Gene Discovery May Dramatically Help Diabetes And Pancreatic Disorders, Experts Say
Gene Discovery May Dramatically Help Diabetes And Pancreatic Disorders, Experts Say
PA/The Huffington Post UK
Scientists say they have made a breakthrough on possible treatments for diabetes and pancreatic problems.
Researchers at the University of Exeter Medical School and Imperial College London used new technology to analyse genomes - containing hereditary information - to find the cause of some diseases.
They found that pancreatic agenesis - which results in babies being born without a pancreas, leaving them with a lifetime of diabetes and problems digesting food - is most commonly caused by mutations in a newly identified part of the genome.
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The team discovered that the condition is caused by mutations in genomic "dark matter" - the vast stretches of DNA that do not contain genes that accounts for 99% of the human genome.
Dr Mike Weedon, lead researcher and senior lecturer at the University of Exeter Medical School, said: "This breakthrough delves into the 'dark matter' of the genome, which until recently, was very difficult to systematically study.
"Now, advances in DNA sequencing technology mean we have the tools to explore these non-protein coding regions far more thoroughly, and we are finding it has a significant impact on development and disease."
The pancreas plays an essential role in regulating levels of sugar in the blood by releasing insulin, which is generated and released by cells known as pancreatic beta cells.
Story continues below the slideshow:
Five Things You Should Never Eat (And What To Eat Instead)
Do Not Eat: Fried Food(01 of10)
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Fried food is loaded with fat and calories while offering zero nutritional value. It's a lose-lose! Sure, fries and chips TASTE good, but healthier items also taste good. Just say no to the deep fried items on your menu. You'll be thinner, healthier and won't have greasy fingers. (credit:Getty)
Try This Instead: Broiled(02 of10)
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If you simply must have a French fry, then make them at home in your oven. Use sweet potatoes, as these are a more complex carbohydrate. Cut into matchsticks, drizzle with a tablespoon of olive oil along with a dash of salt, then place in your oven on broil. Turn every five minutes until the fries are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. (credit:Alamy)
Do Not Eat: White Bread(03 of10)
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White bread products have minimal nutritional value and are quickly converted by your body into sugar. So you may as well eat a cupcake. Even breads that are technically wheat, but are as soft and smooth as white bread, should be avoided. Don't be afraid to discard the bread from your sandwich or to push away that bread basket. Your waist will shrink and you'll lose that bloated feeling that high carbohydrate meals give you. (credit:Alamy)
Try This Instead: Sprouted Grain Bread(04 of10)
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If you must have bread, then stick with sprouted. Sprouted grain bread is a lot easier on your digestion and is packed full of nutrients. Two delicious brands are Food For Life's Ezekiel bread, and Manna Organics. Sprouted grain breads are often kept in the freezer section since they don't contain preservatives to prolong shelf life. (credit:courtesy Food for Life)
Do Not Eat: Creamy Salad Dressing(05 of10)
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You were so good to order a salad, but then canceled out the low-cal benefits by drenching the salad in fattening creamy dressing. Just a few tablespoons of creamy dressing contain more than 20 grams of fat and hundreds of calories. (credit:Alamy)
Try This Instead: Vinegar Dressing(06 of10)
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Vinegar-based dressings pack amazing flavor in with minimal fat and calories. You can even mix your own dressing at home. Take high quality vinegar, fresh lemon juice, salt and pepper, your choice of dried herbs, and a bit of olive oil. (credit:Alamy)
Do Not Eat: White Rice(07 of10)
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Just like white bread, white rice has minimal nutritional value, and the glycemic load will quickly prime your body for storing fat. (credit:Alamy)
Try This Instead: Brown Rice(08 of10)
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Brown rice has three times the amount of fiber, more B vitamins as well as other nutrients and will keep you feeling fuller for longer. That should be enough to convince you to swap your large pile of white rice out for a small pile of brown rice. (credit:Alamy)
Do Not Eat: White Sugar(09 of10)
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Sugar and high fructose corn syrup are the epitome of anti-fitness food. Nothing will destroy your progress, expand your waist and plummet your energy levels like sugar. If you only take away one do-not-eat food from this slideshow, please let it be sugar. (credit:Alamy)
Try This Instead: Fruit(10 of10)
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Don't turn to artificial sweeteners to get your sweet fix, instead turn to nature's wholesome source of sugar: fruit. Eat organic fruit that is seasonal and locally grown. Stay away from dried fruit and fruit juices, as these are high in simple calories. (credit:Alamy)
Pancreatic agenesis means babies have diabetes from birth and problems with digesting food which prevents weight gain. The disease is rare, but its study also helps scientists gain a better understanding of how the pancreas works, which helps shed light on research into diabetes.
Professor Andrew Hattersley, a Wellcome Trust senior investigator who led the Exeter team, said: "This finding gives a deeper understanding to families affected by this disorder, and it also tells us more about how the pancreas develops.
"In the longer term, this insight could have implications for regenerative stem cell treatments for Type 1 diabetes."