Abstract
OBJECTIVE:In First Nations communities of northwestern Ontario, where rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus are some of the highest in the world, ascertaining wild food dietary practices is extremely challenging owing to seasonal availability, environmental factors, life circumstances and language/cultural barriers. The purpose of this study was to determine whether analysis of isotopic and fatty acid (FA) profiles could provide more comprehensive information to discriminate between three categories of wild food consumption (that is, plants and animals) in two isolated First Nations communities of northwestern Ontario. In addition, this analysis also highlights whether wild food consumption as practiced in these two communities can increase circulating levels of polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs), which provide a number of important metabolic benefits that could impact the prevention/treatment of T2DM.RESULTS:13C enrichment (in expired CO2, plasma and hair), 15N enrichment (in hair) and FA profiles in plasma phospholipids (phospholipid fatty acid (PL-FA)) were quantified in men and in women consuming various amounts of wild food. 13C/12C ratios were lower and 15N/14N ratios were higher in participants consuming wild food at least once a week. In addition, FA results indicated that the relative contributions of 20:4 Ω-6 and 22:6 Ω-3 to total PL-FAs were higher and 18:2 Ω-6 lower in wild food consumers.CONCLUSION:Together, these findings confirm that isotopic and lipid markers discriminate between the different wild food categories in these two First Nations communities. Knowing the close relationship between dietary intake and the potential role of PUFA in the prevention/treatment of obesity and obesity-related diseases, it is critical to accurately measure the composition of diet for individuals in their specific environments.
Highlights
In research and clinical perspectives, adequate assessments of dietary practices are essential for the prevention/treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus
The purpose of this study was to determine whether analysis of isotopic and fatty acid (FA) profiles could provide more comprehensive information to discriminate between various levels of wild food consumption in isolated First Nations communities of northwestern Ontario
FA results indicated that the relative contribution of 20:4 O-6 and 22:6 O-3 to total PL-FA was higher and 18:2 O-6 lower in wild food consumers (Figure 2)
Summary
In research and clinical perspectives, adequate assessments of dietary practices are essential for the prevention/treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus This holds true in Canada’s First Nations communities of northwestern Ontario where rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus are some of the highest in the world.[1,2,3,4,5] store-bought foods are available in these isolated communities, they are generally of poor quality and expensive.[6] Some nutritious choices are available for purchase but they are generally five to six times more expensive than in southern Canadian cities. This unique context makes accurate and objective assessments of overall food consumption difficult, which is exacerbated by language/cultural barriers and reporting bias
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