Vitamin A and the BCOM01 gene

Vitamin A (retinol) is a fat-soluble vitamin that is made up of a group of retinoids encompasses retinyl esters, retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, and oxidated and conjugated forms of both retinol and retinal. Vitamin A has a number of important functions in the body. One is vision, another important function if regulation of growth and differentiation of cells, particularly those cells involved in innate and acquired immune function.  Beta carotene is a major dietary source of Vitamin A and up to 80% of dietary Vitamin A is derived from cartenoid rich plants, however some people cannot convert beta-carotene to active Vitamin A due to genetic polymorphisms.

It has been estimated that up to 45% of the population can have a polymorphism in the B-carotene 15,15’-monoxoygenase (BCM01) gene which can cause significant alterations in beta-carotene metabolism.

Key notes:

• Dietary factors – given that much of the beta carotene we consume comes from fruits and vegetables; this will influence the gene. So is there a limit? She we be counselling patients with this polymorphism to avoid high dose beta carotene foods?
• If Vitamin A deficiency occurs then we may have issues with vision, immune function and skin disorders
• Which populations have a higher frequency of this polymorphism.

But how do we measure it? How accurate is it and if we can’t measure it then what signs and symptoms can we look out for?

Join Carolyn for this enlightening webinar on Vitamin A and the BCOM01 gene.