Know Your Genes: AGT “Salt Sensitivity Gene”

by on in DNA and nutrition

The Angiotensinogen (AGT) gene is associated with the synthesis of angiotensinogen, a part of the renin-angiotensin system and a precursor to the hormone angiotensin II. Angiotensin is shown to be associated with narrowing of the blood vessels which may increase blood pressure. Angiotensinogen is also associated with the production of aldosterone, which is associated with the absorption of salt and water in the kidneys.

People with certain variants of this gene are associated with increased production of angiotensinogen, which makes them salt sensitive, with increased retention of sodium in the blood.

 

Does your 23andme, Ancestry DNA, FTDNA raw data have AGT variant information?

CHIP Version AGT SNPs
23andMe (Use your 23andme raw data to know your AGT Variant)
v1 23andme Present
v2 23andme Present
v3 23andme Present
v4 23andme Present
V5 23andme (current chip) Present
AncestryDNA  (Use your ancestry DNA raw data to know your AGT Variant)
v1 ancestry DNA Present
V2 ancestry DNA (current chip) Present
Family Tree DNA  (Use your FTDNA raw data to know your AGT Variant)
OmniExpress microarray chip Present

Association with Salt Sensitivity:

In a study conducted on hypertensive men and women, people with the G variant of the gene were associated with greater blood pressure reduction on low salt intake than people with the A variant.

Genotype

Phenotype

Recommendations
GG

[Limitation]Salt Sensitive

[Limitation]Greater increase in blood pressure on a high salt intake
  • People with a high blood pressure should practice mindful consumption of salt in the diet
  • Packaged soups, potato chips, sauce tend to have higher salt content
  • The adequate intake of salt in the diet is 1600mg which is equal to half a teaspoon of salt per day
AG

Intermediate response to salt intake and blood pressure
AA

[Advantage]Normal Salt Sensitivity

[Advantage]No significant increase in blood pressure in response to high salt diet
  • Ensure optimum intake of salt in the diet

References:

    1. http://hyper.ahajournals.org/content/32/3/402.long
    2. https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/AGT#conditions
    3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angiotensin

[idea]Find out which variation of the gene you carry and more at www.xcode.life[/idea]

“Nutrigenetics, fitness genetics, health genetics are all nascent but rapidly growing areas within human genetics. The information provided herein is based on preliminary scientific studies and it is to be read and understood in that context.”

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