Disruption in the epigenetic mechanisms that control the activity of different genes was found to lead to diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity.
In the past decade, knowledge of how lifestyle affects our genes, a research field called epigenetics, has grown exponentially. Researchers at Lund University have summarised the state of scientific knowledge within epigenetics linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes in a review article published in the scientific journal Cell Metabolism.
Epigenetics
In the recent years 'epigenetics' represents inheritable changes in gene expression that do not include DNA alterations.
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‘Epigenetic mechanisms play an important role in disease development. ’
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This review summarises the role of epigenetic changes in different human tissues of relevance for metabolism, for example, in adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, pancreatic islets (which, among other things, contain the insulin-producing cells), liver and blood, linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes.
"Similarly, the epigenetic patterns are affected by disease. Variations in genetic material (DNA), age, exercise and diet also have an impact on epigenetic variation", says Charlotte Ling, professor and pioneer in the field of epigenetics and diabetes who authored the review together with researcher Tina Rönn.
![Quiz on Obesity]( "Quiz on Obesity")
"We are indeed much more than what we eat, but what we eat can nevertheless help us to be much more than what we are". - Adelle Davis There are thousands out there battling 'the bulge'. With childhood obesity on the rise even children are not spared. If your weight issues are threatening to weigh you down learn more about obesity by taking part in this quiz.
The researchers detail the latest findings in epigenetics in the following categories: The significance of diet
Physical activity
Aging
The significance of genes
Is the epigenome heritable?
How can epigenetics contribute to novel treatments?
Source: Eurekalert
Quiz on Obesity
"We are indeed much more than what we eat, but what we eat can nevertheless help us to be much more than what we are". - Adelle Davis There are thousands out there battling 'the bulge'. With childhood obesity on the rise even children are not spared. If your weight issues are threatening to weigh you down learn more about obesity by taking part in this quiz.
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The researchers detail the latest findings in epigenetics in the following categories: The significance of diet
Physical activity
Aging
The significance of genes
Is the epigenome heritable?
How can epigenetics contribute to novel treatments?
Source: Eurekalert
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