The association between n-3 fatty acids in erythrocyte membranes and insulin resistance: The Inuit Health in Transition Study

• Published in: International Journal of Circumpolar Health
• Main Authors: Thorseng, Trine, Witte, Daniel R, Vistisen, Dorte, Borch-Johnsen, Knut, Bjerregaard, Peter, Jørgensen, Marit E
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: Circumpolar Health; Greenland; International Journal of Circumpolar Health; inuit
• Online Access: https://portal.findresearcher.sdu.dk/da/publications/1b9964f0-d829-11de-b0fe-000ea68e967b; https://doi.org/10.3402/ijch.v68i4.17373

Udgivelsesdato: 2009-Sep Objectives. To examine the association between the content of n-3 fatty acids and insulin resistance in an Inuit population. Study design. The Inuit Health in Transition Study was carried out between 2003 and 2007 in Greenland as a cross-sectional study. Our preliminary results are based on the first 452 participants aged 18 and above. Only participants with at least 1 Inuit grandparent and without diabetes were included. Methods. The contents of n-3 fatty acids and the n-3/n-6 ratio were measured in the erythrocyte membrane phospholipids. BMI was calculated and questions concerning diabetes and ethnicity were answered. Insulin resistance was estimated using the HOMA-IR index based on fastingglucose and fasting-insulin. Results. We found an inverse association between C20:5 n-3 (EPA), C22:3 n-3, the n-3/n-6 ratio and HOMA-IR and a positive association between C18:3 n-3 cis and HOMA-IR. When adjusted for age, gender, BMI and ethnicity, the association remained statistically significant for C20:5 n-3 (EPA), C22:3 n-3 and C18:3 n-3 cis. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that some types of n-3 fatty acids may have a protective effect against insulin resistance. The role of potential confounders such as physical activity, diet, energy intake, socio-economic status and contaminants deserves further exploration.