyed are off limits and are replaced with healthy foods that can take some getting used to. This is particularly true for people who have a sweet tooth and find giving up sugar to be a hard proposition.
Fortunately for people who have diabetes finding foods that help control their condition is easy with a little research and the help of a nutritionist. While your doctor may be the place to start with when it comes to treating and controlling your diabetes he or she may not be the most the up to date on the foods that you can and cannot eat. A licensed nutritionist is the way to go create a diabetic diet plan full of healthy foods that taste good.
Because diabetes is such a common disease there is a whole food industry built up around it offering many foods that are a match for even the most sugary treats to satisfy those with a sweet tooth. That means if you used to enjoy chocolate cakes chances are you will be able to find an artificially sweetened chocolate cake that will taste just as good as the real thing. With the advent of the many artificial sweeteners there are many options when it comes to creating a diabetic diet plan.
Even though you may no longer be able to enjoy all your favorite foods there are many foods options available to you. The American Diabetes Association has a wealth of resources available for people with diabetes including a comprehensive list of foods that diabetics can include in their diet plan. These include meats, vegetables, fruit, breads, dairy and fats.
Their website has this information readily available for free along with a multitude of other free resources across the World Wide Web. You can also find many books at your local book store with complete lists of diabetic foods and the diet plans you can use with them. When the sugary sweets and foods have to go because of diabetes one does not have to stop living and enjoying good tasting food.
If you are diabetic or know someone who is and you want to learn more about diabetic diet plans please visit the website Diabetic Diet Plans at http://diabetic-diet-plan.health-choices-net.com
The Obesity Epidemic and Juvenile Diabetes
The increasing obesity epidemic among children today is thought to be a leading cause in the increase in juvenile diabetes in this country today. While not everyone agrees on the causes and affects it is hard to argue with the continuing increase of children with Type 2 diabetes who are also overweight. In fact as the percentages of obese children raises so does the percentage of those affected with juvenile diabetes at nearly the same rate.
There appear to be two main reasons for this increase in Type 2 diabetes among children. Most children these days have a sedentary lifestyle that revolves around watching TV, playing video games, or using their computer to chat with and email their friends. The second issue for many kids is their poor eating habits and nutrition. Living the fast food life style or eating a bag a chips while playing video games is one of the major reasons for the preponderance of overweight kids we see today.
For many years Type 2 diabetes was something that overweight adults had to contend with, mainly because children weren’t having the weight issues they have today. Type 2 diabetes in an adult is also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes. The primary treatment for this type of this disease is lifestyle changes involving diet and exercise for both children and adults.
One of the main concerns with type 2 juvenile diabetes is the affects it can have later on in a child’s life. Children with type 2 diabetes have been found to have more life threatening complications than type 1 diabetics. Some of the major problems juveniles with this type of diabetes face include heart disease, damage to the nervous system, renal failure, blindness, and limb amputations, particularly of the feet and lower legs.
The first line of defense against juvenile type 2 diabetes is probably the most obvious. Maintain a healthy body weight through proper diet and exercise thus preventing the onset of the disease. For children already diagnosed this same treatment applies if they are to avoid the complications to their health later in life.
For the juvenile diabetic a healthy diet is the cornerstone of their treatment. A well balanced diet low in sugar, saturated fats, and salt is the way to go. High fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables, along with complex carbohydrates are best for the diabetic. Even then foods high in carbs should be eaten throughout the day to help prevent large rises in blood glucose levels. Regular physical activity or exercise is also recommended to help insulin move glucose out of the blood and into the cells.
Childhood obesity is an epidemic all parents should take seriously. The long term health affects of all children are at stake, particularly with an increased risk of juvenile diabetes, a disease that will affect any child for their life time. By making easy lifestyle changes centered on a healthy diet and physical activity the onset of type 2 diabetes can be prevented, or even delayed in children at high risk.
To learn more about Obesity and Juvenile Diabetes please visit the web site Diabetic Diet Plans at http://diabetic-diet-plan.health-choices-net.com/juvenile-diabetes/Juvenile-Diabetes.html
Can The Diabetes Diet Save Your Life ?
Did you know that approximately a quarter of all Americans are suffering from full blown Type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes (syndrome X)? Diabetes has become an epidemic that allopathic (traditional western) medicine has been unable to halt. Ninety percent of diabetic patients have difficulty managing glucose levels using drugs that can have serious side effects.
The Diabetes Diet, created by Dr Richard Bernstein, may well be the best diet for everyone, not just diabetics. The reason for this is that it has the potential to not only control diabetic symptoms, but also to reverse them.
The Diabetes Diet has had enormous success - without side effects!
One of the major difficulties people have in recognizing they have the symptoms of diabetes is that they occur gradually. In fact, for the first couple of years, there may be no symptoms at all. Yet, once a person has Type 2 diabetes, they are at serious risk of life threatening complications if they do not carefully follow the low-carbohydrate Diabetes Diet prescribed by Bernstein.
Type 2 diabetes is largely a lifestyle disease and, unfortunately, far too few people understand how extremely dangerous it is. Consequently, patients are often far too casual about getting regular medical check ups to check on blood sugar levels and general health.
Not only do many sufferers find it extremely difficult to radically alter their diet from western convenience foods to the Diabetes Diet containing whole nutritious foods, avoiding sugar and fat as much as possible, they often become depressed and anxious and paralyzed by negative emotions. This can keep them from taking the very actions required to improve their health and keep them alive. It also suppresses the motivation necessary to undertake a regular exercise program.
This diet for Diabetics was created to control blood sugar levels in diabetics, however it clearly benefits everyone. The diet focuses on eating protein, good fat and complex carbohydrates found in whole grains and fruit and vegetables.
By eating this way, people can avoid the fluctuating blood sugar levels caused by a high carbohydrate (simple carbohydrates). Bernstein describes the modern Western diet as SAD (standard American diet) and claims it has directly caused a massive increase in obesity, high blood pressure and damage to the lining of the blood vessels.
Dr. Bernstein, who has Type 1 diabetes, did not experience a healthy life until he devised his own diet to regulate his blood sugar levels. Many diabetics, both Type 1 and Type 2, have experienced a balancing of blood sugar levels and an overall improvement in health and well being after going on The Diabetes Diet. In fact, Bernstein claims that sticking to this diet for as little as two weeks can provide an enormous benefit. Once you have experienced this, he believes you’ll never want to go back to SAD.
While Type 2 diabetes can be caused by some medications, it is usually a direct result of poor nutrition, inadequate exercise and a diet high in sugar and fat. Therefore, it is probably unrealistic to expect that a person can change the habits of a lifetime overnight.
Yet, this is what must happen to improve the lives and futures of type 2 diabetics. Health must become the top priority. The Diabetes Diet provides an excellent map to reclaiming health.
Change is necessary and must not be avoided. However, neither should it be so overwhelming that the patient can’t cope with the thought of it. The answer is to make gradual, but consistent, changes in lifestyle.
For example, the first step might be to start walking every day. Just go as far as comfortable and try for a little more the next day. Drink more water. Cut out all fast foods. These changes would be radical enough for most Type 2 diabetics but, in fact, they don’t go far enough.
However, doing them will improve health and mood and put the patient in a more positive and hopeful frame of mind so they can take further steps. If they continue, eventually, the patient’s lifestyle will be completely overhauled and internal resistance to these changes will have been limited. It is certainly possible to eat according to this weight loss program without undue suffering.
The answer to positive lifelong change in a person’s lifestyle lies in their own motivation. It is possible to encourage that motivation through gradual, supportive change. The Diabetes Diet provides the guidance and support a lot of people need.
Ken Black is the founder of http://www.Weight-Loss-Discovery.com, a website all about weight loss programs and more. Visit our blog to discover the latest news on losing weight.
Nutrition Standards for Juvenile Diabetics
The nutritional recommendations for juveniles with diabetes are much the same as the general population in this country. Children with diabetes need to eat a well balanced and healthy diet in order to keep their blood sugar levels in the normal range. Because of this need to control blood sugar they must eat foods in specified amounts depending on how they affect blood sugar levels.
Finding out that their child has diabetes can be quite shocking for many parents. One of the most challenging parts of any diabetics lifestyle change is learning how to prepare meals and snacks. This can be doubly hard for the parents of a diabetic child because following the dietary advice of the doctor and dietician can affect the entire household.
Attempting to learn what foods to feed a juvenile with diabetes can be confusing at first. There is a wealth of information in books and on websites but for most parents in can be overwhelming trying to figure it all out. The important thing for parents with newly diagnosed diabetic children to do is learn to spot the good information from the bad.
The best place to start is the American Diabetes Association where they will find the Diabetes Food Pyramid. This pyramid is much like the USDA food pyramid that everyone is familiar with with one difference. The USDA pyramid classifies food by the group they are in whereas the diabetic food pyramid groups foods based on their carbohydrate, protein, and fat content and breaks them down into the amount of servings for each. There are six groups that make up the diabetic pyramid and they include starches, proteins, fats, meats, fruits and vegetables.
If we take a look at each category we can get a better understanding of each and how they fit into a well balanced diabetic diet plan.
Starches and Grains: These are the primary sources of carbohydrates for everyone. These include foods like whole grains, rye, oats and the starchy vegetables such as potatoes and corn. This group also includes the dry beans such as pinto beans and black eyed peas. The suggested number of serving per day is between six to eleven. This is a range and must be personalized to the individual’s needs and goals with the help of a registered dietician.
Vegetables: Vegetables should always be a part of every dietary plan. They are full of many vital nutrients, are low in fat, and high in fiber all of which contribute to good health. Diabetics should have three to five servings per day. It is important to note that the starchy vegetables are not included in this category and should not be substituted into this group of the pyramid.
Fruits: Fruits are loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber as well as carbohydrates. Serving sizes are determined by the individual fruit and suggested serving are two to four per day.
Milk: Milk and dairy products are essential in that they contain protein, calcium and many of the vitamins we need each day. Because they can contain a substantial amount of fat it is best to choose low fat or non fat versions of these products. The pyramid recommends two to three servings per day.
Meat and Meat Products: Meat and meat products are a primary supply of protein for all people. They also provide essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids the body needs to function in a healthy fashion. Choose only lean cuts and trim any visible fat to help keep the amount of saturated fat ingested to a minimum.
Fats, Sweets and Alcohol: While diabetics can partake of these it is recommended to keep their use in meal preparation and snack to a minimum. For the juvenile with diabetes this is important in that it teaches them food habits that will stay with them for the rest of their life.
The American Diabetes Association is a good place to start when it comes to learning about feeding a juvenile with diabetes. They have everything needed for healthy meal planning, exchange lists, weight control and recommended exercise programs.
To learn more about the nutritional needs of juvenile diabetes please visit the web site Diabetic Diet Plans at http://diabetic-diet-plan.health-choices-net.com/juvenile-diabetes/Juvenile-Diabetes.html
Natural Help For Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is becoming more and more common every year in Western societies. There are many factors for this ranging from diet, lack of exercise and genetics. With the help of your doctor and nutritionists, it can be a manageable disease.
In type 2 diabetes, either the pancreas does not make enough insulin, or the cells become resistant to insulin. Insulin takes sugar in the form of glucose, which is the main source of cellular energy, into the cells. If diabetes is untreated blood sugar levels get too high. This both starves the cells of energy, as well as damage eyes, kidneys, nerves and cardiovascular system.
While some who have type 2 diabetes experience no noticeable symptoms, others suffer from some of the most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes which are increased thirst, increased urination, fatigue, increased appetite, blurry vision, slow healing wounds and erectile dysfunction in men.
If you have diabetes, your first goal should be to control these symptoms and to help stabilize your blood sugar levels.
It is very important that you regularly test your blood sugars to monitor your daily levels. Watching your diet for fast releasing carbs and losing weight are two things you have immediate control over to help regulate your blood sugar levels. Exercise is also very important for bringing down elevated blood glucose levels. Both cardiovascular and weight training have been shown to help bring down high blood sugar. Before starting an exercise program, be sure to see your doctor first to find the right program.
If this does not help, medication may be necessary. Some drugs help the pancreas produce more insulin, some help the liver to produce less sugar, some decrease the stomachs absorption of carbohydrates, and some work on the cellular level to help the cells take in the glucose.
There are also dietary supplements that can be taken to help manage type 2 diabetes. One of the most common and most researches is the essential trace element chromium picolinate. Chromium plays a critical role in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats.
We do get some chromium in our food. It can be found in meats, animal fats, fish, coffee, tea, whole wheat and rye breads and brewer’s yeast. However, it can be difficult to consume enough chromium on a regular basis to be of benefit.
Chromium picolinate has been shown to both improve glucose tolerance and decrease glucose levels after fasting. It has also been shown to help with lowering total cholesterol and triglyceride levels while at the same time, raising the good or HDL cholesterol levels.
One key piece of research done on chromium supplements demonstrated improved glucose tolerance in people with both type 1 and 2 diabetes. This is done by helping to increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin. This is also beneficial for those diagnosed with prediabetes.
Most of the studies done on chromium picolinate have been done on doses of 200 mcg a day. However, many doctors and naturopaths recommend up to 1 mg or 1,000 mcg daily for those with diabetes.
When considering the safety and low cost of supplementing chromium picolinate, there seems to be no obvious reason for anyone with diabetes or blood sugar issues to supplement this essential trace mineral.
Supplementing chromium or any other nutrients to help treat diabetes should be done under the watchful eye of your health care provider.
The author recommends visiting the natural health website http://www.jeffshealthyliving.com for more information and the health and wellness blog at http://www.jeffshealthyliving.com/blog
Seven Newly-Identified Diabetes Genes
Recent research findings may offer some new hope to 20.8 million individuals in Dallas, Houston, elsewhere in Texas and throughout the rest of the United States who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed, 6.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unfortunately unaware that they have the disease.
Researchers recently identified seven new genes connected to the most common form of diabetes. The findings, presented in three reports by university scientists and one by a private company, offer novel insights into the biology of a disease that affects 170 million people worldwide.
The reports bring the number of well-attested genes involved in adult-onset, or Type 2 diabetes up to 10, from the three known previously. The new genes do not immediately suggest any new therapy, but may point to a new biological basis for the disease, from which effective treatments could emerge in time.
DeCode Genetics, an Icelandic company responsible for one of the reports, has dominated the genetic-research field for the past five years. The other papers come from three academic consortia, led by Dr. David Altshuler of the Broad Institute, Michael Boehnke of the University of Michigan and Mark McCarthy of the University of Oxford in England.
Several researchers said that the new diabetes studies, and a soon-to-be-released report on seven major diseases prepared by the Welcome Trust in London, were a turning point in the pursuit of the genes that underlie common diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and schizophrenia. The variant genes are common, but each makes only a small contribution to disease, rendering them hard to identify.
There is considerable overlap in the diabetes genes identified in the recent four reports, giving the authors confidence that at last their whole genome association method is producing reliable results.
Until recently, “there was no sense of progress” in tracking down the genes of diabetes or other common diseases, Dr. Altshuler said. The logjam started to break a year ago with DeCode’s report of its TCF7L2 gene, and the consistent findings reported by the academic centers “has to be acknowledged as substantial progress,” Dr. Altshuler said.
Dr. Boehnke agreed, saying, “It’s very exciting to have results in which we truly believe.” Up until now, he said, diabetes research has been what his professor warned would be “a geneticist’s nightmare.”
The importance of the new genes is that they point to previously unknown pathways involved in diabetes. Dr. Altshuler agreed with Dr. Stefansson’s view that DeCode’s TCF7L2 gene has the greatest effect on diabetes, but said the other genes provide new insights regardless of the size of their effects. “The fact that none of the genes found were on anyone’s radar screen shows how much there is to learn,” Dr. Altshuler said.
“I tip my hat to DeCode,” he said. “But the technology is now widely available,” and, in his view, the only barrier to other teams contributing to gene discovery would be if they dropped the high standards of statistical rigor developed by the three academic consortia.
Several of the new variant genes make the pancreatic beta cells produce less insulin, Dr. Altshuler said. That suggests that diabetes may start as a disease of too little insulin production, even though patients turn up in the doctor’s office making too much insulin, to which their tissues have become resistant.
The variant genes found so far account for only two to 20 percent of the overall risk of diabetes, implying there are many more to be found. The present genes are not sufficient to distinguish reliably between people at low- or high-risk for diabetes, Dr. Boehnke said.
By mapping the human genome, scientists are discovering which individuals are more prone to certain diseases and conditions. But genetics are just half the story - how you treat your body when you’re young will also certainly affect your health when you get older.
Pat Carpenter writes for Precedent Insurance Company. Precedent puts a new spin on health insurance. Learn more at http://www.precedent.com