Association of Lactase Persistence Genotypes with High Intake of Dairy Saturated Fat and High Prevalence of Lactase Non-Persistence among the Mexican Population

Abstract

Background/Aim: Lactase (LCT) -13910 C>T and -22018 G>A polymorphisms associated with the lactase non-persistence (LNP)/persistence (LP) phenotypes vary globally. LP has been associated with obesity in Europeans. However, it has not been genetically evaluated in Mexico, a country with admixed population, recent introduction of dairy, and a high prevalence of obesity. Thus, we aimed to determine the distribution of the LCT polymorphisms and their association with the nutritional profile of West Mexico's populations. Methods: Genotyping of 1,196 individuals (natives and mestizos) was carried out by a Taqman allelic discrimination assay. Descriptive statistics and interpopulation analyzes were performed by SPSS, Arlequin, and Structure software. Demographic, anthropometric, biochemical and dietary data were analyzed in 212 mestizos. Results: LNP genotypes mainly prevailed (CC 68.7% and GG 68.2%); both predominated in native Huicholes and Nahuas (>97.7%). Among the mestizos, the LP genotypes were associated with a higher intake of saturated fat (9.9 ± 3.9% vs. 8.5 ± 4.0%, p = 0.018; OR = 2.55, 95% CI 1.29-5.03, p = 0.006) and a daily/more frequent consumption of dairy (88.8 vs. 78.0%; p = 0.049) than LNP genotypes. Conclusion: The LNP trait was predominant in Mexicans with a major Amerindian ancestry. A daily consumption of dairy was associated with a higher intake of saturated fat in LP individuals.

A Regionalized Genome-Based Mexican Diet Improves Anthropometric and Metabolic Parameters in Subjects at Risk for Obesity-Related Chronic Diseases

“…The traditional Mexican diet improved insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR), lowered serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), and tended to reduce concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) under conditions of weight stability, while no difference in inflammatory response was revealed. However, that diet incorporated full-fat milk, which was one of the foods discarded in our study due to the high prevalence of the lactase non-persistence genotype in Mexico [15].…”

“…In particular, the regionalized GENOMEX diet was designed considering some DRAG polymorphisms [9] that in modern dietary and lifestyle environments have been associated with increased risk of unhealthy conditions [10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Accordingly, we assumed that carriers of the adaptive alleles might require nutritional needs related to the main features of the pre-Hispanic diet (i.e., milk-free, scarce in animal meat, low in saturated fat and cholesterol, with low glycemic index and rich in antioxidants, fiber, and micronutrients such as folates due to the abundance of starchy foods, legumes, vegetables, and fruits).…”

“…Furthermore, a preceding analysis of DRAG polymorphisms in Mexican populations showed a high prevalence of adaptive alleles (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase-MTHFR 677T, ATP-binding cassette transporter A1-ABCA1 230C, apolipoprotein E -APOE ε4, and a salivary amylase 1-AMY1 diploid copy number ≥ 6) mainly in NA groups followed by admixed populations (Mestizo) with an intermediate NA ancestry, while a very low frequency of the European lactase-persistence LCT-13910T adaptive allele was observed [9]. These findings suggest that carriers of the adaptive alleles might require nutritional needs concordant with the pre-Hispanic diet and practices to prevent current disease-related risks [10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. In line with this hypothesis is the fact that polymorphism-disease associations are not replicated when studying populations that follow their traditional diet and lifestyle [17,18].…”

Tailoring Nutritional Advice for Mexicans Based on Prevalence Profiles of Diet-Related Adaptive Gene Polymorphisms

“…The Mestizo population comprise a variable proportion of AM, European (EUR) and African ancestry depending on the geographic region [ 21 ]. For instance, Central West (CW) Mexico harbors a heterogeneous population, with ethnic groups having a high amount of AM ancestry and Mestizos having an intermediate AM ancestry or predominantly EUR ancestry (Mestizos-EUR) [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. This recent genetic admixture explains the presence in Mexicans of DRAG polymorphisms identified in other populations worldwide.…”

Genes, emotions and gut microbiota: The next frontier for the gastroenterologist

“…Recent studies in the Mexican population have revealed a higher prevalence of risk alleles of sweet (TAS1R2)[107], fat (CD36)[108,109] and bitter (TAS2R38)[110] taste receptors, lipid-transporting proteins (APO e2 and e4, FABP2)[111], lactose intolerance (LCT-13910 C>T)[112] and neurotransmitter transporters (DRD2 Taq1)[113]. These alleles have been associated with metabolic abnormalities, obesity and alcohol abuse disorders, aggravated by the consumption of a hepatopathogenic and obesogenic diet[114].…”