Diabetes is an ailment that is a consequence of uncontrolled levels of insulin in the body. In this regards, the two types of diabetes differ in terms of their reaction to insulin. Type 1 diabetes occurs as a result of the body’s attack on its own immune system thereby providing a hostile environment for cells responsible for the development of insulin. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes occurs as a result of the production of insufficient amounts of insulin as required by body organs. As such, the inadequate levels are supplemented by medication such as insulin injections or tablets.
Twins are recognized for the similarity in their gene structures. As such, it is expected that individuals in this category exhibit similar biological characteristics, apart from physical attributes. Therefore, it comes as a surprise that Marc and Dan, both identical twins, where Dan has type 2 diabetes while his brother is healthy. In this regard, some twins may have one individual with diabetes while the other is completely healthy. I would explain this situation in terms of the differences in fat tissue compositions. This consideration is supported by Nilsson who indicates that twins provide an accurate assessment for the assessment of type 2 diabetes (Nilsson, 2014). In this regard, Nilsson explains that fats or lipids often release hormones in order to control the metabolism of different body organs (Nilsson, 2014). In instances where epigenetic changes in the DNA were observed, the association of development of type 2 diabetes was made. Nilsson defines epigenetic changes as alterations resulting from environmental or lifestyle considerations, which lead to the function of the gene (Nilsson, 2014). These genes are often identified in DNA structures. For this reason, despite identical twins having the same DNA, epigenetic factors can affect individuals’ genes and hence lead to their vulnerability to developing diabetes. This is because the resulting DNA changes from either lifestyle or environmental factors may lead to changes in fat tissues in the body, hence causing type 2 diabetes.
Nilsson defines DNA methylation as a chemical process that affects the functions of the body’s genes (Nilsson, 2014). In this regard, within the gene composition are methyl groups which affect the gene’s structure. These changes are often as a result of lifestyle and/or environmental considerations. In this case, identical twins might have DNA methylation differences hence explaining the reason as to why one twin might have diabetes and the other is completely healthy. In addition, Nilsson indicates that some identical twins might have different genetic codes that may be characterized by having either less or more codes in their DNA sequences in comparison with the other twin (Nilsson, 2014). This situation presents another aspect that explains differences in diabetes prevalence between identical twins.
In addition, Dan does not notice any type 2 diabetes-associated symptoms because it takes a considerably longer period before the changes manifest in the body. This gradual process may be as a result of body dynamics. In this regard, since type 2 diabetes is associated with insulin resistance, the body might take a longer time before these symptoms are felt in the body. In other cases, it may take even years before such symptoms show unless adequate medical tests are carried out to prove the existence of the ailment in an individual’s body. One of the factors that contribute significantly to the development of type 2 diabetes is diet. For this reasons, the carbohydrate food group is considered detrimental in such instances as the conversion of energy by body processes leads to the accumulation of sugar in the body. Without proper control by the body’s insulin levels, the body becomes vulnerable to developing the illness.
Reference
Nilsson, E. (2014). Study of identical twins reveal type 2 diabetes clues. Lund University. Retrieved from http://www.ludc.med.lu.se/news-archive/study-of-identical-twins-reveal-type-2-diabetes-clues/
