The natural carbohydrate trehalose, or “mushroom sugar,” is found in mushrooms, lichens, algae, some plants and yeast. Its main function is to protect cells from damage caused by dehydration, cold and oxidation.
🔬 Trehalose can be absorbed through the intestinal wall only after treatment with the trehalase enzyme. A deficiency of the enzyme causes pain, bloating, diarrhea and general malaise.
🧬 Researchers from the Medical Genetic Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences @mgnccenter, Institute of General Genetics named after. N.I. Vavilov RAS @iogenras, National Research University Higher School of Economics and the Institute of Anthropology of Moscow State University found that the production of trehalase is influenced by the human genotype.
🔘Scientists analyzed 1068 DNA samples from residents of the northern and Arctic regions of Russia and found that the total risk of trehalase deficiency in some populations of indigenous northerners can reach 60–70%.
⚡️ According to researchers, this is important to consider when diagnosing and treating eating disorders and obesity, especially in children living in these areas.
🔗 More details on the RAS website.