Diabetes prevention: Epigenetic changes may influence the benefits of a healthy diet
A healthy diet lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes. However, the extent of this protective effect may be influenced by epigenetic factors. This is suggested by a new study conducted by researchers from the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) and the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE). The results have been published in Cardiovascular Diabetology.
Researchers from the German Center for Diabetes Research and the German Institute of Human Nutrition have found that epigenetic changes may influence the benefits of a healthy diet in preventing type 2 diabetes. A balanced diet is known to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, but the extent of this protective effect can vary among individuals.
The study, led by Christine El-Khoury and Matthias Schulze, investigated how genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes and epigenetic factors based on DNA methylation patterns affect this relationship. The researchers analyzed data from over 27,000 participants in the EPIC-Potsdam Study, which has monitored individuals since the 1990s.
They assessed genetic predisposition using polygenic risk scores and epigenetic factors by examining DNA methylation patterns. The analysis did not find that genetic predisposition modifies the association between diet quality and the risk of type 2 diabetes. However, epigenetic factors showed different results. A higher methylation risk score, which combines patterns associated with increased diabetes risk, was linked to a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Notably, this epigenetic factor appeared to modify the protective effect of a healthy diet. Participants with a lower epigenetic risk benefited more from a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes, nuts, fish, and plant-based fats, while those with a higher epigenetic risk did not see the same benefits. This study suggests that personalized prevention strategies could be developed by considering individuals' epigenetic profiles, but more research is needed to confirm these findings before they can inform individual dietary recommendations.
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