The clinical review on the possible protective effect of omega 3
fatty acids against cardiovascular disease refers to the originating work
on this topic of Dyerberg et al[1] but does not mention that these
investigators also reported that “dairy foods are very scarce in the
Eskimo diet”.[2] Related to this restriction is a high prevalence of low
lactase activity in adulthood (an inherited characteristic), estimated as
87%.[3]
Similarly, of the countries of the Organisation for Economic
Cooperation and Development, Japan has the lowest mortality from ischaemic
heart disease (IHD), the highest per capita supply of fat from fish, the
lowest per capita supply of milk, and the highest prevalence of low
lactase activity in adults, estimated as 78%.[3]
IHD prevalence and mortality are also relatively low in China, where
milk provides only 8 calories per capita daily, and the estimated
prevalence of low lactase activity in adults is 94%,[3] but the per capita
supply of fat from fish is low - less than half that in the UK.[4]
During the Second World War, Norway experienced a decline in
mortality from ‘arteriosclerosis’, a term which included IHD. A study in
Oslo showed that the consumption of “milk of all sorts” was the lowest and
that of fish was the highest ever found in Norway.[5]
The MRC seeks more non-pharmaceutical clinical trials. It should
compare a high intake of omega 3 fatty acids with a milk-free diet in
secondary prevention following myocardial infarction.
References
1. Dyerberg J, Bang HO, Hjorne N. Fatty acid composition of the
plasma lipids in Greenland Eskimos. Am J Clin Nutr 1975; 28:958-66.
2. Bang HO, Dyerberg J, Hjorne N. The composition of food consumed
by Greenland Eskimos. Acta Med Scand 1976;200:69-73.
3. Segall JJ. Dietary lactose as a possible risk factor for
ischaemic heart disease: review of epidemiology. Int J Cardiol 1994;46:197
-207.
4. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Food
Balance Sheets, 1984-86 Average. Rome: FAO,1991.
5. Strom A. Examination into the diet of Norwegian families during
the war-years, 1942-45. Acta Med Scand 1948;138(suppl 214):1-47.
Rapid Response:
Omega 3 fatty acids: Confounding with less milk?
The clinical review on the possible protective effect of omega 3
fatty acids against cardiovascular disease refers to the originating work
on this topic of Dyerberg et al[1] but does not mention that these
investigators also reported that “dairy foods are very scarce in the
Eskimo diet”.[2] Related to this restriction is a high prevalence of low
lactase activity in adulthood (an inherited characteristic), estimated as
87%.[3]
Similarly, of the countries of the Organisation for Economic
Cooperation and Development, Japan has the lowest mortality from ischaemic
heart disease (IHD), the highest per capita supply of fat from fish, the
lowest per capita supply of milk, and the highest prevalence of low
lactase activity in adults, estimated as 78%.[3]
IHD prevalence and mortality are also relatively low in China, where
milk provides only 8 calories per capita daily, and the estimated
prevalence of low lactase activity in adults is 94%,[3] but the per capita
supply of fat from fish is low - less than half that in the UK.[4]
During the Second World War, Norway experienced a decline in
mortality from ‘arteriosclerosis’, a term which included IHD. A study in
Oslo showed that the consumption of “milk of all sorts” was the lowest and
that of fish was the highest ever found in Norway.[5]
The MRC seeks more non-pharmaceutical clinical trials. It should
compare a high intake of omega 3 fatty acids with a milk-free diet in
secondary prevention following myocardial infarction.
References
1. Dyerberg J, Bang HO, Hjorne N. Fatty acid composition of the
plasma lipids in Greenland Eskimos. Am J Clin Nutr 1975; 28:958-66.
2. Bang HO, Dyerberg J, Hjorne N. The composition of food consumed
by Greenland Eskimos. Acta Med Scand 1976;200:69-73.
3. Segall JJ. Dietary lactose as a possible risk factor for
ischaemic heart disease: review of epidemiology. Int J Cardiol 1994;46:197
-207.
4. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Food
Balance Sheets, 1984-86 Average. Rome: FAO,1991.
5. Strom A. Examination into the diet of Norwegian families during
the war-years, 1942-45. Acta Med Scand 1948;138(suppl 214):1-47.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests