Abstract

In developing countries there has been a rapid increase in the number of cases ofmetabolic disorders associated to human lifestyle. A rich diet of refined foods, poor inmicronutrients has a direct correlation with human metabolic disorders and other diseases. Theaim of this study is to reassess the role of indigenous foods, its richness in micronutrients and itsre-inclusion in the diet of local man. This cultural factor could minimize the negative impactcaused by the lack of micronutrients such as the folates in human health. The Avocado (Perseaamericana Mill.) fruit is native of Central America and is an ancestral food that bear folates. Wereview the synthesis of folates pathway in plants, cultural and economic importance of the fruit ofavocado as ancestral food of the inhabitants of the land bridge that links both the North and SouthAmerican sub-continents. The important micronutrients such as folates in relieving somemetabolic disorders and syndromes associated with human lifestyle are also reviewed in thisstudy.

Key words: Folates, Persea Americana, micronutrients