Diabetes is one of the fastest growing diseases in the 21st century, affecting 422 million people worldwide. Type 2 diabetes is generally associated with an unhealthy lifestyle and extra body weight, but genetic variations can also increase your risk, regardless of your lifestyle. Knowledge of genetic variants that increase your risk of type 2 diabetes allows you to make lifestyle changes today to improve your metabolic health and reduce your risk of this debilitating condition.

What is type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder that disrupts the body’s normal glucose and insulin balance. Glucose is a simple sugar that circulates in the blood and is the primary source of energy for the body’s cells, while insulin is a hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas and helps to keep glucose levels within a healthy range. Affected individuals have consistently high blood sugar, insulin resistance and a relative lack of insulin. Type 2 diabetes can contribute to life-threatening disorders, including heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and poor blood flow.

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes

Genetic variation

Obesity, leading to insulin resistance

Fat accumulation, primarily in the abdomen

Lack of physical exercise

Ethnicity (Africans and American Indians have a higher risk)

Prediabetes (elevated blood sugar)

Gestational diabetes

Polycystic ovarian syndrome

Genetics of type 2 diabetes

Genetic variations can affect our glucose and insulin levels, sensitivity to dietary fatty acids, and the way our body responds to insulin, resulting in increased risk of type 2 diabetes. The following table lists the genes analyzed in the type 2 diabetes test, and the effect of variation on metabolic health.

Gene(s) Tested

Effect

ACC2

Reduced response to insulin

ADCY5

Inhibited secretion of insulin

FABP2, FTO

Increased uptake of saturated fats

ADIPOQ, CRY2, FADS1, G6PC2, GLUT2, MTNR1B, PROX1, TCF7L2

Increased fasting glucose levels

GCKR

Reduced fasting glucose levels

GCK, HNF4A

Reduced pancreatic beta cell function

GLIS3, IRS1, SLC30A8

Disrupted insulin production/signalling/storage

SHBG

Increased sex hormone binding globulin

MADD

Impaired proinsulin-to-insulin conversion

SOD2

Increased reactive oxygen species

HIF1A

Resistance to hypoxia

Three Easy Steps

Step 1: Order test kit online

Step 2: Collect DNA sample using a painless mouth swab, and mail to the lab in the provided return envelope