O K - the problem with talking about genetics coming first like that is, as a trigger, that many folks - not you guys, but folks watching the news say, is that they believe the genetics is a genetic cluster that is a T2D cluster, rather than, say - a body type, but a gene or genes we have lurking n there which has the possibility to give someone, specifically T2D. A T2D gene or genes. I have read folks on one of the American sites say this often.
Obviously, T2D being epigenetic, and as we all know - hugely about one's fat storage pathway, I talk about body types, rather than a genetic disposition per se.
Of course - it ends up being the same thing!
But not, I would argue, in the general public's minds eye, often. Language is super important, especially when talking about metabolic diseases (well, I guess I would think so wouldnt I?!) And a metabolic disease that is talked about as being at the beginning of a tidal wave (as it is in Aotearoa/New Zealand). (I also think this, I guess, as I have been involved in education, and I have family members who do not know about really, let alone understand what DNA is etc. My family is not alone!)
An enormously helpful piece of info when discussing this with folks who are wanting to understand where T2D comes from, imho, is that T2D is springing up in families who have not seen it before, at least - for the generations where spoken history is involved. This is my own situation. The trigger can be - putting way too much fat on your belly region for your metabolic system to deal with healthily, and blood glucose dysregulation sets in, and a cascade of insulin, lipids and blood glucose dysregulation over time if you are not lucky, or excess glucose and excess insulin has been going on too long.
Especially when children and young people are getting prediabetes and diabetes for the first time in known history. This is not a genetic situation - this is our environment. And as you guys know - specifically our food and drink environment (along with environmental changes and pollution - but mainly - the food and drink).
But of course you are right! Our gorgeous human bodies come first. Our gorgeous wonderful fully functioning glorious system with the underlying genetic blueprint that makes us what we are. And all our forebears what they were. Every single one of my earlier forebears for instance, was able to withstand a long boat ride with minimum nutrition to get to my country. All of them. The boats were different, reflecting the different regions - but it was still a mightly long boat ride to varying degrees, across vast stretches of ocean. Obviously they made it. Lean, and strong. Which is, after all, our human body prototype, if I can use that word.
If you look at it as a body type thing, which is how I do, it then explains all the racial/regional aspects to T2D, which is what Tamarillo and I were indirectly referring to in our country's major city, Auckland. This is nobody in this discussion, for again - obvious reasons! But news items have referred to particular races as having a genetic disposition to type two. This drives me nuts, as that is the end of the sentence. None of the kind of analysis as in above. And it is utterly utterly unhelpful from an education point of view, or to further good health amongst all populations. These are my thoughts on the subject at any rate (re news items, and education - both subjects I am super interested in).
Anyway, I hope you forgive me my rave. It's Sunday morning, my coffee has kicked in, and the sun is out, and I find this topic very engaging
