Gene Nutrient Interactions and Evolution

Author: Soloway, Paul D.

Source: Nutrition Reviews, Volume 64, Supplement 1, May 2006 , pp. 52-54(3)

Publisher: International Life Sciences Institute

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $37.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

Nutritional requirements are not the same for all individuals. While there is generally a common requirement for the types of nutrients needed for survival, the quantities needed vary. In several instances, the differences in nutrient requirements can be attributed to specific genetic differences among individuals. When higher nutrient needs associated with certain genotypes are not met, there will be selection against those genotypes in the population. When these needs are met, the selection against such genotypes will be lifted and the alleles that confer high nutrient requirements can persist in the population. In cases where these alleles confer some selective advantage, high levels of the required nutrient can actually lead to an expanded frequency of those alleles in a population. In such cases, nutrient availability can provide a selective pressure that drives genotypic shifts in a population. Some of the data demonstrating the potential of nutrient levels to affect genetic evolution of a population are reviewed here.

Keywords: EVOLUTION; GENE-NUTRIENT INTERACTIONS; NUTRIENT AVAILABLILITY; NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1301/nr.2006.may.S52-S54

Publication date: 2006-05-01

More about this publication?

This journal is now published by Blackwell Publishing. Current issues of this journal are available here. Backfile content is in the process of being reloaded by Blackwell and will shortly be removed from this page and available only from the Blackwell link above.
Information for Authors
Subscribe to this Title
Translation Request
ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites