417 | id == 417
417 | category_id == 25
417 | category_order == 22
417 | category_name == Blood Sugar
417 | category_color == #C47AC0
417 | slug == MC4R-leptin-diabetes
417 | title == Genetic Link Between Leptin and Blood Sugar (MC4R)
417 | meta_description == The MC4R gene enables leptin functions. Click to learn how variants in this gene influence blood sugar.
417 | summary == <p style="text-align:justify"><strong>Did you know that genes have a major impact on leptin, the master controller of your metabolism and appetite? Read this post to learn the link between the MC4R gene and blood sugar &mdash; personalized tips included!</strong></p>
417 | overall_score_text == Your Blood Sugar Score (based on MC4R gene)
417 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/MC4R-Blood-Sugar-Diabetes.jpg
417 | author_id == 9
417 | author_name == Aleksa Ristic
417 | author_title == MS (Pharmacy)
417 | author_order == 45
417 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Aleksa.jpg
417 | 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>
417 | reviewer == None
417 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
417 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
417 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
417 | publish_date == 2020
417 | publish_date == 10
417 | publish_date == 19
417 | avg_rating == 5.0
417 | tags_id == 801
417 | tags_name == Blood Sugar
417 | tags_id == 127
417 | tags_name == Diabetes Type 2
417 | tags_id == 820
417 | tags_name == Glucagon
417 | tags_id == 116
417 | tags_name == Insulin Resistance
417 | tags_id == 456
417 | tags_name == Leptin
417 | tags_id == 457
417 | tags_name == MC4R Gene
417 | permissions_favorite == False
417 | permissions_rate == False
417 | content_article == <p>&nbsp;</p> <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> We analyze the <em>MC4R</em> gene in our <strong><em><a href="https://get.selfdecode.com/weight/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Body Weight DNA Wellness Report</a></em></strong>, along with many other genes. If you're looking for a comprehensive genetic report on weight control, check it 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 MC4R gene enables leptin to reduce food intake and improve glucose metabolism.<br /><br /></strong><strong>Specific gene variants reduce MC4R activity and correlate with higher blood sugar levels due to type 2 diabetes.<br /><br /></strong><strong>Follow our gene-based recommendations to improve blood sugar control.</strong></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><strong>MC4R, Leptin &amp; Blood Sugar Levels</strong></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><a href="https://www.selfdecode.com/gene/MC4R/?utm_source=seo&amp;#38;utm_medium=selfhacked&amp;#38;utm_campaign=id00002"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">MC4R</span></em></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene helps make a receptor for alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone or </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/alpha-msh-its-role-in-weight-control-autoimmunity-cirs-and-cfs/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">a-MSH</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. This receptor&rsquo;s primary location is the </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/hypothalamus-101/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">hypothalamus</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, which controls food intake, metabolism, reproductive behavior, and more [</span><a href="https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/MC4R"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The MC4 receptor is a part of the leptin-melanocortin pathway in the hypothalamus. </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/all-about-leptin-its-role-in-chronic-inflammation-cfs-and-weight/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Leptin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a crucial hormone for appetite and metabolism control, released by fat tissue. It improves </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/top-tips-for-fixing-insulin-resistance/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">insulin sensitivity</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and suppresses </span><a href="https://www.selfhacked.com/blog/glucagon-levels/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">glucagon</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, thus lowering blood sugar levels [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17578380"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5605734/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3292314/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Even though leptin suppresses appetite and stimulates energy expenditure, excess levels are typical in obese people. Over-secretion leads to </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/the-root-causes-of-leptin-resistance-and-12-ways-to-reverse-it/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">leptin resistance</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, a condition in which leptin loses the ability to reduce food intake and blood sugar levels [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17021377/"><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;">The MC4R gene enables leptin to reduce food intake and improve glucose metabolism.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><strong>Your MC4R Results for Blood Sugar</strong></h2> <p>*9460659457370613*</p> <p><strong>Primary SNPs:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs12970134/"><strong>rs12970134</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><a href="https://europepmc.org/abstract/med/22885922"><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; - associated with higher blood sugar levels due to type 2 diabetes</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; - not associated with blood sugar levels</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The &lsquo;A&rsquo; allele likely reduces MC4R activity</span></li> </ul> <p><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs663129/"><strong>rs663129</strong></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</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://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;A&rsquo; - associated with higher blood sugar levels due to type 2 diabetes</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; - not associated with blood sugar levels</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The &lsquo;A&rsquo; allele likely reduces MC4R activity</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These two variants are almost always inherited together, which means they act as a single genetic factor.</span></p> <p>*2711669407534385*</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><strong>Recommendations to Balance Blood Sugar</strong></h2> <p>*8700554789843646*</p> <h3><strong>Lifestyle</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Improve Sleep Quality</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In one study, animals in a constant light cycle had lower </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/alpha-msh-its-role-in-weight-control-autoimmunity-cirs-and-cfs/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">alpha-MSH</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> levels, suggesting that</span> <a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/what-it-means-to-keep-to-a-circadian-rhythm/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">circadian rhythm</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> problems may reduce MC4R activity. On the other hand, adequate </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;"> during the day can boost sleep quality and activate MC4R [</span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/10816644/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00403-011-1183-3"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7357442"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In one trial, restful </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/health-benefits-sleep/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">sleep</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in non-obese individuals normalized leptin levels. On the other hand, sleep deprivation can prevent MC4R activation and contribute to leptin resistance [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15531540"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24732925"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sleep deprivation and poor sleep quality may decrease insulin sensitivity, raising blood sugar levels over time [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4526115/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8338493/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3443761/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6306888/"><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;">Fix your circadian rhythm and improve sleep quality to lessen the impact of MC4R variants on your blood sugar.</span></p> <h3><strong>Diet</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Blueberries</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The consumption of polyphenol-rich fruits and vegetables may prevent leptin resistance [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6133929/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/blueberries-health-benefits/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Blueberries</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and their European variety, </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/bilberry/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">bilberries</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, are packed with polyphenols that increase </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/top-tips-for-fixing-insulin-resistance/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">insulin sensitivity</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and help prevent type 2 diabetes [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3821977/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16979328"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4931534/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Blueberries lowered blood glucose and reduced inflammation and </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/oxidative-stress-101/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">oxidative stress</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in multiple trials of both healthy people and those with type 2 diabetes [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6356777/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3139238/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17261891"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19009913"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17261891"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bilberry fruits and extracts lowered blood sugar in 3 clinical trials of people with or at risk of type 2 diabetes [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3161986/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28556578"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4153034/"><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;">Blueberries and bilberries can help reduce blood sugar levels by targeting your gene variants.</span></p> <h3><strong>Supplements</strong></h3> <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;"> may counteract your variants by improving leptin resistance [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16807088/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5585907/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Probiotic supplementation</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 MC4R variants and reduce blood sugar levels.</span></p>
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417 | content_learn_more_2711669407534385_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your MC4R gene is 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. Eat blueberries and improve your sleep quality to reduce blood sugar levels. Keep reading to learn more.
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rsIDs = rs663129,rs12970134
rsStatus = rs663129,,chr18,60171168,G,A,,,11,5,HET
rsStatus = rs12970134,,chr18,60217517,G,A,,,22,12,HET
