Prioritization of Variants for Investigation of Genotype-Directed Nutrition in Human Superpopulations.

Pascal D Nilsson,Martin R Schiller,Henry M Santos,Jacklyn M Newsome

doi:10.3390/ijms20143516

Pascal D Nilsson, Martin R Schiller + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20143516

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Abstract

Dietary guidelines recommended by key health agencies are generally designed for a global population. However, ethnicity affects human disease and environment-gene interactions, including nutrient intake. Historically, isolated human populations with different genetic backgrounds have adapted to distinct environments with varying food sources. Ethnicity is relevant to the interaction of food intake with genes and disease susceptibility; yet major health agencies generally do not recommend food and nutrients codified by population genotypes and their frequencies. In this paper, we have consolidated published nutrigenetic variants and examine their frequencies in human superpopulations to prioritize these variants for future investigation of population-specific genotype-directed nutrition. The nutrients consumed by individuals interact with their genome and may alter disease risk. Herein, we searched the literature, designed a data model, and manually curated hundreds of papers. The resulting database houses 101 variants that reached significance (p < 0.05), from 35 population studies. Nutrigenetic variants associated with modified nutrient intake have the potential to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and several other diseases. Since many nutrigenetic studies have identified a major variant in some populations, we suggest that superpopulation-specific genotype-directed nutrition modifications be prioritized for future study and evaluation. Genotype-directed nutrition approaches to dietary modification have the potential to reduce disease risk in select human populations.

Highlights

As genomics holds promise to transform global health and medicine, there is a growing interest in the relationship between genotype and phenotype
Food-based dietary guidelines are periodically developed by global organizations, especially the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and World Health Organization (WHO)
Multiple entries can come from a study due to multiple variants reaching significance or multiple diet groups accompanying a particular variant within the same study

Summary

Introduction

As genomics holds promise to transform global health and medicine, there is a growing interest in the relationship between genotype and phenotype. Phenotype is derived from both genetic and environmental contributions. The most common environmental influences on phenotype are direct exposure to pathogens and nutrient intake. Food-based dietary guidelines are periodically developed by global organizations, especially the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and World Health Organization (WHO). These organizations play a vital role in shaping food policies and guidelines globally, considering unique cultures, food availability, eating habits, food safety, and other factors for each country

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