Genetics of Diabetes
Diabetes is the prevalent disease that has an impact on the way your body utilizes blood sugar (glucose), which is a source of energy. Diabetes has two major categories; Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. As far as both types are concerned, your genes can affect them–but not in the same manner.
This blog article describes how genetics is involved in diabetes. Do you have a family history of diabetes? Or are you just interested in the role your DNA has in the matter? In any case, this guide will help you get a clear and simple overview of the basics.
Who is at risk of developing Diabetes? In this eye-opening video, we explore the key factors that determine who gets Diabetes, from genetics and lifestyle choices to environmental influences.
Whether you’re concerned about your own risk or just want to understand more about the condition, we break down the different types of diabetes and who’s most likely to develop them.
With practical tips on prevention and management, this video provides valuable insights to help you take proactive steps towards better health. Watch now to learn more and stay one step ahead in protecting your wellbeing!
Watch our insightful video to learn “Who gets Diabetes?“
What is Genetics?
Before burying our head into how genetics influence diabetes, it is important first to know what genetics entails.
The genes are instruction booklets of your body (made of DNA) and each of your body cells contains some of them. They are inherited genes from your parents. They identify a lot of stuff about you–such as the color of your eyes, your height, and even how your body metabolizes sugar.
At times, some genetic changes (or rather gene variants or mutation) may predispose you to a disease such as diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes and Genetics
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder. This implies that the immune system of the body unnecessarily starts attacking and killing the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. In the absence of insulin, the body is unable to regulate the level of sugar in the blood.
Is Type 1 Diabetes Genetic?
Yes, genes are a large part of Type 1 diabetes, but that is not the entire picture.
Scientists have discovered that there are some genes, particularly those associated with the immune system, which increase the chances of a person developing Type 1 diabetes. The most significant ones are referred to as HLA genes (short term for Human Leukocyte Antigen).
- Individuals having particular HLA (e.g. HLA-DR3 or HLA-DR4) are more susceptible.
- But not all people having these genes develop diabetes. This implies that the disease can also be activated by other factors such as infections, environment or stress.
Can Type 1 Diabetes Be Inherited?
The disease of diabetes type 1 may be hereditary although it is not directly inherited like the color of the eyes.
- In the case of a parent or a sibling with Type 1 diabetes, the evidence suggests that you are more likely than average to have Type 1 diabetes but, overall, the risk is still low.
- To give an example, in case a father has Type 1 diabetes, a child carries approximately 1 in 17 risk of getting it. When a mother carries it, the probability is estimated to be 1 in 25.
Type 2 Diabetes and Genetics
Type 2 diabetes is more common in non-gestational diabetics, and mostly in adults, though it is more increasingly observed in young people. In this type, the body becomes resistant to insulin or fails to produce sufficient insulin.
Is Type 2 Diabetes Genetic?
The answer is yes, Type 2 diabetes is familial and more genetic than Type 1.
Type 2 diabetes has been associated with many genes. There are genes that will influence the production of insulin by your body as well as genes that will influence the reaction of insulin in your body. These are some examples:
- TCF7L2: This is one of the genes that are most researched in regard to Type 2 diabetes.
- FTO: An obesity-associated gene, which is one of the important risk factors of diabetes.
- PPARG: Assists in the control of fat storage and glucose.
Possessing one or more of such gene variations makes you susceptible to getting diabetes, but that does not imply that you will undoubtedly develop diabetes.
Lifestyle Still Matters
Although you may be predisposed to a more substantial risk, the way you live makes a significant difference.
- Even though your genes may have only predisposed you to it, you may become diabetic by eating the wrong kind of food, leading a sedentary lifestyle, putting on weight, or when you are under stress.
- Conversely, good lifestyles (such as eating healthy, physical activities, and good body mass) can prevent or postpone the occurrence of Type 2 diabetes despite the family history.
Gestational Diabetes and Genetics
Gestational diabetes can develop in the course of pregnancy and often disappears after childbirth. It may however put the mother and the child at risk of getting Type 2 diabetes later in life.
Is There a Genetic Link?
Yes. Women who have a history of diabetes in their family are prone to develop gestational diabetes. This indicates the possibility of genes that are concerned with insulin to be involved.
Can You Get Tested for Diabetes Genes?
Available genetic tests can discover some of the diabetes-related genes. They are employed in research or in some special cases, including:
Genetic tests to detect some diabetes-related genes exist. They are more usually applied in research or in unusual circumstances, as:
- In the case of doctors attempting to diagnose a rare form of diabetes such as MODY (Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young) that is a genetically programmed form of diabetes.
- In young children when they become diabetic at a very early age.
In the majority of individuals, there is no need to undergo routine genetic testing. Rather, the doctor will consider your family history, lifestyle, and the level of sugar in the blood in order to compute the risk.
What to Do If Diabetes Runs in Your Family
When one of your family members is diabetic, you are likely to question whether you have a risk of developing it. You can not change your genes, but you are able to manage the environment and lifestyle.
The following are some of the steps that you can take:
- Know your family history
Ask your family members about whether someone has Type 1, Type 2 or gestational diabetes.
- Get regular check ups
Monitor your blood sugar in case you are at risk..
- Stay active
Physical activity makes your body respond better to insulin.
- Eat a balanced diet
Eat more whole grains, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fat.
- Maintain a healthy weight
Your risk can be reduced by even a few pounds of weight loss.
- Don’t smoke and manage stress
These practices make you safer at large regarding health.
Learn more from our informative video, Is Diabetes Genetic?
Conclusion
Your genes can predispose you to developing diabetes, but they will not seal your fate in concrete.
In the case of Type 1 diabetes, there is a significant input of genes, although the definite cause is frequently a combination of genes and unidentified environmental factors.
In the case of Type 2 diabetes, genes may only increase your risk but your lifestyle has a massive influence on whether you get the disease or not.
No matter what your DNA may indicate, by learning about your family background and leading a healthy lifestyle, you can become the captain of your health.
This article is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional and personalized medical advice. Always seek diagnosis and treatment from a qualified healthcare provider, which is specific to your own case.
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To learn more about Diabetes, check out our other related blogs:
Types of Diabetes : Identification, Causes and More
Diabetes – symptoms and causes
Can children develop Diabetes?
What are the different types of Diabetes?
