Here is an interesting article that I came across recently. It's interesting to see how our genetic makeup determines so much of our health, and great to know that scientists are working so hard to figure these things out!
Genetic link to Crohn's disease found
MONTREAL April 16 (UPI) -- Canadian scientists have identified seven genes or areas associated with an increased risk of contracting Crohn's disease.
The researchers conducting a genome-wide assessment, found three of the seven genes were previously known but four are newly associated with the disease.
Crohn's disease is one of the most common forms of inflammatory bowel disease, affecting 100 to 150 people per 100,000 individuals of European ancestry.
In the study, John Rioux and colleagues at the University of Montreal assessed more than 300,000 genetic variants in individuals with Crohn's disease as well as controls.
The researchers found one gene, ATG16L1, might have a role in the degradation and processing of bacteria by the body's inflammatory response. That is consistent with other evidence that suggests an inappropriate response to bacteria in a person's gut is important in the initiation of Crohn's disease.
The study is reported online in the journal Nature Genetics.
Don't know if any of you have Chron's Disease...
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