CYP7A1-rs3808607: a single nucleotide polymorphism associated with cholesterol response to functional foods

Many functional foods have been developed which propose to lower circulating cholesterol concentrations, such as plant sterols or β-glucan. However, response to these foods is often highly variable between individuals, with some benefiting from cholesterol lowering and while others do not. One of the potential causes of this inter-individual variability in response could be genetics. This review looks at the associations between the single nucleotide polymorphism rs3808607 in the Cytochrome P450 Family 7 Subfamily A Member 1 (CYP7A1) gene, and variability in the response of circulation cholesterol concentrations following the consumption of various functional foods.