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A groundbreaking study by the University of Eastern Finland has shown that adopting a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, even among individuals with a high genetic predisposition to the disease. This research underscores the universal benefits of health-promoting behaviors, regardless of genetic risk.
Type 2 diabetes continues to be a global health crisis, affecting approximately one in eleven adults worldwide, with the vast majority being type 2 diabetes cases, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Despite the identification of over 500 genetic variants linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, lifestyle factors play a crucial role in the disease’s onset and progression.
The T2D-GENE Trial, conducted over three years, involved nearly 1,000 men aged 50 to 75 from eastern Finland. All participants had elevated fasting glucose levels at the study’s outset. The trial was designed to assess whether lifestyle changes could prevent type 2 diabetes in individuals at varying genetic risk levels.
Participants were divided into two groups: a lifestyle intervention group and a control group. The intervention group, comprising over 600 men, received guidance on improving their diet and exercise habits through group meetings and a dedicated web portal. The control group did not receive this targeted support. Genetic risk was assessed based on 76 known gene variants associated with type 2 diabetes.
Results from the T2D-GENE Trial were promising. Men in the intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in diet quality, including increased dietary fiber intake and a greater consumption of fruits, vegetables, and berries. They also showed weight loss, although weight reduction was not the primary goal of the study. Importantly, glucose metabolism deterioration was less pronounced in the intervention group compared to the control group, leading to a notably lower prevalence of type 2 diabetes among those who received lifestyle interventions.
“These findings are a testament to the power of healthy lifestyle choices,” said Docent Maria Lankinen, the lead author of the study. “They provide strong evidence that health-promoting behaviors can mitigate genetic risks, making lifestyle interventions a valuable tool in diabetes prevention.”
The study highlights the effectiveness of both group-based and internet-supported lifestyle guidance, which can potentially reduce healthcare costs by promoting preventive health measures.
The research, titled “Effects of Genetic Risk on Incident Type 2 Diabetes and Glycemia: The T2D-GENE Lifestyle Intervention Trial,” was published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism on June 18, 2024. For further reading, the study can be accessed through DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgae422.
This study not only emphasizes the critical role of lifestyle changes in preventing type 2 diabetes but also provides a hopeful message that positive health behaviors can counteract even significant genetic risks.
