Research

Energy balance

The Trp64Arg missense mutation in the beta3-adrenergic receptor gene is associated with an earlier onset of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in Pima Indians, specifically in those homozygous for the mutation.

If you have the Trp64Arg mutation in your beta3-adrenergic receptor gene (particularly if you are homozygous), you are genetically predisposed to develop type 2 diabetes at a younger age. This is linked to a slightly lower resting metabolic rate. You should prioritize regular metabolic screening and focus on maintaining energy balance through diet and physical activity to counteract this genetic tendency, rather than assuming diabetes is inevitable.

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Among Pimas, the frequency of the Trp64Arg mutation was similar in nondiabetic and diabetic subjects. However, in subjects homozygous for the mutation the mean (SD) age at the onset of NIDDM was significantly lower (36+/-10 years) than in Trp64Arg heterozygotes (40+/-10 years) or normal homozygotes (41+/-11 years; P<0.02).
Jeremy Walston et al. · New England Journal of Medicine · 1995

Why this rating

The study uses a large, well-defined population (Pima Indians) with rigorous genetic and metabolic measurements, though it is an observational association study rather than a randomized trial.

Source

Time of Onset of Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus and Genetic Variation in the β<sub>3</sub>-Adrenergic–Receptor Gene

Jeremy Walston et al. · New England Journal of Medicine · 1995

DOI 10.1056/nejm199508103330603

cohort · n=642Cited 596×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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