A nutrigenetic approach to examine the relationship between vitamin B12 status and cardio‐metabolic traits in multiple ethnic groups – findings from the GeNuIne Collaboration

S Surendran,K S Vimaleswaran

doi:10.1111/nbu.12494

Abstract

AbstractLow vitamin B12 concentration has been shown to be a risk factor for cardio‐metabolic traits in numerous observational studies; however, the relationship has remained inconsistent. It is possible that certain genotypes jointly contribute to cardio‐metabolic diseases and vitamin B12 deficiency, and these may be modulated by dietary factors. The main objective of this article is to summarise the findings from the GeNuIne (Gene‐Nutrient Interactions) Collaboration on the effect of gene–nutrient interactions on vitamin B12 concentrations and cardio‐metabolic disease risk factors in population‐based studies from different ethnic groups. Interactions between vitamin B12‐related single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and protein energy intake (%) on waist circumference (Pinteration =0.002) and body fat percentage (Pinteraction =0.034) were observed in Sri Lankan and Indonesian populations, respectively. In the study in Brazilian adolescents, the metabolic and vitamin B12‐related SNPs showed a significant interaction with dietary carbohydrate and protein intakes on oxidised low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and homocysteine concentrations, respectively. In the Asian Indian population, an association between obesity‐related SNPs and vitamin B12 concentrations (p = 0.018) was observed. In summary, these studies in multiple ethnic groups show that the association between genetically low vitamin B12 concentrations and cardio‐metabolic traits may be modified by dietary intake. Further studies utilising larger sample sizes are needed to confirm or refute our findings.

Highlights

Vitamin B12 is an essential water soluble micronutrient, which participates as a cofactor for the synthesis of DNA, fatty acids and myelin (Smith et al 2018)
It is possible that certain genotypes jointly contribute to cardio-metabolic diseases and vitamin B12 deficiency, and these may be modulated by dietary factors
The main objective of this article is to summarise the findings from the GeNuIne (Gene-Nutrient Interactions) Collaboration on the effect of gene–nutrient interactions on vitamin B12 concentrations and cardio-metabolic disease risk factors in population-based studies from different ethnic groups

Summary

Introduction

Vitamin B12 is an essential water soluble micronutrient, which participates as a cofactor for the synthesis of DNA, fatty acids and myelin (Smith et al 2018). It has long been known that vegans, lacto-ovo vegetarians and older individuals are at risk of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 deficiency can be caused by having inadequate amounts of intrinsic factor (IF), gastric atrophy, intestinal disease, gastric surgery, bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, alcohol consumption, a tapeworm infection, drug–nutrient interactions and some genetic defects (Institute of Medicine 2000; Allen 2008; O’Leary & Samman 2010). Alarmingly high prevalence rates of low plasma vitamin B12 status have been recognised to exist in certain regions of the world including the Indian subcontinent, Mexico, Central and South America and selected areas in Africa (Stabler & Allen 2004)

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Conclusion