blood sugar control

IGF2BP2

What Effect Does This Gene Have On The Health Of The Pancreas? (IGF2BP2)

Written by John Williams, B.Sc on October 12th, 2020

The IGF2BP2 gene affects the health of your pancreatic beta cells and their ability to respond to insulin. Some SNPs of this gene have been very well studied so come check out our very specific recommendations.

Summary

IGF2BP2 encodes a protein that increases levels of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2). Variants of IGF2BP2 may play a role in blood sugar by increasing IGF2 levels, which causes the pancreatic beta cells that release insulin to become dysfunctional and/or die. Lifestyle, diet, and supplement modifications may counteract the effects of these variants by reducing IGF2 levels or protecting the pancreatic cells in some other way.

IGF2BP2 and Blood Sugar

The IGF2BP2 gene encodes a protein that affects how much insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) you produce. IGF2 plays a role in the growth of beta cells, which are the cells of the pancreas that make insulin. Insulin is a hormone that lowers your blood sugar [R, R, R].

Mice with higher levels of IGF2 had a smaller insulin response when given glucose. They also had bigger beta cells and the cells themselves were more likely to either die or be dysfunctional. As a result, increased IGF2 seems to make your pancreas less effective at controlling blood sugar [R, R].

Your IGF2BP2 Results for Blood Sugar

SNP Table

variant	genotype	frequency	risk allele
rs4402960
rs1470579
rs6769511
rs11927381
rs11705701

Primary SNP: IGF2BP2 rs4402960

‘T’ = associated with increased blood sugar; associated with protection from Type 2 Diabetes if drinking at least 2 cups of coffee per day
‘G’ = not associated with blood sugar; no protective effect from coffee

One study found that those with the ‘T’ variant seemed to have a 20% reduced risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes if they drank two cups of coffee per day [R].

Other Important SNPs: IGF2BP2 rs1470579

‘C’ = associated with increased blood sugar
‘A’ = no association with blood sugar

IGF2BP2 rs6769511

‘C’ = associated with increased blood sugar
‘T’ = no association with blood sugar

IGF2BP2 rs11927381

‘C’ = associated with increased blood sugar
‘T’ = no association with blood sugar

The ‘C’ variant of rs11927381 is associated with more IGF2BP2 being produced. An increase in IGF2BP2 causes an increase in IGF2 as well [R].

IGF2BP2 rs11705701

‘A’ = associated with decreased insulin sensitivity as body fat percentage goes up
‘G’ = not associated with insulin sensitivity as body fat percentage goes up

The ‘A’ variant of this SNP is associated with decreased insulin sensitivity as body fat percentage goes up. In other words, if your body fat percentage is low, it shouldn’t affect you but ‘A’ variants with higher body fat percentage have an increased risk of having blood sugar control problems. See the recommendations section for more information [R].

Recommendations

Lifestyle

Strength Training (Reduce Body Fat Percentage)

As body fat percentage increases, the ‘A’ variant of rs11705701 is associated with worsening beta cell function and increased insulin resistance. These outcomes increase your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. It should be noted that BMI was not associated at all with the ‘A’ variant, which is why we are recommending to decrease body fat percentage but not necessarily to lose weight [R].

Weightlifting or other forms of strength training have been found to reduce body fat percentage. Furthermore, both men and women seem to benefit from this. As usual, check with your doctor before starting any sort of intense exercise program [R, R, R].

Lifting weights may help certain variants with blood sugar control by reducing body fat percentage.

Stop Smoking

Certain IGF2BP2 variants are associated with a 2x risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus if you are a smoker but do not seem to affect diabetes risk if you are a nonsmoker. From this, it is reasonable to conclude that quitting smoking should be an effective way of reducing your risk of having blood sugar problems [R].

Tobacco smoke directly causes more IGF2 to be produced. Smoking also kills the beta cells in the pancreas that are responsible for making insulin, the hormone that lowers your blood sugar [R].

Smoking increases your risk of having suboptimal blood sugar control and so it is a good idea to quit.

Diet

Two Cups of Coffee Per Day

Coffee drinkers that have the ‘T’ variant of rs4402960 were associated with a 20% decreased risk of Type 2 Diabetes. Coffee did not seem to have an effect on the ‘GG’ variant’s risk. The authors of the study suggested that the antioxidants found in coffee, as well as caffeine itself, seem to help with glucose metabolism [R].

It is interesting to note that the study only found an effect if the coffee drinker drank at least two cups of coffee per day. A standard 8oz cup of coffee contains 100 to 200 mg of caffeine and 400mg a day of caffeine is generally considered safe [R, R].

While drinking two cups of coffee a day is safe for most people, those with certain conditions such as anxiety should weigh the risk versus benefit of this option with their doctor.

Drinking two cups of coffee per day has been associated with decreased risk of Type 2 Diabetes for certain variants.

John Williams

B.Sc

John received his BSc from the University of Toronto. John has spent the last several years teaching high school science and math to English-language learners, which has forced him to learn how to simplify difficult concepts as much as possible. He has also worked in two different research labs and has experience as a student intern working and studying under doctors in hospitals and clinics to help diagnose and treat patients, interpret lab results and fill out mountains of paperwork.

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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Summary IGF2BP2 and Blood Sugar Your IGF2BP2 Results for Blood Sugar

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