At 40 million, number of diabetics in the world. Doctors warn that the disease could assume epidemic proportions if we don’t watch out now. Last month we brought you diabetes basics and the breakthroughs. This month we focus on the genetic load.

Question: How important is the genetic factor in diabetes?

Answers: Both environmental and genetic factors play a role. Type 1 diabetes is more associated with genes which control an individual’s immune system. Type 2 diabetes is a polygenic disorder.

While the role of several genes in causing diabetes is currently being studied the present understanding is that environmental factors are more important than genes. One reason to believe this is because genetic evolution takes thousands of years, but the prevalence of diabetes has increased several folds in a few decades.

Question: If my parents are diabetic, what are my chances of getting the disease?

Answer: Offspring of type 1 diabetics have a 4 to 20 fold higher risk of developing type 1diabetes than children of non-diabetic parents. Children born to parents with type 2 diabetes also have a higher risk. If one parent has type 2 diabetes the likelihood is 2 to 2.5 times more than normal people; with both parents being diabetic the risk gets compounded (approx 3 to 4 times higher).

Question: Who is more likely to pass it on to the offspring – the father or the mother? Are sons and daughters equally susceptible?

Answer: Children of fathers with type 1 diabetes have a greater risk than children of mothers with the disease. There is, however, no difference in the vulnerability of sons and daughters. But in type 2 diabetes, the risk does not vary depending on whether the father or mother has diabetes.

Question: What precautions should I take if I have a family history of diabetes?

Answer: With a history of type 2 diabetes in your family you need to make active and early lifestyle changes. Two most important causes for diabetes are obesity and physical inactivity. A healthy Body Mass Index (BMI), regular physical exercise and eating right is the mantra for preventing diabetes not just for those with a family history, but everyone. Healthy eating habits mean controlling the total food intake as also focusing on the quality of food.

Diet—high-fiber cereals, plenty of fresh vegetables, pulses and limited fats—is recommended. Large meals or long intervals between meals are not desirable. Frequent, small meals are better. Avoid refined cereals, sugar, sweet beverages, excess fat and junk food. They provide empty calories and lead to obesity.

Question: What sort of exercises should I do?

Answer: You don’t need to join a fancy gym or fitness centre or even buy expensive sports accessories. A 45-minute brisk walk provides enough aerobic exercise to lose and maintain weight. Studies show that people with sedentary lifestyles have the highest chance of developing type 2diabetes. Watch out for the symptoms: Frequent urination, constant thirst, increased hunger, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, sores that do not heal, tingling and numbness of feet.

Question: When should one start getting oneself screened for diabetes if there’s a family history? What are the tests one should take?

Answer: Since women have the additional risk of gestational diabetes it is advisable that they get themselves screened as soon as they conceive. A negative result early on does not rule out diabetes later in the pregnancy. Even those who have not had gestational diabetes should start getting themselves screened every 2-3 years from the age of 35. The same applies to men. However, if one detects any symptom of diabetes, one should go in for a glucose tolerance test where the sugar level in the blood is measured after eight hours of fasting and two hours after taking 75 grams of glucose. The normal range for the former is 60-100 and the latter 90-140 mg/dl. Nursing for better glucose levels

Breastfeeding can reduce a woman’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a study in the Journal of American Medical Association. Researchers studied 1, 57,003 women and found that breastfeeding for at least a year reduced a woman’s risk of developing the disease by as much as 15 %.


In Development: New types of oral medication to help prevent, slow, or stop diabetes or ease potential side effects. Here are some breakthrough drugs and treatments that should be available in the next few years.

‘Switch Off’ Blood Sugar Experts are working on a drug that inhibits a protein called PGC-1, thereby helping ‘turn off’ the production of blood sugar in the liver. Lessen the need for insulin a bioengineer protein called Diapep277 is designed to stop the body’s immune system from attacking insulin-producing beta cells. This could reduce the need for type 1 diabetics to inject and could benefit people with type 2 diabetes—or even prevent the condition entirely.

Control blood sugar in the digestive system taking a new drug at mealtime may enhance a digestive hormone called GLP-1, which stimulate insulin production.

Does diabetes cause cancer?

A growing stack of research confirms a chilling link: People with type 2 diabetes are at slightly higher risk of a variety of cancers, including breast and uterine. The good news: Diabetics who keep their blood sugar in check can sidestep the added cancer danger.

Needle-free Insulin

Researchers and pharmaceutical companies are studying a variety of needle-free alternatives for administering insulin. Among them are these options:

• An oral insulin spray Absorbed into the bloodstream from the mouth

• Inhaled insulin Administered in a device similar to an asthma inhaler.

• Skin patches Resembles those now used for some forms of heart medication and birth control.

Diet and Recipes

Eat smart to control diabetes Diet is at the heart of any diabetes management program. Eating right helps keep the blood sugar level under control. But that doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself of these sweet temptations. Go ahead, indulge! These yummy treats won’t weigh you down.

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