blood sugar control

SLC30A8

A Zinc Transporter’s Connection to Diabetes (SLC30A8)

Written by Jasmine Foster, BSc, BEd on October 14th, 2020

SLC30A8 encodes a protein that transports into insulin-producing cell structures. Can some variants protect against diabetes? Find out here.

Summary

SLC30A8 encodes zinc transporter 8, or ZnT8. Variants of SLC30A8 may play a role in diabetes by reducing the amount of circulating zinc in the bloodstream. Lifestyle, diet, and supplement modifications may counteract the effects of these variants by maintaining optimal blood levels of zinc.

SLC30A8 and Blood Sugar

SLC30A8 encodes a protein called zinc transporter 8, or ZnT8, which transports zinc into cell structures responsible for making insulin. ZnT8 is expressed almost exclusively in the pancreas, making it a very interesting potential target for diabetes research [R, R].

Variants in the SLC30A8 gene reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes, but researchers aren’t sure exactly how. Some studies suggest that these variants reduce the effectiveness of the ZnT8 transporter. This would reduce the amount of zinc moving into insulin-producing structures, but may leave more zinc circulating in the bloodstream [R, R].

Low blood zinc, meanwhile, has been strongly associated with diabetes. Meta-analyses of available studies also suggest that zinc supplementation is broadly beneficial in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, diabetes develops more frequently in people with low dietary zinc intake. This evidence makes it especially interesting that SLC30A8 variants that reduce ZnT8 efficacy appear protective against diabetes [R, R].

Some people with type 1 diabetes develop antibodies against their own ZnT8 protein, leading to autoimmune inflammation. Autoantibodies against ZnT8 might be helpful in the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes [R].

SLC30A8 encodes zinc transporter 8, or ZnT8, which takes zinc out of the bloodstream and into cell structures that make insulin. Genetic variants that reduce ZnT8 activity reduce the risk of diabetes, possibly by allowing more zinc to stay in the blood.

Your SLC30A8 Results for Blood Sugar

SNP Table

variant	genotype	frequency	risk allele
rs13266634
rs3802177

SLC30A8 rs13266634

‘C’ = Associated with relatively higher blood sugar
‘T’ = Associated with lower blood sugar
The ‘T’ allele may reduce the function of the ZnT8 transporter, leaving more zinc in the bloodstream and reducing overall blood sugar [R, R].

SLC30A8 rs3802177

‘G’ = Associated with relatively higher blood sugar
‘A’ = Associated with lower blood sugar
The ‘A’ allele may reduce the function of the ZnT8 transporter, leaving more zinc in the bloodstream and reducing overall blood sugar [R, R].

Recommendations

Zinc

ZnT8 removes zinc from the bloodstream and uses it in the production of insulin. Some researchers believe that the reduction of zinc in the blood is the potentially harmful part of that equation, in which case it’s very important to avoid zinc deficiency [R].

Several meta-analyses have found that zinc supplementation may reduce blood glucose, insulin resistance, and glycated hemoglobin levels in people with obesity, diabetes (both type 1 and 2) and metabolic syndrome [R, R, R].

Zinc may also decrease the severity of diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain), oxidative stress, and cholesterol/triglyceride levels in type 2 diabetic patients [R, R, R, R].

Zinc is available in supplement form. For those who prefer to try to get their zinc status up through diet, the richest sources include shellfish, beef, and pork [R].

Supplemental zinc may help control blood sugar in people without the protective SLC30A8 alleles.

Exercise

Physical exercise increased zinc circulating in the bloodstream of diabetic rats, suggesting a potential benefit for people without the protective SLC30A8 alleles [R].

Physical activity is a great way to manage blood glucose levels, and it gets more effective with increased intensity and duration. Muscle activity burns glucose for energy and makes cells more sensitive to insulin [R, R, R, R, R].

Physical exercise may help increase circulating zinc in the bloodstream and decrease blood sugar, which would be beneficial for those without beneficial SLC30A8 alleles.

Jasmine Foster

BSc, BEd

Jasmine received her BS from McGill University and her BEd from Vancouver Island University.

Jasmine loves helping people understand their brains and bodies, a passion that grew out of her dual background in biology and education. From the chem lab to the classroom, everyone has the right to learn and make informed decisions about their health.

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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