EVOLUTION OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASE

EVOLUTION OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASE

Abstract

            Evolution is the transformation in the genetic composition and is mostly inheritable in the population over a long period. The scientist explains evolution into two categories which include macroevolution and microevolution. Macro evolution explains more large-scale changes that occur over a long period, for instance, the emergence of new species. Micro evolution describes the small changes which over a short period. This kind of evolution may only lead to the transformation of a small number within the members of a certain species. One of the most confusing ideologies about evolution is that it is a gradual process targeting perfection. Evolution works over a long period to eliminate errors and defects. The natural selection is watchmaker of evolution. Evolution is reflected as the increasing changes in species and population all time. Survival of the fittest an emerging term that depicts the process of natural selection and a mechanism that propels change in evolution; Natural selection facilitates by offering individuals who are better adapted to a given set of environmental conditions significance over those that are not in addition to adjustments. Survival of the fittest usually makes one think of the smartest, strongest and biggest individuals being the leaders, but in a biological perspective, evolutionary fitness discusses the efforts to reproduce and survive in a particular environment. This paper explains the evolution of non-communicable disease. The public health sector should be equipped with this knowledge in the management of non -communicable diseases which occur after gene mutation in our bodies. These gene mutations may occur due to the effect of the surrounding environment

Introduction

The fast ever-changing frequency in occurrence of non-communicable diseases cases is globally alarming. These diseases include cancer, sickle cell anemia, and poor mental health — diabetes and obesity. Medical and biological researches have revealed out that increased frequency of non-communicable diseases occurs due to evolution. This happens in both our bodies and in our surrounding environment. Evolution leads to change in climate which later leads to the evolution of genetic composition in efforts to match the adverse conditions. Change of climate conditions leads to the emergence of non-communicable diseases such as heart diseases, some cancers such as sickle cell anemia and respiratory problems. Most diseases occur after some complex gene mutation.(Han et al, 2017)

A person may not be born with a specific ailment, but he or she might develop it at a certain period during his lifetime. This type of evolution ideology is called genetic predisposition. Scientist and health world organizations have done some extensive researches and studies on non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, asthma and heart diseases. In some instances like cancer, people are born genetic genes which need little alteration to cause ailments in the body. Health habits and lifestyle provoke these genes to undergo mutation hence leading to these diseases.(Jakovljevic et al, 2016)

Evolution of Noncommunicable Diseases

The ideology of disease evolution argues out that, for the influence of diseases on human development, there must be the presence of the inherited disorders and the external disease-causing organisms. According to Darwin’s theory, the evolution may sometime favor the evolution of undesirable characteristics and genetic ailments. If gene characteristics do not affect the possessor’s health and assist them to leave more descendants during their prime of life, this is natural selection.(Castilho et al 2016) These genes may sometimes cut these people merciless after they have passed their reproductive periods

Sickle cell and fauvism evolution

A good example is a gene that produces sickle cell anemia. A person possessing two copies of these genes, then he stands a high chance of having this type of sickness. But an individual with one copy of these genes enjoys partial protection against malaria which is a very devastating disease commonly experienced in the tropical regions where the sickle cell anemia originated.(Melaku et al 2016) Similarly to sickle cell anemia, favism occurs when an enzyme deficiency which produces severe anemia when the carrier consumes fava beans. Just like the sickle cell, favism has turned common in different geographical areas within the populations since it protects against malaria.

According to disease evolution ideology, amazingly the two genes perform a similar function of making red blood cells more stressed and fragile hence transforming them into the uncomfortable environment from the malaria parasite.

Evolution of Hemochromatosis

Evolution experts have already provided another ideal example of evolving diseases called the Hemochromatosis. As such, this is a genetic disease that emanates from toxic substances of irons which have accumulated in the body for a quite long period. Luckily, there exists a successful treatment plan for old-fashioned bloodletting. It entails pressuring out the excess iron from the body through the blood vessels. Similarly, to favism, hemochromatosis is very common in certain ethnic populations, and this raises alarms on the question a uniform harmful disorder could have been modified by natural selection. Through evolution ideology point of view, these genes have acquired competitive advantage for survival through acquiring a set undesired characteristic which fits them best for survival.

Researchers and biological have found out that iron is a vital nutrient not just for us but for various species within the infectious bacteria group. During the moments the body is under attack, some parts of the immune system, responds by deploying natural chelating proteins that combine with iron and removes from the body. As it is taken out hemochromatosis increases the concentration of iron in some organs while reducing the level of iron in disease-fighting white blood cells. White blood cells become more effective against disease-causing organisms such those of the plagues and tuberculosis.(Arena et al, 2016)

The emergence of diabetes due to evolution

Some health experts and researches have presented the theory that diabetes may emerge to evolution. These scientists argued out that diabetes might have emerged from an adaptive response to an ice age commonly known as the young dryas which happens approximately 13,000 years ago. As proof, they provide a remarkable example of the American wood frog. This tiny creature survives the winter through freezing to a solid state. The frog thaws out later and picks it life up again when the spring starts. American wood frog achieves through doubling the sugar quantities within its blood which functions as a natural ant freezer hence preventing the harmful ice crystal from forming and bursting the cells membranes and blood vessels. Here the scientists use the same argument that diabetes might have emerged to perform similar functions in the humans of providing partial protection against frostbite during the cold season.(Zhaing et al 2017)

Evolution in noto-thenoid fish

Mostly genes emerge from duplication, divergence and exon shifting and sequencing, but it is impressive with notothenioid fish whereby its genes were cobbled together from a particular DNA of no similar or related function. These fish have acquired a new anti-freeze glycol-protein (AFGP) gene from a now -coded DNA. Earlier some scientist had made some several types of research and discerned that the freezing resistance in the Anta arctic freezing fish was brought by the blood serum glycol proteins which reduced their freezing temperature lower than the sub-zero seas surrounding them. These proteins work to prevent the growth of ice crystals

The AFGP gene from the Anta Arctic notothenioid fish was derived from gene encoding of pancreatic trypsinogen. The similarity of these two genes is not simply one of duplication divergent evolution, but it is a process which concerned with molecular evolution for some time. It is believed that the gene encoding of the AFGP gene which has the ice-binding function is derived from addition and iteration of a small portion covering the boundary between the first intron and the second exon of the trypsinogen gene. This newly formed segment is then enlarged and duplicated by replication to produce 41 iterated segments. The determinant AFGP gene is retained as its birthmark with sequences at the bot sides which are similar and exact to trypsinogen. Both ends of this gene encode certain peptides which are used for secretion from the pancreas to digestive tract. The modified AFGP gene is used for preventing freezing in intestinal fluids(Milovanovic et al, 2015)

A closer look at the DNA structure reveals that the open region of the trypsinogen gene is absent in AFGP and there is an expansion of sequence elements. There are a lot of AFGP repeats and iteration and some discontinuity in the intron of homologous trypsinogen. With all this information it is clear that AFGP evolved from trypsinogen, a digestive enzyme. This information can be used in comparison to the emergence of diabetes in human beings

Conclusion

            Noncommunicable diseases are the major causes of death in the contemporary world whereby, who estimates that about 62% of all mortality is associated with these diseases. Human evolution and environmental mismatch are risks factors associated with non-communicable diseases. The public health sector in conjunction with the federal government should develop health policies promoting a healthy lifestyle to make sure those who have gene composition related to communicable diseases are safe

References

Arena, R., Lavie, C. J., Hivert, M. F., Williams, M. A., Briggs, P. D., & Guazzi, M. (2016). Who will deliver comprehensive healthy lifestyle interventions to combat non-communicable disease? Introducing the healthy lifestyle practitioner discipline. Expert review of cardiovascular therapy, 14(1), 15-22.

Castilho, J. L., Shepherd, B. E., Koethe, J., Turner, M., Bebawy, S., Logan, J., … & Sterling, T. R. (2016). CD4/CD8 ratio, age, and risk of serious non-communicable diseases in HIV-infected adults on antiretroviral therapy. AIDS (London, England), 30(6), 899.

Han, M., Shi, X. M., Cai, C., Zhang, Y., & Xu, W. H. (2017). Evolution of non-communicable disease prevention and control in China. Global health promotion, 1757975917739621.

Jakovljevic, M. B., & Milovanovic, O. (2015). Growing burden of non-communicable diseases in the emerging health markets: the case of BRICS. Frontiers in public health, 3, 65.

Melaku, Y. A., Temesgen, A. M., Deribew, A., Tessema, G. A., Deribe, K., Sahle, B. W., … & Seid, O. (2016). The impact of dietary risk factors on the burden of non-communicable diseases in Ethiopia: findings from the Global Burden of Disease study 2013. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 13(1), 122.