By: Emily McCarney

Background InformationYupik Eskimos vs.

average AmericansAmericans: diverse dietEssential fatty acids

(EFAs) were 1:1 ratio of omega-3 (ω-3) & omega-6 (ω-6)

Current ratio is 1:15

ω-6 FAs: arachidonic acid & linoleic acid

ω-3 FAs: linolenic acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) & eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)

ω-3’s can be found in plants & cold water fish

(Wills, 2008)

Figure 1: ω-3 vs. ω-6 FAs

Background Information Cont…

ω-3 FAs can reduce cholesterol & triglyceridesSuggests: ω-3 FAs can lower the risk of

cardiovascular disease (CVD)Roles of ω-3s: anti-thrombic, anti-inflammatory,

& vasodilationToo many ω-3s can cause prolonged bleeding

times, suppression of the immune system & a decrease in blood pressure

High ω-3s among Alaskan Eskimos

Members of 2 Yupik communities, ages 4-40

Differences in FA intake when compared to a non-native control group

Plasma FA composition and bleeding times were measured

Coastal: higher frequency of consuming traditional foods & items cooked in seal oil

River: higher frequency of salmon & land mammal consumption

Better access to Western foods

Table 1: Consumption of Traditional Foods

(Parkinson, 1994)

Table 2: Plasma FA Concentration

(Parkinson, 1994)

Legend:Arachidonic Acid: 20:4ω-6EPA: 20:5ω-3 DHA: 22:6ω-3

ResultsHigh ω-3 FAs were found in both Alaskan pop. as

compared to the non-native group EPA was 6.8 times higher in the river pop. and 13 times

higher in the coastal pop. than the non-native groupEPA and DHA were significantly higher in the coastal

pop. than the river pop.The river pop. had higher ω-6 levels than coastal whereas

the coastal pop. had higher ω -3 levels than the river pop.

Findings…Increasing ω-3s with

increasing age among Native participants

Positive associations were found between arachidonic acid, & both EPA & DHA

Salmon consumption & increased concentrations of EPA & arachidonic acid have a positive correlation

EPA & the consumption of marine fish with seal oil are positively associated

44% claimed to have prolonged bleeding times

River: 88% & Coastal: 98% showed normal bleeding times

Only 3 participants had increased times

No statistical correlation between abnormal bleeding time & ω-3 FAs

Risk of coronary heart disease and intake of ω-3 FAs

Researchers sent out surveys about medical history, lifestyle, & fish intake to approx. 84,000 nurses

Cases with myocardial infarction (MI) or coronary heart disease (CHD) were documented

Cigarette smoking, body mass index (BMI) & aspirin use documented as variables

Table 3: Risks of CHD & fish intake

(Hu, 2002)

Table 4: Risk of CHD & ω-3 FAs

(Hu, 2002)

ResultsSignificant inverse

relationship between intake of ω-3 FAs & CHD

Stronger for fatal CHD than MI

Inverse relationship between ω-3 FAs & CHD is stronger in women without aspirin use

Aspirin can decrease the risk of CHD by blocking cyclooxygenase

Cyclooxygenase converts arachidonic acid to thromboxane

ω-3 FA intakes were significantly associated with a lower risk of CHD death among aspirin users and nonusers

Table 5: Intake of fish with aspirin use

(Hu, 2002)

The researchers found…ω-3 FAs are the active agent responsible for the protective

effect in fishReduction of serum triglycerides & platelet aggregation is

most likely influentialRecommend fish consumption 2x weekly for prevention

against CHD, specifically death due to CHD

ConclusionYupik Eskimos &

traditional diet high in ω-3 FAs has shown beneficial

Low incidence of death due to CVD

Obesity trend in most Americans proves different FA ratio needed

More balanced diet of ω-3 to ω-6

Increasing amounts of fish & ω-3 FAs in the diet lowers the risk of CHD, CVD & related deaths

Multi-vitamins & regular exercise could improve the American diet & decrease the risk of CVD

ReferencesHu, Frank B., MD, Bronner, Leslie, MD, Willett, Walter C., MD, Stampfer,

Meir J., MD, Rexrode, Katheryn M., MD, Albert, Christine M., MD, Hunter, David, MD, and Manson, JoAnn E., MD. Fish and omega-3 fatty acid intake and risk of coronary heart disease in women. JAMA. 287 (14): 1815-1821, 2002.

Parkinson, Alan J., Cruz, Aurea L., Heyward, William L., Bulkow, Lisa R., Hall, David, Barstaed, Louise and Connor, William E. Elevated concentrations of plasma ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids among Alaskan Eskimos. Am J Clin Nutr. 59: 384-388, 1994.

Wills, Josephine, Dr. The European Food Information Council (EUFIC). [Internet]. [Cited 2008 Dec] Available from: http://www.eufic.org/ article/en/ nutrition/fats/artid/The-importance-of-omega-3-and-omega-6-fatty-acids/