A study of a closely knit family with several members suffering from a rare illness is providing what researchers say may be important clues to the cause of diseases ranging from high blood pressure to high cholesterol and even obesity and insulin resistance. Starting with a woman suffering from low levels of magnesium in her blood, researchers found several family members with the same problem. They located a previously unknown genetic mutation that linked family members with several ailments in common, including high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
