Omega-3 fatty acids improve glucose tolerance and components of the metabolic syndrome in Alaskan Eskimos: The Alaska Siberia project
Ebbesson SOE, Risica PM, Ebbesson LOE, Kennish JM, Tejero ME

 

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

 

Objectives. To test the hypothesis that the unusually low prevalences of insulin resistance (IR), metabolic syndrome (MS) and diabetes (DM) in Alaskan Eskimos, compared to American Indians, is related to the traditional Eskimo diet, high in C20-C22 ω-3 fatty acids (FAs). To determine if the relatively low blood pressures, low serum triglycerides and high HDL cholesterol levels in Eskimos result from high ω-3 FA consumption.

Study design. Cross-sectional study.

Methods. We measured plasma FA concentrations in 447 Norton Sound Eskimos (35-74 years of age) and screened for DM, CHD and associated risk factors. A dietary assessment (24-hr recall) was obtained for comparison the day before the blood sampling.

Results. Plasma ω-3 FA concentrations were highly correlated with dietary ω-3 FAs and HDL levels and inversely correlated with plasma levels of insulin, 2-h insulin (OGTT), HOMI-IR, 2-h glucose (OGTT), triglyceride levels and diastolic blood pressure.

Conclusions. High consumption of ω-3 FAs positively affects components of the MS, insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. This finding suggests that high consumption of C20-C22 ω-3 FAs protects against the development of the MS and glucose intolerance.
(Int J Circumpolar Health 2005; 64(4):396-408.)

Keywords: Inuit, type 2 diabetes, insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, HOMI-IR