Study: Asian Indians may be at higher risk for diabetes

by Sea Stachura, Minnesota Public Radio

Asian Indians may be at higher risk for type two diabetes, because of the way their bodies convert fuel, according to a new Mayo Clinic study.

St. Paul, Minn. — Researchers at the Mayo Clinic say genetics may have something to do with why a larger number of Asian Indians are developing type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes develops typically in adults when their bodies don't produce enough insulin to regulate sugar absorption.

Dr. Sree Nair said urbanized Asian Indians have a much stronger tendency to develop the disease than Northern Europeans. Nair said he compared the absorption rate of insulin and glucose of the two groups.

"Asian Indians are less sensitive to insulin action, number one. Which means the same amount of insulin disposed of much less glucose in Asian Indians than Northern European Americans," explained Dr. Nair.

Nair said he also found that Asian Indians produced more energy from the same amount of food as European Americans.

He said these findings may indicate that Asian Indians are getting diabetes because their bodies have evolved to be insulin-resistant as a way to store energy.