n−3 Fatty acids and cardiovascular disease risk factors among the Inuit of Nunavik

Dewailly, Éric; Blanchet, Carole; Lemieux, Simone; Sauvé, Louise; Gingras, Suzanne; Ayotte, Pierre; Holub, Bruce J.

doi:10.1093/ajcn/74.4.464

Cited by 227 publications

(189 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…49 It has been suggested that traditional diet rich in fish and marine mammals was associated with a favorable level of serum lipids among Aboriginal people. [50][51][52] A recently published study in Greenland Inuit 50 reported that serum lipids were significantly associated with the degree of westernization. HDL cholesterol decreased and triglyceride increased with westernization.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics and prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among three ethnic groups in Canada

et al. 2005

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Objective: To compare the characteristics and prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Native Indians, Inuit, and non-Aboriginal Canadians. Methods: The study was based on four cross-sectional studies conducted in the late 1980s and early 1990s involving three ethnic groups living in contiguous regions in central Canada: Oji-Cree Indians from several reserves in northern Ontario and Manitoba, Inuit from the Keewatin region of the Northwest Territories, and non-Aboriginal Canadians (predominantly of European heritage) in the province of Manitoba. The MetS was identified among adult subjects according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) definition. Prevalence rates were standardized to the 1991 Canadian national population. Results: The age-standardized prevalence of the MetS varied by ethnic group, ranging from as high as 45% among Native Indian women to as low as 8% among Inuit men. Compared with Canadians of European origin, Indians had a worse metabolic profile, while Inuit had a better metabolic profile except for a high rate of abdominal obesity. The NCEP criteria in identifying individuals with the MetS were compared to those of the World Health Organization (WHO) in a subset of subjects with the requisite laboratory data. There was moderate agreement between the NCEP and WHO definitions, with a kappa value of 0.63 (95% confidence interval 0.56-0.70). Conclusions:The results indicate that the MetS is prevalent in diverse ethnic groups in Canada but varies in the pattern of phenotypic expression. Given the diverse nature of these populations, careful consideration should be given to developing culturally appropriate community-based prevention strategies aimed at reducing the frequency of this syndrome.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics and prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among three ethnic groups in Canada

et al. 2005

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“…Dietary transition away from traditional foods, which are rich in various nutrients (5), is one critical factor linking the lifestyle changes with the shifting pattern in health and disease. In that regard, alterations in dietary fat intake are of interest given their importance in the development of chronic disease risk (6,7).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The protective effects of HUFA n-3 are attributed to their various physiological functions, including their maintenance of normal biomembrane structure (3) and function and precursors of eicosanoids (24); their key regu-HUFA n-3 status and Canadian Inuit lation of genes involved in lipid homeostasis (3); and their anti-arrhythmic action (5,6 HUFA n-3 status and Canadian Inuit…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Highly unsaturated n-3 fatty acids status of Canadian Inuit: International Polar Year Inuit Health Survey, 2007–2008

Zhou

Kubow

Egeland

2011

International Journal of Circumpolar Health

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Objectives. Previous studies suggest that dietary patterns and the extent of reliance upon traditional food vary among Inuit communities. Inuit traditional foods are an important source of nutrients such as highly unsaturated n-3 fatty acids (HUFA n-3), whose beneficial effects include protection against ischemic heart disease. Dietary transition is occurring with younger generations consuming less traditional foods and more market foods with low nutrient density. Utilizing erythrocyte membrane fatty acid composition as an indicator of body HUFA n-3 status, which reflects dietary intake levels of traditional Inuit foods, we explored the regional and age variability of highly unsaturated n-3 fatty acids (HUFA n-3) in the International Polar Year Inuit Health Survey. Study design. Cross-sectional health survey. Methods. Participants were recruited through random sampling of households. Fatty acid data were available among 2,200 adults (≥18 yr). Results. HUFA n-3 levels in the Eastern Arctic were significantly higher than in the Western Arctic, with Nunatsiavut (northern Labrador) and Baffin showing the highest HUFA n-3 status compared to Kivalliq, Kitikmeot and Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR) (p<0.0001). Fatty acid proportion in erythrocyte membranes showed pronounced differences between coastal communities and inland communities, including a higher HUFA n-3 status among the coastal communities (p<0.0001). Additionally, the HUFA n-3 status showed a strong positive association with age, particularly in Baffin and Kivalliq. HUFA n-3 were inversely associated with saturated (ß=-0.

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“…Consistency of epidemiological data for fish intake/omega-3 biomarkers and CHD risk ■ between populations -Yes [46][47][48][49] ■ within populations -Yes [33,50];…”

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confidence: 99%

Omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease: A case for omega-3 index as a new risk factor

Harris

2007

Pharmacological Research

241

140

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The omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) found in fish and fish oils (eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, EPA and DHA) have been reported to have a variety of beneficial effects in cardiovascular diseases. Ecological and prospective cohort studies as well as randomized, controlled trials have supported the view that the effects of these FAs are clinically-relevant. They operate via several mechanisms, all beginning with the incorporation of EPA and DHA into cell membranes. From here, these omega-3 FA alter membrane physical characteristics and the activity of membrane-bound proteins, and once released by intracellular phospholipases, can interact with ion channels, be converted into a wide variety of bioactive eicosanoids, and serve as ligands for several nuclear transcription factors thereby altering gene expression. In as much as blood levels are a strong reflection of dietary intake, it is proposed that an omega-3 FA biomarker, the omega-3 index (erythrocyte EPA+DHA) be considered at least a marker, if not a risk factor, for coronary heart disease, especially sudden cardiac death. The omega-3 index fulfils many of the requirements for a risk factor including consistent epidemiological evidence, a plausible mechanism of action, a reproducible assay, independence from classical risk factors, modifiability, and most importantly, the demonstration that raising tissue levels will reduce risk for cardiac events. For these and a number of other reasons, the omega-3 index compares very favourably with other risk factors for sudden cardiac death.

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n−3 Fatty acids and cardiovascular disease risk factors among the Inuit of Nunavik

Cited by 227 publications

References 69 publications

Characteristics and prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among three ethnic groups in Canada

Characteristics and prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among three ethnic groups in Canada

Highly unsaturated n-3 fatty acids status of Canadian Inuit: International Polar Year Inuit Health Survey, 2007–2008

Omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease: A case for omega-3 index as a new risk factor

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