International Union for Circumpolar Health Ministry of Public Health and Social Development of RF Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences Medical Polar Fund “Science” The Northern Forum

Abstracts

Cardiovascular diseases

Objectives. Identify dietary risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). To test the hypothesis that high consumption of omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) prevents or reduces atherosclerosis.

Methods. 1131 Alaskan Eskimos18 years of age were screened for CVD using ultrasound to detect the presence and extent of carotid atherosclerosis (discrete plaque). A validated food frequency questionnaire was administered.

Results. Average daily consumption of omega-3 FAs among Eskimos increased with increasing age and was high (mean 5.9 g/day, median 3.9 g/day) compared to amounts used in intervention studies (1-2 g/day) and to the average amount consumed by the general American population (0.2 g/day). Carotid plaques were found in 34% of the participants, almost entirely in those over 35 years of age. In those over 35 years of age and gender adjusted, mean consumption of omega-3 FAs was 5.9 g/day in those without plaque and 6.02 g/day in those with plaque (age and gender adjusted p=0.86). In contrast, the presence of plaque was associated with the percent of dietary fat from palmitic acid (a saturated fatty acid found in high concentrations in shortening, butter, bacon etc.; OR=1.2, 95% CI 1.03-1.50, p=0.022) after adjustment for age, gender, current or ex-smoking, body mass index, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, fibrinogen, and prevalent diabetes and hypertension. The extent of plaque (measured by the number of extra cranial carotid segments containing plaque) was significantly associated with increasing quartile of the fraction of dietary fat that was total saturated fats (p=0.044), particularly palmitic acid (p=0.02).

Conclusion. The presence and extent of carotid atherosclerosis among Eskimos is independently related to consumption of saturated fatty acids. A diet high in omega-3 FAs does not appear to have a beneficial effect in retarding atherosclerosis in this population when other risk factors, such as high consumption of saturated fatty acids, smoking and diabetes are present. However, omega-3 FAs are known to provide other important benefits for cardiovascular health such as improving plaque stability, reducing cardiovascular events and improving triglyceride and HDL levels.

Note. Abstracts are published in author's edition

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Last update: 06-Jul-2012 (11:52:05)