Eskimos have CHD despite high consumption of omega-3 fatty acids: The Alaska Siberia project
Ebbesson SOE, Risica PM, Ebbesson LOE, Kennish JM

 

ABSTRACT [full text] [back to issue 64(4)]

 

Objectives. The thirty-year-old hypothesis that omega-3 fatty acid (FA) may ‘reduce the development of thrombosis and atherosclerosis in the Western World” still needs to be tested. Dyerberg-Bang based their supposition on casual observations that coronary atherosclerosis in Greenlandic Inuit was ‘almost unknown’ and that they consumed large amounts of ω-3 FAs. However, no association was demonstrated with data.

Study design. Cross-sectional study.

Methods. 454 Alaskan Eskimos were screened for coronary heart disease (CHD), using a protocol that included ECG, medical history, Rose questionnaire, blood chemistries, including plasma FA concentrations, and a 24-hour recall and a food frequency questionnaire assessment of ω-3 FA consumption.

Results. CHD was found in 6 % of the cohort under 55 years of age and in 26 % of those ≥ 55 years of age. Eskimos with CHD consume as much ω-3 FAs as those without CHD, and the plasma concentrations confirm that dietary assessment.

Conclusions. Average daily consumption of ω-3 FAs among Eskimos was high, with about 3-4 g/d reported, compared with 1-2 g/d used in intervention studies and the average consumption of 0.2 g/d by the American population. There was no association between current ω-3 FA consumption/blood concentrations and the presence of CHD.
(Int J Circumpolar Health 2005; 64(4):387-395.)

Keywords: cardiovascular disease, stroke, atherosclerosis, omega-3 fatty acids, prevalence, Inuit