Eskimos have CHD despite high consumption of omega-3 fatty acids: the Alaska Siberia project.
OBJECTIVE
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 omega-3 FAs. However, no association was demonstrated with data.


METHODS
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 omega-3 FA consumption.


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


CONCLUSIONS
Average daily consumption of omega-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 omega-3 FA consumption/blood concentrations and the presence of CHD.
Ebbesson
Sven O E
SO
Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22908-0212, USA. se6b@virginia.edu
Risica
Patricia M
PM
Ebbesson
Lars O E
LO
Kennish
John M
JM
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000413:Alaska / Q000453:epidemiology; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000208:ethnology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004930:Inuit / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3