NW56: Insulin Resistance or Genetic Resistance?: Altering Genes to Modify Insulin Pathways

Insulin resistance leading to diabetes, weight gain and metabolic disease is estimated to affect 40% of individuals worldwide and the CDC estimates a staggering 84% remain undiagnosed. Factors contributing to this epidemic include poor diet, lack of exercise and environmental toxicity. However, the most important yet least-recognized contributor to this growing issue is systemic inflammation.

It is estimated that 80% of all major human diseases are mediated by inflammation and while there are numerous pathways leading to this pathology, the one proving to be overwhelmingly important is chronic stress and the associated dysfunction of the HPA axis. We know that 90% of visits to doctor’s offices are directly or indirectly due to stress: its connection to inflammation, insulin resistance, detoxification and metabolic syndrome can no longer be ignored. We must address all sides of the stress-inflammation-insulin resistance equation to successfully treat our patients. 

Recognizing that chronic stress, anxiety and sleep deprivation are factors in obesity, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome is one thing, but treating it successfully requires a far deeper understanding of the specific individual genetic factors that influence and control our risk and response.

For example, our genetics dictate which of us release higher amounts of glucocorticoid for each stressor or produce more FKBP5 protein that blocks hypothalamic receptors and inhibits negative feedback in the HPA axis. Similarly, it is our genes that control the levels of inflammatory cytokines we produce, altering GLUT4 transportation, impairing insulin signaling and inhibiting UCP1-directed thermogenesis independent of diet and exercise. Stress leads to inflammation and inflammation augments our stress response. They both mediate insulin resistance. This vicious cycle needs to be halted for treatment to be successful. Knowing and interpreting our genetic coding is the only way to accurately identify the root cause of this pattern and explains why there is no one-size-fits-all treatment plan for metabolic syndrome and weight loss.

In this lecture I will review the genes involved in the above pathways. I will demonstrate, using diet, lifestyle changes and natural supplementation, how to alter gene expression, reset the central nervous system, re-balance metabolism and reduce inflammatory load.