Comments by J. C. Spencer
Sugar craving for harmful sugars (your sweet tooth) can lead to obesity, diabetes, poor health, and a shorter life span. The "healthy sugar" trehalose is known to help reduce the sugar addiction in some people. Does trehalose alter certain related gene expressions? I believe it does and a new study at the University of Toronto sheds new light on the subject. Senior researcher Ahmed El-Sohemy, of the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, said in a prepared statement. “We have found that a variation in the GLUT2 gene is associated with a higher intake of sugars among different populations.”
So, for the first time, to my knowledge, we have learned that a gene, the GLUT2 gene, is associated with "unhealthy sugar" addiction. Connecting the dots may prove that trehalose has an impact on this gene expression to reduce the craving for "unhealthy sugary foods".
The impact of this work could result in helping reduce diabetes and obesity while improving health and lengthening the life span for many humans. It is obvious that more research is needed and this gives us a clear pin point target on which to focus.
Now, here is the NEWS of the week about your sweet tooth and gene expression.
Genetic Variation May Explain Preferences for Sugar
FRIDAY, May 23 (HealthDay News) — A new study says you might be
able to blame your sweet tooth on your genes.
Having a specific variation in the GLUT2 gene — which controls the
entry of sugar into the cells — may explain why some people crave sugary
foods far more than others, according to the online edition of
Physiological Genomics.
Researchers analyzing blood samples and food and beverage preferences
of two distinct groups — older adults who were either overweight or obese
and generally healthy young adults who were mostly lean — found that
those with the GLUT2 variation in either group consumed more sugars than
those without the variation.
“These findings may help explain some of the individual variations in
people's preference for sugary foods. It's especially important given the
soaring rates of obesity and diabetes throughout much of the world,” study
senior researcher Ahmed El-Sohemy, of the Department of Nutritional
Sciences at the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, said in a prepared
statement. “We have found that a variation in the GLUT2 gene is
associated with a higher intake of sugars among different populations.”
