Vitamins & Minerals

Insights in the Postgenomic Era of the Folates, Vitamin B-12, Selenium and Public Policy in Health

Abstract

Perla M Madrigal-Ruiz, Sergio A Ramirez-Garcia, Jareth M Cruz-Bastida, Carlos E Cabrera-Pivara

In this perspective we present the advances in the study of the metabolism of folate, B-12 vitamin and selenium, whose deficiency is closely linked to the metabolic bone disease. However, the genetic variations of both mutation and polymorphism in genes are related to the metabolism of these nutrients and also lead to the development of monogenic and complex diseases. The challenge in the post-genomic era is to establish the genetic profiles related to megalin and selenoproteins in relation to serum levels of these vitamins in order to be analyzed as factors for the prediction and response to treatment of associated diseases. Governments should specifically consider the investment in this area, since the consumption of these vitamin and minerals are very common in food supplements.