395 | id == 395
395 | category_id == 25
395 | category_order == 22
395 | category_name == Blood Sugar
395 | category_color == #C47AC0
395 | slug == FTO-blood-sugar
395 | title == The Obesity Gene's Link to Blood Sugar (FTO)
395 | meta_description == The FTO gene, well-known for its role in body weight control, is active in the liver and affects blood sugar metabolism.
395 | summary == <p><strong>The <em>FTO </em>gene, well-known for its role in body weight control, is active in the liver and affects blood sugar metabolism. Read on to learn how.</strong></p>
395 | overall_score_text == Your overall score
395 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/FTO-Blood-Sugar-Diabetes.jpg
395 | author_id == 1
395 | author_name == Jasmine Foster
395 | author_title == BSc, BEd
395 | author_order == 36
395 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Jasmine.jpg
395 | author_intro == <p><strong>Jasmine received her BS from McGill University and her BEd from Vancouver Island University.</strong></p>    <p>Jasmine loves helping people understand their brains and bodies, a passion that grew out of her dual background in biology and education. From the chem lab to the classroom, everyone has the right to learn and make informed decisions about their health.</p>
395 | reviewer == None
395 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
395 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
395 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
395 | publish_date == 2020
395 | publish_date == 10
395 | publish_date == 9
395 | avg_rating == 5.0
395 | tags_id == 801
395 | tags_name == Blood Sugar
395 | tags_id == 127
395 | tags_name == Diabetes Type 2
395 | tags_id == 570
395 | tags_name == Fat Metabolism
395 | tags_id == 199
395 | tags_name == FTO Gene
395 | tags_id == 139
395 | tags_name == Insulin
395 | tags_id == 116
395 | tags_name == Insulin Resistance
395 | tags_id == 142
395 | tags_name == Liver
395 | tags_id == 141
395 | tags_name == Metabolic Health
395 | permissions_favorite == False
395 | permissions_rate == False
395 | content_article == <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Summary</span></h2> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FTO</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a very well-known fat mass and obesity-associated gene. Variants of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FTO</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> may play a role in blood sugar by altering the liver&rsquo;s sugar metabolism pathways. Diet and supplement modifications may counteract the effects of these variants by normalizing these processes in the liver.</span></p> <h2><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FTO</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and Blood Sugar</span></h2> <p><a href="https://selfdecode.com/gene/fto/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">FTO</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is one of the best-studied genes when it comes to body weight and obesity, hence the name: fat mass and obesity-associated gene. It&rsquo;s the first discovered </span><a href="https://selfdecode.com/blog/article/article/weight-loss-fto-65"><span style="font-weight: 400;">genetic link to obesity</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and continues to be the gene with the largest known effect on body weight to this day [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4188449/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5569318/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5994171/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A lot is still unclear about FTO functions, but studies suggest this gene works as a &ldquo;master switch&rdquo; that controls a variety of other weight-associated genes and pathways in our bodies [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5580219/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30896430"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In addition to its potential influence on appetite and hunger control, this gene may also affect our metabolism. Multiple </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FTO </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">variants have been linked with </span><a href="https://www.selfhacked.com/blog/top-tips-for-fixing-insulin-resistance/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">insulin resistance</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and diabetes [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30054458/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6570836/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30273662"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5944237/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3292341/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Three variants have also specifically been linked to blood sugar and blood insulin levels. The </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FTO</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene is active in the liver, where researchers believe that it regulates both fat and sugar metabolism [</span><a href="https://europepmc.org/abstract/med/20081858"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6266206/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FTO</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, or fat mass and obesity-associated gene, appears to alter both fat and sugar metabolism in the liver, giving it a clear link to blood sugar and insulin resistance.</span></span></p> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Your </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FTO</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Results for Blood Sugar</span></h2> <p>*8945779844577073*</p> <p><strong>FTO </strong><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs1421085/"><strong>rs1421085</strong></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30054458/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = Not associated with abnormal blood sugar</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = Associated with relatively increased blood sugar</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The &lsquo;C&rsquo; allele may lead to disrupted fat and sugar metabolism in the liver [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30054458/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6266206/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> </ul> <p><strong>FTO </strong><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs7185735/"><strong>rs7185735</strong></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">[</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30054458/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; = Not associated with abnormal blood sugar</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; = Associated with increased blood sugar</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The &lsquo;G&rsquo; allele may lead to disrupted fat and sugar metabolism in the liver [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30054458/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6266206/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> </ul> <p><strong>FTO </strong><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs9939609/"><strong>rs9939609</strong></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">[</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30273662"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = Not associated with abnormal blood sugar</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; = Associated with relatively increased blood sugar</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">The &lsquo;A&rsquo; allele may lead to disrupted fat and sugar metabolism in the liver [<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30273662"><span>R</span></a><span>, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6266206/"><span>R</span></a><span>]</span></li> </ul> <p>*2270180827507083*</p> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Recommendations for Controlling Blood Sugar</span></h2> <p>*8995660828844199*</p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Exercise</span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A huge meta-analysis analyzed the data from over 200,000 adults to determine if </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/top-14-proven-health-benefits-exercise-references-mechanisms/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">physical activity</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> influences the </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FTO</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene. According to their results, physically active people with the &lsquo;A&rsquo; allele at rs9939609 had a 27% lower chance of becoming obese, suggesting a strong interaction between exercise and this gene [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3206047/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/top-14-proven-health-benefits-exercise-references-mechanisms/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Physical activity</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a great way to manage blood glucose levels, being its effectiveness higher with increased intensity and duration. Muscle activity burns glucose for energy and makes cells more sensitive to insulin [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3781559/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3587394/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26853238/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5510106/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30553010/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Exercise is a great way to manage blood sugar levels and is especially beneficial for people with detrimental </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FTO</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> variants.</span></span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Avoiding High-Glycemic Index Foods</span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Researchers believe that </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FTO</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> closely interacts with insulin metabolism in the liver. People with detrimental </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FTO</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> variants may have more difficulty regulating changes in blood sugar as a result of eating foods rich in sugar or simple starches [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6266206/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many studies have found that eating foods with a high glycemic index&mdash;that is, foods that require a large amount of insulin in order to control blood sugar after their consumption&mdash;is a risk factor for poor blood sugar control and diabetes [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16306541/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19079907/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15920058/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27472929/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31338545/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For better blood sugar control, choose foods with a low glycemic index. These are typically foods rich in complex carbohydrates. For example, brown rice lowered blood sugar in a study of Japanese patients with diabetes [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5518808/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">People with detrimental </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FTO</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> variants may have more difficulty regulating their blood sugar after eating foods rich in sugar or simple starches.</span></span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Green Tea/EGCG</span></h3> <p><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/green-tea/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Green tea</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial compounds such as flavonoids and tannins [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16232822/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7868837/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Exposing fatty tissue-producing cells to EGCG, the main active compound of green tea, reduced the expression of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FTO</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in those cells [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29795461/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Green tea extract has also repeatedly been found to decrease blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22749178/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3832448/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3948786/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25230741/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29415825/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Green tea&rsquo;s active compound EGCG reduces the expression of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FTO</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in fat cells and has been found to help control blood sugar.</span></span></p>
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395 | content_learn_more_2270180827507083_key == 2270180827507083
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395 | content_learn_more_2270180827507083_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your FTO gene is somewhat associated with high blood sugar. However, this doesn't necessarily reflect your overall risk of diabetes; it’s just one gene related to it. Exercise, avoiding sugary or starchy foods, and drinking green tea may help. Keep scrolling to find out more.
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395 | content_recommendation_8995660828844199_blur == True
395 | content_recommendation_8995660828844199_hidden == False
rsIDs = rs1421085,rs7185735,rs9939609
rsStatus = rs1421085,FTO,chr16,53767042,T,C,,,42,0,Normal
rsStatus = rs7185735,FTO,chr16,53788739,A,G,T,,22,0,Normal
rsStatus = rs9939609,FTO,chr16,53786615,T,A,,,28,0,Normal
