G6PD

Fact Checked

Protein:

Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase

SNP ID:

A466G
G292A

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is an enzyme which supplies energy to cells and is encoded for by the G6PD gene. G6PD forms part of the pentose phosphate pathway, which is ultimately responsible for maintaining levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). NADPH is a co-enzyme which is required by the energy generating pathways present within the mitochondria of cells but it has also been shown to demonstrate antioxidant abilities as well ¹.

G6PD has been shown to be the rate limiting step within the pentose phosphate pathway, meaning that any alterations to its function can have a wide impact on the availability of NADPH, which can then impact on energy production and antioxidant capacity within a cell.

A466G

Science Grade :

A-

Longevity

rsID Number	Major Allele	Minor Allele	Minor Allele Frequency (%)	Major Amino Acid	Minor Amino Acid
rs1050829	a	g	3	Asn	Asp

Risk Description

The risk ‘G’ allele of A466G is associated with G6PD deficiency, whereby carriers are at risk of developing anemia when under dietary or environmental oxidative stress ^2–4, due to a reduced capacity to clear oxidising agens. G6PD deficiency is one of the most common enzymatic deficiencies globally, with its prevalence attributed to certain beneficial effects associated with blood borne disorders such as malaria ⁴.

Interestingly carriers of the ‘G’ allele of A466G are also highly likely to carry the risk ‘A’ allele of G292A ⁵.

Indirect Nutrients:^*

Ingredient	Active Ingredient	Effect
Glutathione		G6PD deficiency is associated with a reduced production of the potent antioxidant glutathione; meaning that cells, and red blood cells in particular, are at increased risk of oxidative damage when the body is under oxidative stress ⁶. Supplementation with glutathione may therefore prove beneficial to those carrying the risk ‘G’ allele of A466G.

Ingredient

Active Ingredient

Effect

Glutathione

G6PD deficiency is associated with a reduced production of the potent antioxidant glutathione; meaning that cells, and red blood cells in particular, are at increased risk of oxidative damage when the body is under oxidative stress ⁶.

Supplementation with glutathione may therefore prove beneficial to those carrying the risk ‘G’ allele of A466G.

Nutritional Contraindications:^*

Ingredient	Active Ingredient	Effect
Vitamin C	Ascorbic Acid	The risk ‘G’ allele of A466G is associated with anemia, through red blood cell loss to oxidative damage caused by G6PD deficiency, following high doses of vitamin C ^7,8. It is unlikely these levels will be reached under normal supplementation, however care should be taken if IV supplementation is being considered.
Fava Beans		Fava beans have long been associated with G6PD deficiency, giving rise to its alternative name of ‘favism’ ⁹. It is thought that fava beans are a particularly rich source of potential dietary oxidants, which can damage of red blood cells in those with G6PD deficiency. Therefore, those carrying the risk ‘G’ allele of A466G should consider avoiding fava, or other similar beans.

Ingredient

Active Ingredient

Effect

Vitamin C

Ascorbic Acid

The risk ‘G’ allele of A466G is associated with anemia, through red blood cell loss to oxidative damage caused by G6PD deficiency, following high doses of vitamin C ^7,8. It is unlikely these levels will be reached under normal supplementation, however care should be taken if IV supplementation is being considered.

Fava Beans

Fava beans have long been associated with G6PD deficiency, giving rise to its alternative name of ‘favism’ ⁹. It is thought that fava beans are a particularly rich source of potential dietary oxidants, which can damage of red blood cells in those with G6PD deficiency.

Therefore, those carrying the risk ‘G’ allele of A466G should consider avoiding fava, or other similar beans.

Discuss this information with your doctor before taking any course of action.

Citations:

G292A

Science Grade :

A-

Longevity

rsID Number	Major Allele	Minor Allele	Minor Allele Frequency (%)	Major Amino Acid	Minor Amino Acid
rs1050828	g	a	1	Val	Met

Risk Description

The risk ‘A’ allele of G292A is associated with G6PD deficiency, one of the most common enzymatic deficiencies globally ⁴. Carriers are at an elevated risk of developing anemia when under dietary or environmental oxidative stress ^2–4, due to a reduced capacity to clear oxidative stressors.

Interestingly carriers of the ‘A’ allele of G292A are also highly likely to carry the risk ‘G’ allele of A466G ⁵.

Indirect Nutrients:^*

Ingredient	Active Ingredient	Effect
		A major feature of G6PD deficiency is reduced production of the vital antioxidant glutathione; meaning that cells, and red blood cells in particular, are more susceptible to oxidative damage ⁶. Supplementation with glutathione may therefore prove beneficial to those carrying the risk ‘A’ allele of G292A.

Ingredient

Active Ingredient

Effect

A major feature of G6PD deficiency is reduced production of the vital antioxidant glutathione; meaning that cells, and red blood cells in particular, are more susceptible to oxidative damage ⁶.

Supplementation with glutathione may therefore prove beneficial to those carrying the risk ‘A’ allele of G292A.

Nutritional Contraindications:^*

Ingredient	Active Ingredient	Effect
Vitamin C	Ascorbic Acid	The risk ‘A’ allele of G292A is associated with anemia, through red blood cell loss to oxidative damage caused by G6PD deficiency, following high doses of vitamin C ^7,8. It is unlikely these levels will be reached under normal supplementation, however care should be taken if IV supplementation is being considered.
Fava Beans		Fava beans have long been associated with G6PD deficiency, giving rise to its alternative name of ‘favism’ ⁹. It is thought that fava beans are a particularly rich source of potential dietary oxidants, which can damage of red blood cells in those with G6PD deficiency. Therefore, those carrying the risk ‘A’ allele of G292A should consider avoiding fava, or other similar beans.

Ingredient

Active Ingredient

Effect

Vitamin C

Ascorbic Acid

The risk ‘A’ allele of G292A is associated with anemia, through red blood cell loss to oxidative damage caused by G6PD deficiency, following high doses of vitamin C ^7,8. It is unlikely these levels will be reached under normal supplementation, however care should be taken if IV supplementation is being considered.

Fava Beans

Therefore, those carrying the risk ‘A’ allele of G292A should consider avoiding fava, or other similar beans.

Discuss this information with your doctor before taking any course of action.

Risk Description

Indirect Nutrients:*

Nutritional Contraindications:*

Citations:

Risk Description

Indirect Nutrients:*

Nutritional Contraindications:*

Citations:

Indirect Nutrients:^*

Nutritional Contraindications:^*

Indirect Nutrients:^*

Nutritional Contraindications:^*