Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid profiles and relationship with cardiometabolic risk factors in Cree (Eeyouch) of Northern Québec

Abstract

Background: n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) from fish are known modulators of cardiometabolic risk factors.

Objective: To examine fatty acids (FAs) status and the relationship between n-3 LC-PUFA and cardiometabolic risk factors in Cree participants.

Design: We analyzed data from a cross-sectional study (n=829) conducted in Cree adults (aged 18-74 years) from 7 communities of the James Bay territory of Quebec (Canada) in 2005-2009. Sociodemographic, lifestyle, clinical and anthropometric data were collected. FAs were quantified in red blood cells (RBCs) under fasting conditions.

Results: A total of 89% of the participants were overweight (with 69% obesity), 33% had hypertriglyceridemia, 44% had low plasma HDL-c and 77% had fasting plasma insulin ≥90 pmol/l. Total n-3 PUFAs accounted for 6% of total FAs and were higher among older participants, while n-6 PUFAs accounted for 31% of total FAs and were higher among younger participants. According to the adjusted multiple linear regression models, n-3 LC-PUFA was associated (p<0.05) with higher total cholesterol, LDL-c and apo B-100, and was also associated (p<0.05) with lower blood glucose.

Conclusion: Overall, this study showed that n-3 LC-PUFA levels measured in the RBCs of the Cree adults are relatively low and tend towards lower levels among youth. These levels might be insufficient to offset the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors.

Keywords: James Bay Cree; blood glucose; cardiovascular disease risk factors; fish; lipids; nutritional transition; polyunsaturated fatty acids; traditional food.

Fig. 1

Map of the James Bay territory (Eeyou Istchee) (Quebec) and localization of the communities participating in the study.

Fig. 2

Multiple linear regression coefficients of selected cardiometabolic risk factors (dependent variables) per 1-unit increment of RBC n-3 LC-PUFA (predictor variable), according to age categories (n=613). The multivariate model was adjusted for age (continuous), gender, area of residence (coastal vs. inland), waist circumference (continuous), smoking status (never/former/occasionally/regular smokers), alcohol consumption (continuous), blood mercury level (continuous), ALA (continuous), total n-6 PUFAs (continuous), total SFAs, total MUFAs and total TFAs (all continuous). *p<0.05. ALA: α-linolenic acid (18:3n3); Apo: apolipoprotein; DBP: diastolic blood pressure; DHA: docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3); DPAn-3: docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3); EPA: eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3); FA: fatty acid; HDL-c: HDL-cholesterol; LC-PUFA: long chain polyunsaturated FA; LDL-c: LDL-cholesterol; MUFA: monounsaturated FA; n-3 LC-PUFA: EPA+DPAn-3+DHA; SBP: systolic blood pressure; SFA: saturated FA; TC: total cholesterol; TFA: trans FA; TG: triacylglycerols.