Dietary quality may offset genetic cholesterol risk in Asian Indians

A study published in the journal PLOS ONE suggests that poor dietary quality can amplify the genetic predisposition to high cholesterol levels among Asian Indian adults. Researchers from the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, and the University of Reading analyzed data from 1,020 adults aged 25–80 participating in the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study.

The research focused on three genetic variants within the TCF7L2 and FTO genes. Findings indicated that individuals with a high genetic risk who consumed poor-quality diets had significantly higher total and LDL cholesterol levels. Conversely, those consuming medium- or high-quality diets showed no significant difference in cholesterol levels between high- and low-genetic-risk groups, suggesting that better nutrition may offset inherited risks.

This research arrives as India faces a rising burden of cardiometabolic diseases, including diabetes and dyslipidaemia. The study highlights the critical interaction between genetics and lifestyle, with co-author Dr. V Mohan noting that “our genes need not determine our metabolic destiny.”