title: Polyunsaturated fatty acids and calcaneal ultrasound parameters among Inuit women from Nuuk (Greenland): a longitudinal study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The traditional diet of Inuit people comprises large amounts of fish and marine mammals that are rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Results from in vitro studies, laboratory animal experiments and population studies suggest that omega-3 PUFA intake and a high omega-3/omega-6 ratio exert a positive effect on bone health.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This longitudinal study was conducted to examine the relationship between omega-3 and omega-6 PUFA status and quantitative ultrasound (QUS) parameters in Greenlandic Inuit women.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 118 Inuit women from Nuuk (Greenland), aged 49-64 years, whose QUS parameters measured at baseline (year 2000), along with PUFA status and covariates, and follow-up QUS measurements 2 years later (year 2002). QUS parameters [speed of sound (SOS); broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA)] were measured at the right calcaneus with a water-bath Lunar Achilles instrument. Omega-3 and omega-6 PUFA contents of erythrocyte membrane phospholipids were measured after transmethylation by gas chromatography coupled with a flame ionization detector. Relationships between QUS parameters and different PUFAs were studied in multiple linear regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Increasing values of EPA, DHA and the omega-3/omega-6 PUFA ratio were associated with increased BUA values measured at follow-up (year 2002). These associations were still present in models adjusted for several confounders and covariates. We found little evidence of associations between PUFAs and SOS values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The omega-3 PUFA intake from marine food consumption seems to have a positive effect on bone intrinsic quality and strength, as revealed by higher BUA values in this group of Greenlandic Inuit women.
authors.affiliation: Axe Santé Publique et Pratiques Optimales en Santé, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Alexandra-Cristina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Paunescu
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ayotte
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dewailly
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dodin
authors.forename: Henning S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Gert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mulvad
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Côté
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001110:Arctic Regions / Q000453:epidemiology; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000502:physiology; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000208:ethnology*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000097:blood; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D006116:Greenland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D004930:Inuit; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
keywords: Greenland; Inuit women; calcaneal ultrasound parameters; polyunsaturated fatty acids