Diabetes: A Genomic Medicine Approach

Diabetes is a huge health concern. In addition to increase risk for many other serious health issues, it increases the risk of death from heart disease up to 400%.

It also a big use of resources. Diabetics are responsible for more than 20% of health care costs, and that’s not including the costs to people who have diabetes and their families in terms of out of pocket costs, lost time at work, disability or even death.

Without major improvements in prevention, as many as 1 in 3 adult Americans could have diabetes by 2050.

The conventional approach to prevention of diabetes has been to wait until a definitive diagnosis of diabetes can be made. The concept of intervening before that point, while familiar to functional and genomic medicine clinicians, is still not standard of care within the primary care practice.

But even to intervene earlier requires greater awareness. Most people with prediabetes do not even know it. And even if they are fortunate enough to have that information, often the only advice is to watch their diet, exercise more, and when they develop diabetes they can go on medication and get dietary counseling that is covered by insurance.

Greater interventions are not felt to be needed until a person actually has a diagnosis of diabetes. Unfortunately, this approach has greatly contributed to the current epidemic.

Genomic Medicine takes a different approach

Diabetes relates to how the body processes and metabolizes glucose – or sugar. If diet and lifestyle don’t match an individual’s genes, the body may be more challenged in maintaining a healthy blood glucose level. Genes regulate insulin production and secretion, absorption and transport of glucose into cells, and utilization of glucose to make energy.

And it’s even more complex than that. Glucose biochemistry is part of a larger system of energy production and storage, interwoven with fat metabolism, nutrient cofactors, along with other stresses that get put on these systems. And genes run all of these systems.

Having multiple SNPs in one or more of these pathways can greatly increase the risk of diabetes.

But it’s not a foregone conclusion.

How you support a person’s genes will make a big difference as to whether insulin resistance, prediabetes or diabetes ever manifest.

And to do that with precision, you need a comprehensive genomic map – the Ultimate Wellness report.

Each person’s gene SNPs can give insights into predisposition for diabetes, and how to use DNA-directed diet and lifestyle strategies to minimize the chances of developing it in the future.

Even if a person already has been diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes, a personalized genomic map can also help you personalize a plan to manage or reverse metabolic changes.

Using the GENESIS Matrix® holistic clinical model will help you go beyond the DNA map to identify and create personalized strategies to address emotional and social issues, belief systems and other factors that may also be contributing to diabetes.

Genomic Medicine gives you the tools and the power to make a difference.

Ready to get started? Apply for a professional account to offer this life-changing service in your practice.

Learn more about using genomics and the GENESIS Matrix® in our Genomic Medicine Certification Program.