Researchers have made an important discovery in understanding why some people develop type 2 diabetes and why it affects individuals differently.
Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body struggles with high blood sugar levels, which can lead to serious health issues. It affects about 10% of people in the United States and varies greatly in how it presents itself from person to person.
A team from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard has studied the genetics of people from diverse backgrounds.
They’ve found specific genetic patterns that explain some of the differences in how type 2 diabetes develops and affects various groups of people.
The study looked at genetic information from over 1.4 million individuals of various ancestries, including African/African American, Admixed American, East Asian, European, South Asian, and those with mixed backgrounds.
The researchers identified 650 genetic variants linked to type 2 diabetes and 110 traits related to the disease.
Their research confirmed some previously known genetic clusters (groups of genetic regions with similar biological functions) and discovered new ones.
These clusters are related to different bodily processes like cholesterol levels, how the body breaks down old red blood cells, and how fat and liver tissues process lipids.
One of the key findings is that these genetic patterns help explain why type 2 diabetes is more common in certain populations at lower body weights.
For instance, people from East Asian backgrounds might be at a higher risk for type 2 diabetes at a lower body mass index (BMI) than others. This could mean that doctors might need to consider a person’s genetic background when determining their healthy BMI.
The study’s leaders, Miriam S. Udler, MD, Ph.D., Kirk Smith, MS, and Aaron J. Deutsch, MD, believe that understanding the genetics behind type 2 diabetes can help explain why the disease varies so much among different people.
More importantly, it opens up possibilities for developing targeted treatments that could one day cure this condition.
Their work not only sheds light on the complex nature of type 2 diabetes but also highlights the importance of considering genetic diversity in medical research.
By understanding the genetic factors at play, medical professionals can offer more personalized care, potentially leading to better outcomes for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
This research is a step forward in the quest to understand and eventually cure type 2 diabetes.
It emphasizes the power of genetic research in uncovering the mysteries of complex diseases and tailoring healthcare to meet the unique needs of diverse populations.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies that pomace olive oil could help lower blood cholesterol, and honey could help control blood sugar.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies about Vitamin D that may reduce dangerous complications in diabetes and results showing plant-based protein foods may help reverse type 2 diabetes.
The research findings can be found in Nature Medicine.
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