411 | id == 411
411 | category_id == 25
411 | category_order == 22
411 | category_name == Blood Sugar
411 | category_color == #C47AC0
411 | slug == GCKR-blood-sugar
411 | title == The Influence of a Blood Sugar-Regulating Protein (GCKR)
411 | meta_description == GCKR can regulate blood sugar levels. Variants of GCKR have been associated with elevated blood sugar. Read more here.
411 | summary == <p style="text-align:justify"><strong>The <em>GCKR </em>gene codes for a protein that can regulate blood sugar levels by physically blocking the actions of glucokinase. Glucokinase is an enzyme necessary for the production of the blood sugar-regulating hormone insulin, and the formation of the stored form of blood sugar. Variants of <em>GCKR </em>have been associated with elevated blood sugar levels. Read more to learn about this association, and to learn about recommendations you may follow to mitigate the negative effects of these variants.</strong><br />  &nbsp;</p>
411 | overall_score_text == Your Blood Sugar Score (based on GCKR gene)
411 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/GCKR-Blood-Sugar-Diabetes.jpg
411 | author_id == 14
411 | author_name == Shany Lahan
411 | author_title == MS (Neuroscience)
411 | author_order == 5
411 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Shany.webp
411 | author_intro == <p>Shany received her MSc in Neuroscience from Western University.</p>    <p>Prior to joining SelfDecode, Shany conducted research related to Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease, and taught science to undergraduate students. She believes that research should be accessible to everyone, regardless of scientific background. Shany joined SelfDecode&nbsp;with a mission to help others optimize their health and wellbeing &ndash; as well as help them understand the science behind it all.</p>
411 | reviewer == None
411 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
411 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
411 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
411 | publish_date == 2020
411 | publish_date == 10
411 | publish_date == 15
411 | avg_rating == 4.5
411 | tags_id == 826
411 | tags_name == GCKR Gene
411 | tags_id == 827
411 | tags_name == Glucokinase
411 | tags_id == 828
411 | tags_name == Glucokinase Regulator
411 | tags_id == 829
411 | tags_name == Glucose
411 | tags_id == 830
411 | tags_name == Glucose-6-Phosphate
411 | tags_id == 831
411 | tags_name == Glycogen
411 | tags_id == 139
411 | tags_name == Insulin
411 | tags_id == 142
411 | tags_name == Liver
411 | tags_id == 805
411 | tags_name == Pancreas
411 | permissions_favorite == False
411 | permissions_rate == False
411 | content_article == <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Summary</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">GCKR </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">codes for the glucokinase regulator, a protein involved in the prevention of low blood sugar levels. Variants of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">GCKR </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">may play a role in elevated blood sugar by increasing production or activity of the glucokinase regulator. Diet modifications may counteract the effects of these variants by decreasing production of the glucokinase regulator.</span></span></p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>GCKR</em></strong><strong> and Blood Sugar</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Glucokinase is an enzyme that can convert </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/glucose/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">blood sugar</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (glucose) to another compound (glucose-6-phosphate). This conversion is an early step in the release of the hormone </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/insulin-101/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">insulin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> from the pancreas, and the production of the stored form of blood sugar (glycogen) in the liver [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12475782/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Insulin can act on the liver to boost production of the stored form of blood sugar in response to elevated blood sugar levels; for example, after consumption of a meal [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1204764/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><a href="https://selfdecode.com/gene/gckr/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">GCKR </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">gene</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> codes for the glucokinase regulator. This protein binds to and physically inhibits glucokinase from converting blood sugar to glucose-6-phosphate [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/2646"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In this manner, the glucokinase regulator can lower the production of insulin and prevent the storage of blood sugar when blood sugar levels are low [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10713097/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Variants of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">GCKR </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">have been associated with elevated blood sugar. These variants may increase the production or activity of the glucokinase regulator, and thus inhibit the actions of glucokinase. This can result in elevated blood sugar levels by decreasing insulin release and decreasing production of the stored form of blood sugar [</span><a href="https://europepmc.org/abstract/med/22885922"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://europepmc.org/abstract/med/29358691"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Your </strong><strong><em>GCKR</em></strong><strong> Results for Blood Sugar</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;">*5239840470801142*</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Primary SNP</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>GCKR </em></strong><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs780093/"><strong>rs780093</strong></a></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = associated with relatively higher blood sugar levels</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = associated with lower blood sugar levels</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Important SNPs</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>GCKR </em></strong><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs780094/"><strong>rs780094</strong></a></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = associated with relatively higher blood sugar levels</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = associated with lower blood sugar levels</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>GCKR </em></strong><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs1260326/"><strong>rs1260326</strong></a></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = associated with relatively higher blood sugar levels</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = associated with lower blood sugar levels</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;">*8249427881347242*</p> <h2 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Recommendations for Lowering Blood Sugar</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;">*4965959754823987*</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Diet</strong></h3> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Cinnamon&nbsp;</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/top-15-proven-scientific-reasons-spice-life-cinnamon-references/">Cinnamon</a> is a spice made from <em>Cinnamomum </em>tree bark. Common varieties include Ceylon, Chinese, and Indonesian cinnamon.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Multiple studies have shown that cinnamon may reduce blood sugar and </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/top-tips-for-fixing-insulin-resistance/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">insulin resistance</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in individuals that have been diagnosed with or are at risk of type 2 diabetes. However, many scientists have warned about highly variable results across different studies [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21480806/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22579946/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3767714/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31425768/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30935562/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In individuals at high risk of diabetes, a combination of Indonesian cinnamon and </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/banaba-leaf-benefits/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">banaba leaf extract</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> improved sensitivity to insulin [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4820281/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cinnamon contains coumarin, a compound that can promote blood thinning. Due to the possible blood-thinning effects of coumarin, consuming large amounts of cinnamon is not recommended. Chinese and Indonesian cinnamon in particular contain higher amounts of coumarin than Ceylon cinnamon.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Coumarin has been shown to reduce the production of the glucokinase regulator in rats and human-derived cells [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18480146/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Consumption of cinnamon may lower blood sugar levels by decreasing the production of the glucokinase regulator.&nbsp;</span></p> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Green Tea</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a meta-analysis of 7 studies with healthy participants, drinking </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/green-tea/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">green tea</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> was associated with an 18% lower incidence of type 2 diabetes [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20008687"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Its potential to improve blood sugar control in people who have been diagnosed with or are at risk of type 2 diabetes is less clear. While green tea was found to be effective at reducing fasting blood sugar and fasting </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/insulin-101/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">insulin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (at high doses), one study found green tea to be ineffective at lowering type 2 diabetes markers in at-risk individuals [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23426037"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23803878"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24206044"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The differences observed may be due to variability in the populations studied. A meta-analysis found green tea to be especially effective at lowering fasting blood sugar, only in those under 55 years old or of Asian descent [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6356434/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Green tea contains flavonoids (plant-based compounds) such as catechins. In male smokers, flavonoid capsules containing catechins were found to decrease production of the glucokinase regulator after 8 weeks of daily supplementation [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3998980/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Drinking green tea may lower blood sugar levels by decreasing production of the glucokinase regulator.&nbsp;</span></p> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Olive Oil</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/olive-oil/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Olive oil</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> consumption was found to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 16%. The Mediterranean diet, which suggests that olive oil should be the main source of dietary fat, has been shown to</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">improve blood sugar control [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5436092/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27395419"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a clinical trial of overweight and diabetic people, olive oil consumption significantly reduced fasting blood sugar. In another trial focused on older adults with diabetes, an olive oil-containing diet prevented them from losing their eyesight [</span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27344308"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27541690"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Olive oil contains the compound pentanal. In human-derived cells, pentanal was found to decrease the production of the glucokinase regulator [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26079696/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Olive oil consumption may lower blood sugar levels by decreasing production of the glucokinase regulator.&nbsp;</span></p>
411 | content_snp_table_5239840470801142_key == 5239840470801142
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411 | content_snp_table_5239840470801142_hidden == False
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411 | content_learn_more_8249427881347242_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your GCKR gene makes you somewhat more likely to have elevated blood sugar. However, this doesn't necessarily reflect your overall risk of elevated blood sugar; it’s just one gene related to it. Consumption of cinnamon, green tea, and olive oil may help. Keep scrolling to find out more.
411 | content_recommendation_4965959754823987_key == 4965959754823987
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rsIDs = rs780094,rs1260326,rs780093
rsStatus = rs780094,GCKR,chr2,27518370,T,C,,,3,30,HET
rsStatus = rs1260326,GCKR,chr2,27508073,T,C,G,,2,31,HET
rsStatus = rs780093,GCKR,chr2,27519736,T,C,,,21,38,HET
