408 | id == 408
408 | category_id == 25
408 | category_order == 22
408 | category_name == Blood Sugar
408 | category_color == #C47AC0
408 | slug == HLA-autoimmunity-diabetes
408 | title == How Autoimmunity Genes Influence Blood Sugar (HLA)
408 | meta_description == HLA genes play a central role in autoimmunity. Click to learn about their link with diabetes and blood sugar.
408 | summary == <p style="text-align:justify"><strong>According to the latest findings, autoimmunity can significantly impact blood sugar levels. Read this post to check your HLA variants and get gene-based tips to balance blood sugar.</strong></p>
408 | overall_score_text == Your Blood Sugar Score (based on HLA genes)
408 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/HLA-Blood-Sugar-Diabetes.jpg
408 | author_id == 9
408 | author_name == Aleksa Ristic
408 | author_title == MS (Pharmacy)
408 | author_order == 45
408 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Aleksa.jpg
408 | author_intro == <p><strong>Aleksa received his MS in Pharmacy from the University of Belgrade, his master thesis focusing on protein sources in plant-based diets.</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>    <p>Aleksa is passionate about herbal pharmacy, nutrition, and functional medicine. He found a way to merge his two biggest passions&mdash;writing and health&mdash;and use them for noble purposes. His mission is to bridge the gap between science and everyday life, helping readers improve their health and feel better.</p>
408 | reviewer == None
408 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
408 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
408 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
408 | publish_date == 2020
408 | publish_date == 10
408 | publish_date == 14
408 | avg_rating == 5.0
408 | tags_id == 33
408 | tags_name == Autoimmunity
408 | tags_id == 801
408 | tags_name == Blood Sugar
408 | tags_id == 81
408 | tags_name == Diabetes Type 1
408 | tags_id == 127
408 | tags_name == Diabetes Type 2
408 | tags_id == 72
408 | tags_name == HLA Genes
408 | tags_id == 24
408 | tags_name == Inflammation
408 | permissions_favorite == False
408 | permissions_rate == False
408 | content_article == <table style="height: 56px; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" border="1" cellpadding="10"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 100%; text-align: justify;"><strong>Note:</strong> The <em>HLA</em> genes are analyzed in our <strong><a href="https://get.selfdecode.com/gene-reports/inflammation/"><em>Inflammation</em></a><em> and <a href="https://get.selfdecode.com/guthealth/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gut Health</a> DNA Wellness Reports</em></strong>, along with many other genes. If you're looking for comprehensive genetic reports on inflammation and gut health, check them out!</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><strong>Summary</strong></h2> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><strong>The HLA system protects us from pathogens and other threats, but they also play a central role in autoimmunity.<br /><br /></strong><strong>HLA gene variants correlate with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, the primary causes of elevated blood sugar, likely due to autoimmunity and inflammation.<br /><br /></strong><strong>Follow our gene-based tips to counteract your gene variants and reduce blood sugar levels.</strong></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><strong>The HLA System in Blood Sugar Control</strong></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system comprises human genes encoding different proteins on </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/how-to-increase-and-decrease-white-blood-cells/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">white blood cells</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. HLA proteins or antigens help flag and remove external threats that may harm the body [</span><a href="https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/HLA-B"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gene variants and malfunctions in the HLA system play a role in various inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, including type 1 diabetes [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18437207/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3233362/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Surprisingly, scientists have also associated HLA variants with type 2 diabetes, the primary cause of elevated blood </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/glucose/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">glucose</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in adults. HLA-associated autoimmunity and inflammation may hinder </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/insulin-101/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">insulin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> secretion in adults, but the research is still inconclusive [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1464425/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6432927/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15643010/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14675393/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">HLA genes have been associated with countless other health conditions, including:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://selfdecode.com/blog/article/hla-drb1-thyroid-autoimmunity-92/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thyroid autoimmunity</span></a></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/ibd-ulcerative-colitis-crohn-genetics-lifestyle-stress-infections/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">IBD</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://selfdecode.com/blog/article/hla-dqa1-b1-gluten-celiac-disease-169/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Celiac disease</span></a></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://selfdecode.com/blog/article/hla-peanut-allergy-263/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Peanut allergy</span></a></li> </ul> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">HLA gene variants correlate with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, the primary causes of elevated blood sugar. HLA-associated autoimmunity and inflammation may hinder insulin secretion.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><strong>Your HLA Results for Blood Sugar Levels</strong></h2> <p>*9033630845431104*</p> <p><strong>Primary SNP:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://selfdecode.com/gene/hla-dob/"><strong><em>HLA-DOB</em></strong></a> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs2071479/"><strong>rs2071479</strong></a></span><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><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25826379/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25826379/"><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; - associated with higher blood sugar due to type 1 and type 2 diabetes</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; - not associated with blood sugar levels</span></li> </ul> <p><strong>Other Important SNPs:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://selfdecode.com/gene/hla-dqb1/"><strong><em>HLA-DQB1</em></strong></a> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs1063355/"><strong>rs1063355</strong></a></span><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;G&rsquo; - associated with higher blood sugar due to type 2 diabetes</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; - not associated with blood sugar levels</span></li> </ul> <p><a href="https://selfdecode.com/gene/hla-c/"><strong><em>HLA-C</em></strong></a> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs2844623/"><strong>rs2844623</strong></a></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30718926/"><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;C&rsquo; - associated with higher blood sugar due to type 2 diabetes</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; - not associated with blood sugar levels</span></li> </ul> <p>*4094747115813701*</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><strong>Recommendations to Reduce Blood Sugar Levels</strong></h2> <p>*1967565665646891*</p> <h3><strong>Lifestyle</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Get More Sunlight</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some research has suggested that UV light and </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/35proven-health-benefits-vitamin-d-part-1/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">vitamin D</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> have beneficial effects on autoimmunity by suppressing HLA molecules [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4603567/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3626364/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6047889/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16046118"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Moderate </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/avoiding-sun-will-kill-14-proven-science-based-health-benefits-sun/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">sun exposure</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is the best way to get natural UV light and vitamin D, helping reduce inflammation [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6566188/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20635942"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vitamin D deficiency has been associated 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;">, type 1 and 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6520736/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27089407/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24050711/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3631845/"><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;">Optimal sun exposure may reduce the impact of HLA variants on your blood sugar levels.</span></p> <h3><strong>Diet</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Foods Rich in Zinc</strong></h4> <p><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/literally-everything-wanted-know-zinc-backed-science/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Zinc</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> deficiency may contribute to inflammation by stimulating HLA antigens [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4425307/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Low blood zinc levels have been associated with diabetes and prediabetes, while higher dietary intake of this mineral may be protective [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3629219/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4015935/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4015935/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2660459/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Good dietary sources of zinc include red meat, seafood, dairy products, nuts, legumes, and whole grains [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11053529/"><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;">Dietary zinc may help balance blood sugar by targeting HLA variants.</span></p> <h3><strong>Supplements</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Zinc</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you can&rsquo;t get enough zinc from a balanced diet, consider taking a supplement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Several meta-analyses have found that zinc supplementation may reduce blood </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/glucose/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">glucose</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.selfhacked.com/blog/hba1c-what-is-it-and-why-is-it-important/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">HBA1c</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and insulin resistance in people with obesity, diabetes (type 1 and 2), and metabolic syndrome [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27587022/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23137858/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3407731/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h4><strong>Probiotics</strong></h4> <p><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/a1probiotics-good-bacteria/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Probiotics</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> have well-known beneficial effects on inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. In one clinical trial, probiotic supplementation reduced the activity of HLA genes [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6213508/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6181139/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Supplementation with probiotics</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">improved blood glucose control in people with or at risk of type 2 diabetes in multiple trials. Moreover, they lowered blood pressure, reduced </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/oxidative-stress-101/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">oxidative stress</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and improved blood lipids. Potentially beneficial strains include [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4926461/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26987497/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5491138/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27590729/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32787763/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5758152/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31691101/"><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;">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/l-acidophilus/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">L. acidophilus</span></em></a></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/l-casei/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">L. casei</span></em></a></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/l-rhamnosus/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">L. rhamnosus</span></em></a></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/b-breve/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">B. breve</span></em></a></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/b-longum/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">B. longum</span></em></a></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/b-animalis/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">B. animalis</span></em></a></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A meta-analysis of 11 studies found supplementation with </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lactobacillus </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">and </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bifidobacterium </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">probiotics to improve blood sugar control, lipid profiles, inflammation, and oxidative stress in pregnant women with gestational diabetes [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6748202/"><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;">Probiotic supplementation may counteract your gene variants and reduce blood sugar levels.</span></p>
408 | content_snp_table_9033630845431104_key == 9033630845431104
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408 | content_snp_table_9033630845431104_hidden == False
408 | content_learn_more_4094747115813701_key == 4094747115813701
408 | content_learn_more_4094747115813701_blur == True
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408 | content_learn_more_4094747115813701_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your HLA genes are associated with slightly higher blood sugar levels and diabetes rates. However, this doesn't necessarily reflect your overall risk of elevated blood sugar; it’s just one gene related to it. Get more sunlight and dietary zinc, and follow other gene-based tips to improve blood sugar control. Keep reading to learn more.
408 | content_recommendation_1967565665646891_key == 1967565665646891
408 | content_recommendation_1967565665646891_blur == True
408 | content_recommendation_1967565665646891_hidden == False
rsIDs = rs2071479,rs1063355,rs2844623
rsStatus = rs2071479,HLA-DOB,chr6,32813335,C,T,,,6,0,Normal
rsStatus = rs1063355,HLA-DQB1,chr6,32659937,T,C,G,,20,0,Normal
rsStatus = rs2844623,,chr6,31264766,C,T,,,14,0,Normal
