The same gene may be linked to both Alzheimer's disease and type 2 diabetes
Excess body weight and a sedentary lifestyle are often associated with the development of type 2 diabetes.
However, recent research indicated that there may be a gene that can contribute to an individual's risk of being diagnosed with this condition as well as one other chronic disease.
A study conducted by researchers from Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that a gene called SorCS1 controlled the generation of amyloid-beta (Abeta) in the brain, a process that is responsible for the onset of Alzheimer's disease, and they hypthesize that it also contributes to insulin resistance.
"The great thing about studying SorCS1 is that we already have entirely new ideas about how to treat both Alzheimer's disease and type 2 diabetes. Our hunch is that SorCS1 also controls how the insulin receptor moves around the cell, but we have not yet proven that," said researcher Sam Gandy, MD.
While there may not be anything that Alzheimer's patients can do to avoid disease progression, individuals with type 2 diabetes who shed pounds and follow a strict diabetes management program may be able to stop taking diabetes medications and inhibit the development of health complications related to the condition.
The National Center for Biotechnology Information explains that a diabetic diet should primarily consist of grains, beans and starchy vegetables. Six servings of these foods can be eaten each day, in addition to five portions of vegetables and three of meat or fish.
Avoiding sugary foods or those that are high in saturated fats is key to lowering blood glucose levels.
Since the National Institutes of Health states that diabetics who lose as little as 5 percent of their body weight may be able to improve their insulin sensitivity, individuals with type 2 diabetes often add regular physical activity to their diabetes management programs to boost their weight loss results.
However, recent research indicated that there may be a gene that can contribute to an individual's risk of being diagnosed with this condition as well as one other chronic disease.
A study conducted by researchers from Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that a gene called SorCS1 controlled the generation of amyloid-beta (Abeta) in the brain, a process that is responsible for the onset of Alzheimer's disease, and they hypthesize that it also contributes to insulin resistance.
"The great thing about studying SorCS1 is that we already have entirely new ideas about how to treat both Alzheimer's disease and type 2 diabetes. Our hunch is that SorCS1 also controls how the insulin receptor moves around the cell, but we have not yet proven that," said researcher Sam Gandy, MD.
While there may not be anything that Alzheimer's patients can do to avoid disease progression, individuals with type 2 diabetes who shed pounds and follow a strict diabetes management program may be able to stop taking diabetes medications and inhibit the development of health complications related to the condition.
The National Center for Biotechnology Information explains that a diabetic diet should primarily consist of grains, beans and starchy vegetables. Six servings of these foods can be eaten each day, in addition to five portions of vegetables and three of meat or fish.
Avoiding sugary foods or those that are high in saturated fats is key to lowering blood glucose levels.
Since the National Institutes of Health states that diabetics who lose as little as 5 percent of their body weight may be able to improve their insulin sensitivity, individuals with type 2 diabetes often add regular physical activity to their diabetes management programs to boost their weight loss results.
First published on: July 21, 2011
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