Binding bead protein, a “booster” of cardiovascular complications in diabetes
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If you have diabetes, you are more likely to have a variety of other complications, such as heart disease and high blood pressure.
A protein in the blood called binding bead protein helps protect patients from some heart-related complications of diabetes. But whether it functions properly depends on the DNA, or genes.
Some studies have looked at why some people with diabetes have problems with their hearts and arteries, and others do not. There appears to be a significant association between these disorders and binding beads of protein.
Protective proteins
The liver produces binding bead protein, which is found in the plasma, the watery part of the blood. Binding bead protein is an antioxidant, which means it protects the body from damage caused by certain chemical reactions. The body produces more binding bead protein when there is an injury, infection, or inflammation.
Hemoglobin carries iron in red blood cells. When these cells reach the end of their natural lifespan, they break down, and the broken down components enter the bloodstream. The broken down components of hemoglobin can damage blood vessels.
The role of binding bead protein is to absorb the broken down components of hemoglobin before they affect the blood vessels.
Binding bead protein and the risk of heart disease
A gene controls binding bead protein, and there are two types of these genes. One gene is inherited from each parent, so the gene for binding bead protein can be either type 1 or type 2, or contain both types. A specific combination of genes is called a genotype. Abnormalities can occur when there is both diabetes and the 2-2 (type 2 from both parents) genotype.
The type 2-2 binding bead protein does not remove the hemoglobin molecule as well as the other types of bead protein, and may cause other problems that seem to prevent the function of “good” cholesterol (which functions to lower overall cholesterol levels).
Studies have shown that for people with diabetes, individuals with the 2-2 genotype are more likely to have heart-related problems than those with the 1-1 or 2-1 genotype. This is true for both type 1 and type 2 diabetics.
Other studies have found that the 2-2 genotype may also put people with type 1 diabetes at higher risk for kidney failure. And kidney disease can affect heart health.
What can you do for yourself?
DNA testing is the only way to tell what kind of binding bead protein is present. Ask your doctor if you should get tested yourself.
Knowing which problems you are more likely to have with your heart and blood vessels allows you to control other factors that can contribute to these problems, such as blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
Here is a list of specific ways to control these factors.
- Quit smoking.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Exercise daily when possible.
- Reduce your intake of saturated fat, cholesterol, and salt.
- Increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
If lifestyle changes alone are not enough to prevent related conditions, talk to your doctor about medications to lower blood pressure and keep your cholesterol and blood sugar within healthy limits.
Vitamin E may also help. Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant, and some studies suggest that it may help with problems associated with 2-2 binding bead protein that may be triggered in people with diabetes. However, it is important not to self-administer vitamin E unless your doctor agrees, and if you are not of the 2-2 genotype, antioxidant supplements may do more harm than good.