The gene KLF14 regulates body fat storage in women which can affect how susceptible a women is to type 2 diabetes. Most of the genes that are associated with type 2 diabetes relate to the pancreas, but, unlike these genes, the KLF14 gene relates to fat tissue. A particular version of this gene leads to storing more fat around the hips and causes women with larger hips to normally have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, people, in general, who have most of their weight stored at their midsection have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. The different variations of this particular gene may also be a factor in people's response to insulin. This gene, however, does not effect how heavy an individual might become, just where their body fat will be stored.
The original article explains the correlation between the KLF14 gene and the risk for type 2 diabetes. It is helpful to estimate risk of diabetes by just looking in a mirror. Although it is obviously better to eat clean and live a healthy lifestyle, an easy indicator of diabetes like placement of body fat is extra incentive not to grab for that extra slice of cake. Hopefully further research on this particular gene can lead to new treatments.
I enjoyed reading this post. Diabetes runs in my family, and I knew that I had to eat healthy in order to avoid it. I did not realize that my weight distribution played a role in any way. This was very informative.
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting research. I learned that the KLF14 gene does not relate to the pancreas but rather where fat is stored on the body. I never knew this would indicate type 2 diabetes susceptibility. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting learning that there is a difference between storing fat at your hips or at your midsection, where if you store most of your weight at your midsection you are at a higher risk for type 2 diabetes, where you are at a lower risk if it is at your hips. I never realized that there is a difference between those two locations, and it is helpful for my future in knowing the difference now.
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