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DGKB

An Enzyme with a Dual Role in Modulating Blood Sugar Levels (DGKB)

Written by Shany Lahan, MS (Neuroscience) on October 15th, 2020

The DGKB gene codes for an enzyme involved in the formation of phosphatidic acid. Phosphatidic acid can raise or lower blood sugar levels, depending on the cell type. Variants of DGKB have been associated with elevated blood sugar during periods of fasting. Read more to learn about this association, and to learn about recommendations you may follow to mitigate the negative effects of these variants.

Summary

DGKB codes for diacylglycerol kinase beta, an enzyme that can influence blood sugar levels. Variants of DGKB may play a role in elevated blood sugar while fasting, by decreasing production of diacylglycerol kinase beta. Diet and supplement modifications may counteract the effects of these variants by modulating the body’s response to a blood sugar-regulating hormone.

DGKB and Blood Sugar

The DGKB gene codes for diacylglycerol kinase beta, an enzyme that aids in the conversion of diacylglycerol to phosphatidic acid. Diacylglycerol and phosphatidic acid are molecules that can activate proteins within cells and in turn, mediate a variety of cellular processes [R].

In liver cells, phosphatidic acid can increase the production of blood sugar when levels are low. In pancreatic cells, diacylglycerol and phosphatidic acid are both necessary for the release of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that promotes the storage of blood sugar in muscle, fat, and the liver, thereby lowering levels of this sugar in the blood [R, R, R, R].

Phosphatidic acid can therefore increase or decrease blood sugar levels, depending on the cell type in question [R, R].

Variants of DGKB have been associated with elevated blood sugar during periods of fasting. These variants may decrease production of diacylglycerol kinase beta within pancreatic cells, leading to decreased conversion of diacylglycerol to phosphatidic acid and consequent reductions in insulin release [R, R, R].

Your DGKB Results for Blood Sugar

SNP Table

variant	genotype	frequency	risk allele
rs2191349
rs17168486
rs2191348

Primary SNP

DGKB rs2191349

‘T’ = Increased risk of elevated blood sugar while fasting
‘G’ = Not associated with elevated blood sugar while fasting

Other Important SNPs

DGKB rs17168486

‘T’ = Increased risk of elevated blood sugar while fasting
‘C’ = Not associated with elevated blood sugar while fasting

DGKB rs2191348

‘T’ = Increased risk of elevated blood sugar while fasting
‘G’ = Not associated with elevated blood sugar while fasting

Recommendations

Diet

Mediterranean Diet

Among the Mediterranean diet’s many health benefits, several studies have associated adherence to this diet with up to 23% lower risk of type 2 diabetes [R, R, R, R].

In people with type 2 diabetes, the Mediterranean diet has been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels by increasing sensitivity to insulin [R, R].

The Mediterranean diet states that olive oil should be the main source of dietary fat. Olive oil has been shown to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 16% [R, R].

In a clinical trial focused on overweight and diabetic individuals, olive oil consumption significantly reduced blood sugar levels while fasting [R].

In another trial focused on older adults with diabetes, an olive oil-containing diet prevented the participants from losing their eyesight [R].

The Mediterranean diet may regulate fasting blood sugar levels and protect against type 2 diabetes by modulating the body’s response to insulin.

Dietary Fiber

Fiber has been shown to delay fasting and post-meal blood sugar spikes, as well as improve insulin resistance.

A diet rich in sources of fiber, such as whole grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruit, has been associated with better insulin sensitivity and a reduced incidence of type 2 diabetes in multiple studies [R, R, R, R, R, R].

Dietary interventions replacing refined carbohydrates with fiber-rich foods significantly increased insulin sensitivity in healthy individuals and helped improve blood sugar control in those with type 2 diabetes [R, R, R, R, R, R, R].

Dietary fiber may regulate fasting and post-meal blood sugar, as well as protect against type 2 diabetes, by modulating the body’s response to insulin.

Supplements

Resistant Starch

Multiple clinical trials have shown that supplementation with resistant starch can reduce fasting and post-meal blood sugar levels while improving insulin resistance, especially in people with type 2 diabetes and obesity [R, R, R, R, R].

Supplementation with resistant starch may prevent complications resulting from excess blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes. Specifically, resistant starch regulated blood sugar levels, reduced toxins released by bacteria, increased antioxidants, and protected blood vessels in individuals with this condition [R, R].

Preliminary research on animals suggests that resistant starch may help regulate blood sugar by slowing down the uptake and digestion of carbohydrates, stimulating carbohydrate storage in the liver and muscles, and improving insulin sensitivity [R, R, R].

Resistant starch may regulate fasting and post-meal blood sugar levels by modulating the body’s response to insulin and carbohydrates.

Shany Lahan

MS (Neuroscience)

Shany received her MSc in Neuroscience from Western University.

Prior to joining SelfDecode, Shany conducted research related to Alzheimer’s disease, and taught science to undergraduate students. She believes that research should be accessible to everyone, regardless of scientific background. Shany joined SelfDecode with a mission to help others optimize their health and wellbeing – as well as help them understand the science behind it all.

Disclaimer

The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other official medical body. This information is presented for educational purposes only, and may not be used to diagnose or treat any illness or disease.

Also keep in mind that the “Risk Score” presented in this post is based only on a select number of SNPs, and therefore only represents a small portion of your total risk as an individual. Furthermore, these analyses are based primarily on associational studies, which do not necessarily imply causation. Finally, many other (non-genetic) factors can also play a significant role in the development of a disease or health condition — therefore, carrying any of the risk-associated genotypes discussed in this post does not necessarily mean you are at increased risk of developing a major health condition.

Always consult your doctor before acting on any information or recommendations discussed in this post — especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have been officially diagnosed with a medical condition.

More blood sugar control blogs

Are You At Risk for Insulin Resistance and Diabetic Complications? (FOXO1) A Surprising Player in Obesity and Diabetes (PEMT) The Role Of Amino Acids In Diet, Obesity, & Diabetes (PPM1K) The Link Between Diabetes and High-Carb Foods (TCF7L2) How An Insulin Gene Influences Diet and Blood Sugar (GIPR) How A Zinc Gene Affects Blood Sugar (SLC30A8) Does This Gene Influence Your Risk of Obesity and Diabetes? (UCP3) Genetics of Inflammation, Obesity & Insulin Resistance (TNF) Does This Gene Influence Your Risk of Obesity and Diabetes? (UCP2) Can This Gene Influence Your Sugar Eating Habits? (SLC2A2)

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An Enzyme with a Dual Role in Modulating Blood Sugar Levels (DGKB)

Summary

DGKB and Blood Sugar

Your DGKB Results for Blood Sugar

SNP Table

Recommendations

Diet

Mediterranean Diet

Dietary Fiber

Supplements

Resistant Starch

Disclaimer

More blood sugar control blogs

Content

Unlock Personalized Results And So Much More!

Essential Bundle

Essential

Bundle

Ultimate Bundle

Limited Time Offer 25% Off

Policies

About

Navigation

Health reports