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Dietary n‐3 fatty acids and markers of inflammation in Yup’ik Eskimos: the CANHR Study
Author(s) -
Luick Bret Roger,
Bersamin Andrea,
Boyer Bert,
Stern Judith S,
King Irena
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.a740
Subject(s) - inflammation , medicine , polyunsaturated fatty acid , fish oil , blood lipids , endocrinology , biology , cholesterol , fatty acid , fish <actinopterygii> , biochemistry , fishery
Consumption of traditional foods (TF), particularly n‐3 rich fish and seal oil, is an important part of the current diet of Yup’ik Eskimos (YE). We have previously reported on the relationship between intake of long chain n‐3 fatty acids (FA), and erythrocyte (RBC) FA composition and plasma lipids. The objective of the current analysis is to examine the relationship between RBC FA composition and circulating markers of inflammation, including IL‐6, IGF‐1, IGF‐BP3, sTNF‐R2, and CRP. Three day diet records, 24‐hour recalls and fasting blood were collected from 497 male and female YE living in rural Alaska Native communities. Mean TF intake accounted for 16 ± 22% of energy intake, and increased significantly with age (p<0.001). Mean RBC FA (20:4 n‐6 AA, 20:5 n‐3 EPA and 22:6 n‐3 DHA) percentages were 8.9±1.6, 2.5±1.8 and 6.5±1.8, respectively. Stepwise regression analysis of cytokines correlated more consistently with RBC FA than with age, sex, BMI or TF intake. AA had positive associations with markers of inflammation whereas n‐3 FA tended to correlate negatively. Consistent with high intake of n‐3 FA, we found high levels of RBC n‐3 FA and HDL‐C, which in turn correlated with reduced markers of inflammation. The combination of improved blood lipids and decreased inflammation markers in our findings indicate that high intake of marine oils may be of value for improving predictive indicators of chronic disease among free living populations.