Diet, DNA testing and Nutrigenomics for Type II Diabetes

Nutrigenomics is often used to help people suffering from an illness such as diabetes type 2. DNA testing for dieting and the field of nutrigenomics are two closely related fields but not quite the exact same thing. Whilst the former is simply a DNA test that is accessible to everyone and suitable for everyone, the latter is more about looking at specific hereditary or genetically linked diseases to see how the person in question would respond to certain foods.

A DNA diet test is a more generalized genetic analysis that can improve chances of successful weight loss by analyzing for the presence or absence of myriad different genes to help people discover which foods their body can metabolize efficiently and which ones will hamper their weight loss program. Both these fields essentially look at the diet-gene interaction but with nutrigenomics focusing on disease.

We are now brought up from the earliest stages in life, from when we are still young students, to be aware of the foods we eat; we are shown the food pyramid, told about calories and fat and the dangers of over eating or eating too many sweets. We are often also misguided by television; find ourselves undertaking diets which are essentially under nourishing our bodies (for example, diets that require eliminating carbohydrates or with strict boundaries which delineate what types of foods should be eaten at what times or on what days).

Nutrigenomics can help those people suffering from conditions such as diabetes mellitus, or type 2 diabetes, by providing them with a gene specific dietary regime, tailored not to the needs of all diabetics as we have, up until today known, but specifically created for the needs of the diabetes type 2 individual. The issue type two diabetes sufferers have is that they are unable to break down food particles such as lipids and carbohydrates as efficiently as someone who is not a diabetes type II sufferer. Yes, doctors suggest that diabetics be very vigilant for foods that are high in sugar and starchy foods – always read the labels and small print they typically suggest. Moreover, they further advise regular exercising. But did you know that these basic guidelines only work for around 20% of diabetics?

Based upon phenotype analysis, a nutrigenomics test can reveal your specific glucose tolerance and levels of insulin and look at special biomarkers which will provide a clear picture of your disease susceptibility. Some other interesting research has found that gut microbes happily residing in our insides could be actually be accomplices via the role they play in increasing fat reserves and building insulin resistance.

Some medical drugs prescribed for diabetes could actually be avoided by the individual by taking eating certain foods; these foods will have the same positive effects as the drug but will not have the unpleasant side effects. Unfortunately, the multiple genes associated with type II make is difficult for nutrigenomics to give a 100% accurate insight to the disease; moreover, the complex interplay of these and the environment is also a challenge.

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