'DNA Diet' may help lower health risks related to high blood sugar : Study

The results are Published in the Journal Nature Scientific Reports.

Pre-diabetes occurs when blood glucose levels are consistently elevated but not yet at the level of type 2 diabetes (T2D). While pre-diabetes is reversible, if left untreated, up to 10% of individuals with pre-diabetes progress to T2D annually. T2D is a leading cause of sight loss, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and lower limb amputation, affecting 90% of the 4.9 million people living with diabetes. However, lifestyle changes have been shown to significantly reduce this risk. Moreover, genetic traits can provide insights into an individual's susceptibility to diet-related chronic conditions, highlighting the importance of personalized dietary modifications to mitigate these risks.

To understand the impact of DNA-based diets on pre-diabetes, researchers enlisted 148 individuals with elevated blood sugar levels. Baseline measurements of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were taken, along with dietary information. Participants were then divided into three groups: a control group receiving NICE-guided coaching, an intervention group receiving coaching and a DNA-based diet, and an exploratory group using DnaNudge's app and wearable device for self-guided DNA-personalized food recommendations. FPG and HbA1c levels were reassessed at 6, 12, and 26 weeks.

No statistically significant difference between the groups at six weeks was found, but a significant reduction in both FPG and HbA1c in participants using the DNA-based diet, both with and without the DnaNudge app, compared to the control group at 26 weeks was observed.

At 26 weeks, compared with the control group, the intervention group saw an average reduction in FPG of 0.019 mmol/L and a reduction in HbA1c by 0.038 mmol/mol, while the exploratory group saw a 0.021 mmol/L reduction in FPG with no reduction in HbA1c.

“Though clinical research into personalised nutrition and type 2 diabetes is still developing, our study adds to evidence that supports the value of such personalised approaches. If validated, our intervention could provide a cost-effective, widely distributable, and easily scalable prevention tool for improving glucose regulation in high-risk individuals.” said Joint first author Dr Maria Karvela, from Imperial College London’s Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and DnaNudge.

Reference: Maria Karvela, Caroline T. Golden, Nikeysha Bell, Stephanie Martin-Li, Judith Bedzo-Nutakor, Natalie Bosnic, Pierre DeBeaudrap, Sara de Mateo-Lopez, Ahmed Alajrami, Yun Qin, Maria Eze, Tsz-Kin Hon, Javier Simón-Sánchez, Rashmita Sahoo, Jonathan Pearson-Stuttard, Patrick Soon-Shiong, Christofer Toumazou & Nick Oliver; Journal: Nature Scientific Reports