A novel study has established that both genetic risk factors and diet quality play independent roles in determining the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The study concludes that a healthy diet can offset the risk of diabetes, irrespective of one’s genetic predisposition.
The research, led by Jordi Merino from Massachusetts General Hospital, involved over 35,000 US adults. It was recently published in PLOS Medicine.
Dissecting the Study: Genetic vs. Lifestyle Factors in Diabetes Risk
Type 2 diabetes risk is known to be influenced by both genetic and lifestyle factors. Previous research has indicated that a healthy lifestyle can mitigate diabetes risk across all genetic profiles.
However, the interplay between genetics and lifestyle factors remained ambiguous.
To delve into this, the researchers analyzed data from three extensive cohort studies. They monitored 35,759 U.S. health professionals for a total of 902,386 person-years.
Findings: Independent Influence of Genetics and Diet on Diabetes Risk
The study revealed that poor diet quality increases the risk of type 2 diabetes by 30%, regardless of genetic risk.
The relative risk of type 2 diabetes rose by 1.29 per standard deviation increase in the global polygenic score—a measure of genetic risk.
Similarly, it increased by 1.13 per 10-unit decrease in the Alternate Healthy Eating Index, a diet quality measure.
The combined impact of poor diet quality and heightened genetic risk on diabetes risk was found to be akin to the sum of the risks associated with each factor individually. This highlights their separate associations.
However, due to the specific cohort sampling used in this study, these findings may not necessarily apply to all populations.
Implications and Future Directions
Merino emphasized that the study furnishes evidence that the risk of type 2 diabetes due to increased genetic risk and poor diet quality is equivalent to the sum of the risks associated with each factor separately.
This insight could inform future strategies for diabetes prevention, underscoring the pivotal role of both genetic screening and dietary interventions in diabetes risk management.
As we continue to explore the avenues to combat diabetes, these findings shed light on the importance of a balanced diet, regardless of genetic predisposition.
Studies into novel ways to achieve type 2 diabetes remission and the potential health benefits of foods such as avocados further contribute to our understanding of this pervasive condition.
Just as we must not overlook the warning signs of diabetes-related eye disease, we should also recognize the significant potential of dietary management in diabetes prevention and treatment.
This study takes us a step closer to a more comprehensive understanding of diabetes and could potentially revolutionize our approach to prevention strategies.
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If you care about diabetes, please read studies about Vitamin D and type 2 diabetes, and what you need to know about avocado and type 2 diabetes.
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