Diabetic Digest - July 8, 2015

Readers:

People ask me every now and again if my diabetes was inherited from my family or was I just a lucky genetic lottery winner. I am the only one in my family with juvenile diabetes, although many of my Uncle now have Type 2.

I often thought that maybe diabetes was just a genetic role of the dice, but apparently, researchers have identified a specific genetic change that leads to diabetes.

To learn more about this interesting discovery from the article below. And then enjoy a recipe for Marinated Grilled Chicken that would be great to use if the rain would stop for a night.

Regards,
Steve

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Comments? Questions? Email Steve


*-- Diabetic News --*
Inherited form of obesity, diabetes discovered

LONDON (UPI) - Researchers have identified a specific genetic change that prevents the body from producing a protein important for processing a number of hormones and brain transmitters controlling appetite, insulin and other hormones important in the reproductive system.

While scientists are unsure of the proportion of people whose obesity or diabetes is caused by inherited genetic changes, there are more than 30 genes that can create risk factors for the conditions.

"There are now an increasing number of single-gene causes of obesity and diabetes known," Professor Alex Blakemore, of the Department of Medicine at Imperial College London, said in a press release. "We don't know how many more have yet to be discovered, or what proportion of the severely obese people in our population have these diseases -- it is not possible to tell just by looking.

Researchers sequenced the DNA of a morbidly obese 20-year-old woman and six members of her family who, in addition to childhood onset obesity, had an increased appetite, type 2 diabetes, learning difficulties and reproductive problems.

The woman was found to have two copies of a harmful genetic alteration, which prevents her body from making carboxypeptidase-E, or CPE, which helps to control appetite, insulin and other hormones related to the reproductive system. CPE deficiency is a recessive, inherited trait, meaning that both of her parents carried the gene, as well.

"These are serious disorders that affect the body's ability to regulate hunger and fullness signals," Blakemore said. "They are inherited in the just same way as other genetic diseases and the sufferers should not be stigmatized for their condition. They should be offered genetic counseling and specialized lifelong support to allow them as healthy a life as possible."

The study is published in PLOS ONE.


*- Diabetic Recipe -*
Marinated Grilled Chicken
Note: This recipe has you marinate the chicken for up to 24 hours. Just keep that in mind when you're planning your menu!

Servings: 12
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total: 30 minutes

Ingredients
2 whole fresh chickens, 2 1/2 pounds each, cut into 6 pieces
6 cloves garlic, mashed
1 teaspoon salt (optional)
freshly ground pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 small onion, 4 ounces, cut in half and very thinly sliced
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1/3 cup minced flat-leaf parsley
3 tablespoons olive oil
pepper, to taste

Directions
1. Trim away any visible fat from the chicken; remove and discard the skin. Rinse the chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Place the chicken pieces in a non-reactive baking pan, sprinkle with the garlic, and toss to coat. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and a generous sprinkling of paprika. Top with the onions.
2. Drizzle the orange juice over the chicken and sprinkle on the zest. Add the parsley and toss again. Drizzle with olive oil and again toss to coat the chicken.
3. Cover and refrigerate the chicken overnight or for up to 24 hours.
4. Light a grill or preheat the broiler. Grill or broil the chicken for about 8 minutes per side, turning once, until juices run clear when the chicken flesh is pierced with the tip of a sharp knife.
5. Serve the chicken hot off the grill or grill ahead and serve the chicken cold.

Nutrition Information
Per serving: 119 calories (53% calories from fat), 13 g protein, 7 g total fat (1.8 g saturated fat), trace carbohydrate, 0 dietary fiber, 42 mg cholesterol, 45 mg sodium
Diabetic exchanges: 2 lean protein (meat)

Original Recipe: Marinated Grilled Chicken

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