The Genetics Of Diabetes

The genetics of diabetes is addressed in this part of My Journey With Diabetes. It is here that I take a look at some of evidence presented relative to this important but often misunderstood topic.

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The genetics of diabetes is an area of study that seem to be, shall we say particularly challenging to geneticists because of the many factors contributing to its complexity. It seems there is much to learn about the DNA of genetics.

In researching this subject one thing has become clear to me. That is the genetics of diabetes is not very conclusive. We will cover some related epidemiology and other general genetic information in this blog without boring you with too many details. As an example;

Over 90% of diabetics are type 2.  Most researchers agree that African Americans are usually more genetically disposed to type 2 diabetes, and the statistics support that. Why is that so? If I were to guess, I would say it is tied into diet. Or perhaps more accurately, eating an unhealthy diet.

Are We Victims 0f Our Genes?

We have all heard the comment “It’s in my genes,” almost as though we are in a no win situation. Many of us feel as though we are doomed to certain conditions or diseases because of our genetic propensity? Are we victims of our genetic makeup? Do we have no control over our own health? What are the genetics of diabetes?

These are are very relevant questions that need answers. I encourage you to see the following video by Dr Barry Ramo M.D. I’ll follow-up with some comments of my own.

Dr Ramo is echoing some similar comments to mine that I made in a recent article entitled : “Diabetes and Genetics – Are We Doomed To Get IT?” In this article I pointed out the fact that most researchers seem to believe that genetics are responsible for a minimum 20% predisposition of an offspring also getting diabetes type 2 when one parent is a diabetic. That chance is increased to 50% when both parents are diabetic.

What Can We Do?

The percentages mentioned above leave a glaring question. What about the other 80 and 50%? This is where personal responsibility come in. So many times I have been known to say that we have to take charge of our own health. Personal responsibility and self education. Personal responsibility finds expression in self education, and self education is put into action by applying the knowledge learned. There is absolutely no substitute for those two attributes, especially as it relates to the western diet. Faced with the choice of throwing up your hands and saying, “It’s in my genes,” or taking personal responsibility, which will you choose? That is a decision we all face.

A Cure Cure Linked To Our Genes?

Dr Aaron Vinik of Eastern Medical School has been working for the past two years on what appears to be a promising cure based on the genetics of diabetes. Learn more in the following video.
(If his efforts were to prove successful, do you think it would be made available to the general public? Please let me know in your comments)

As a follow-up to this post I contacted Dr Viniks office today and learned that the results have been less than expected up this point.  Studies are continuing with another researcher.

A Time For Action

For me, being diagnosed with diabetes type 2 was the catalyst that I needed to take charge of my health. My dad died from complications related to diabetes and my only regret is that I did not take charge of my health before it became an issue. I encourage you to do the same. What will it take to motivate you?

I’ve seen too many people who have never become motivated, and continue to eat the same foods, do the same things they did before being diagnosed and depend entirely on medications until they eventually succumb to the complications of diabetes.

Every journey begins with the first step. My first step was to lose thirty five pounds by cutting out carbohydrates. I know that sounds drastic but I did that for a limited period of time (about two months), with a specific goal in mind. After I dropped the pounds then I began eating controlled amounts of complex carbs, at least when I stuck to my plan. Of course almost every food has some carbohydrates in it so it’s almost impossible to cut out carbs altogether. Neither do you want to since our bodies need carb to burn for energy. In fact our brain need more carbs than probably any other organ. Anyway, my point is we all have to start somewhere. Where will you start. What will your first step be? None of us can alter the genetics of our DNA. Neither should we point the finger at our parents. We have to take charge of our own health. No one can do that for us

Of course, prevention is always preferable, but even if you already have diabetes type 2 there is much you can do to control and even reverse it through diet,  exercise, lifestyle modification, and natural interventions.

Wishing you good health,
Patrick