Amish Gene Mutation May Help Other Seniors

Recently, an article hit the pages of the New York Times describing how those of Amish heritage have a rare gene mutation that helps to protect them from Type 2 diabetes and even helps them to live a higher quality of life for longer than the average American. This mutation is not new–it was first identified in 1991. However, the fact that the mutation comes with such great benefit is a surprise. The only known impact until this study was the fact that it causes a lower level of blood clotting.

 

Scientists have had suspicions about the mutation for quite a while. It causes lower levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and about 5 percent of the Amish population in Berne, Indiana, carries the mutation. When the protein is introduced in lab mice, it causes balding and a higher likelihood of diabetes. This has led to a great interest in the Amish population, and researchers have been studying them for the last two years. Their results were just recently published, and the mainstream media has been captivated by what’s been found.

 

One of the surprising discoveries was that those Amish people who did not have the mutation had a diabetes rate of 7 percent. If they did have the mutation, that rate dropped to 0 percent. This large difference occurred even though there were no differences in the lifestyles between the two segments of the population.

 

On top of all of this, the fact that so many Amish people participated in the study is newsworthy. This group of people tends to be reserved, and something like this alone is enough to make headlines.

 

A gene mutation found in the Amish population might help others live better lives.

 

In the article, it was briefly mentioned that studying how this gene mutation helps Amish individuals may lead to improved therapies and longer lives for other people, too. Obviously, this is a good thing. Diabetes is a serious issue and can cause disability, having a negative impact on the quality of life that elderly individuals face. As we age, we become more and more susceptible to diabetes. If the chances of this can be significantly reduced, people can live longer and healthier lives, on the average.

 

Elderly individuals with diabetes tend to have a whole host of other health issues. It is not uncommon for these folks to have disabilities, and some even need to have limbs amputated because of complications with the disease. Having a loved one with diabetes can be stressful, especially if they are in need of senior care. Arranging for an in-home caregiver is not always easy, especially if you aren’t sure how to pay for that care. Speaking with a professional in the field can help give you guidance. There are a lot of different options out there, and in-home care is certainly not the only type of care that exists. When someone has diabetes, in-home care can be helpful, but it might not necessarily be the most appropriate choice. Be sure to speak to a doctor familiar with your loved one’s situation if you aren’t sure which type of care is going to be most helpful for them.

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