blood sugar control

nutrition

SLC2A2

Can This Gene Influence Your Sugar Eating Habits? (SLC2A2)

Written by Lewis Cuthbertson, PhD on August 13th, 2020

The SLC2A2 gene encodes the GLUT2 transporter proteins, which transports sugar in and out of cells. Variants in this gene may influence your sugar intake. Read on to find out how these variants may be influencing your dietary habits, and some steps you can take to potentially reduce their impact!

What is SLC2A2?

The SLC2A2 gene encodes a transporter protein called GLUT2, which moves glucose and other simple sugars in and out of cells [R].

GLUT2 proteins are present in the liver, brain, kidney, intestines, and pancreas, and become more active after meals in response to a sugar increase in the body [R].

GLUT2 function is important for healthy blood sugar levels [R].

The SLC2A2 gene encodes GLUT2, a transporter that assists in the movement of sugar (glucose) in and out of cells, and by doing so promotes a healthy blood sugar response.

SLC2A2 Variants & Sweet Tooth

Certain SLC2A2 variants have been associated with differences in sugar intake.

A study of two distinct populations linked the SLC2A2 variant rs5400 with appetite for sugary foods.

The first group of individuals, 194 men and women over the age of 45 who showed pre-diabetic symptoms, were found to have an increased sugar intake if they carried an ‘A’ allele [R].

This finding was replicated in a group of 700 healthy men and women aged 20-29 [R].

Although these findings were replicated in two distinct groups, the small overall number of participants means these results require further validation at a larger scale [R].

SLC2A2 variants, such as rs5400, have been associated with increased sugar intake.

How SL2A2 Might Influence Sugar Intake

Appetite is largely controlled by communication between the gut and the brain. GLUT2 is believed to be a part of specific sensors in the brain that detect glucose in the blood [R].

Low GLUT2 has been shown to cause overeating in mice. Researchers found that mice without the GLUT2 gene typically ate larger portions of food, suggesting that the gene plays a role in appetite. However, the mechanism for this is not fully understood and requires further research [R].

It’s possible that in people with SLC2A2 variants, lower GLUT2 reduces the amount of glucose being sensed. This may increase a person’s hunger for sugary foods [R].

SLC2A2 variants may lower the amount of GLUT2 in the brain. Lower GLUT2 may reduce glucose sensing, which in turn amplifies the feeling of hunger for sugary foods.

SLC2A2 Variants & Disease

Carriers of the ‘A’ allele of rs5400 were also found to have increased cholesterol compared to non-carriers [R].

A further SLC2A2 variant, rs1499821, was associated with an increased risk for poor teeth health in humans. The researchers also found a link between teeth health and liking of sweets, which may indicate that this variant also influences sugar intake. However, this speculative link would require further work for confirmation [R, R].

Variants of SLC2A2, including rs5400, are associated with increased risk of disease, including diabetes and Fanconi–Bickel syndrome. However, the mechanism has not been clearly identified and more research is needed [R, R].

As well as being associated with increased sugar intake, SLC2A2 variants may also increase the risk of certain diseases.

Your SLC2A2 Results for Sugar Intake

SNP Table

variant	genotype	frequency	risk allele
rs5400

SNP Summary and Table

SLC2A2 rs5400

‘AA’ = Associated with an increased intake of sugar [R]
‘AG’ = Associated with an increased intake of sugar [R]
‘GG’ = Associated with a normal intake of sugar [R]

Globally, 36% of people carry a copy of the ‘sweet tooth’-causing ‘A’ allele [R].

Recommendations

Lifestyle

Manage/Minimize Stress

Research in rats suggests that stress can decrease GLUT2 levels and activity and reduce glucose absorption by the intestines, which may increase sugar intake. However, this research was done in rodent models, and the mechanism behind this has yet to be clearly shown [R].

However, we do know that stress, via the stress hormone cortisol, has been linked to higher blood glucose levels and insulin resistance [R].

Stress management techniques, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction, have been shown to improve glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes [R, R].

Exercise

Research in rats also shows that exercise helps increase the production of GLUT2, reduce blood glucose levels, and improve insulin sensitivity. Physical activity can also significantly lower the risk of type 2 diabetes [R, R, R].

Diet

Avoid Processed Sugary Foods

In general, to avoid the risks associated with a high sugar diet, avoid foods high in sugar or carbohydrates such as sweets, bread and general junk food [R].

Avoid Fatty Junk Food

Fatty palmitic acid is thought to decrease GLUT2 activity in animal studies. Decreased GLUT2 activity has been touted as a cause of overeating sugary foods, therefore eating fatty foods may perpetuate sweet appetite too, although the mechanism behind this is not clear. Avoid eating foods high in palmitic acid, such as butter, milk, red meat, and palm oil (potato chips, pastries, etc.) [R, R, R].

Lewis Cuthbertson

PhD

Lewis completed his PhD in Molecular Microbiology at Northumbria University (UK).

Lewis spent several years researching the biodiversity of bacterial communities in the Arctic and Antarctic, whilst also performing research for a DNA sequencing service, where he was involved in several health based microbiome studies. This gave him an insight into how the highly diverse and invisible to the naked eye portion of human health, can potentially impact an individual’s quality of life, driving his desire to help others understand their own complex health needs through the most current scientific research.

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)

More nutrition blogs

The Role of Genes in Choline Deficiency (PEMT) A Surprising Player in Obesity and Diabetes (PEMT) A Heat-Generating Gene Linked to Weight Gain (UCP1) Can Our Genes Make Us Fat? (FTO) Can This Gene Affect Vitamin B12 Levels? (FUT2) The Role Of Amino Acids In Diet, Obesity, & Diabetes (PPM1K) How A Fat Metabolism Gene Affects Nutrition and Cognition (FADS2) The Link Between Diabetes and High-Carb Foods (TCF7L2) How An Insulin Gene Influences Diet and Blood Sugar (GIPR)

Content

What is SLC2A2? SLC2A2 Variants & Sweet Tooth How SL2A2 Might Influence Sugar Intake SLC2A2 Variants & Disease Your SLC2A2 Results for Sugar Intake

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