Parents foisting cod-liver oil on their kids in generations goneby may have had good health-related foresight. Cod-liver oilis rich in omega-3 fats. And a recent study of the Yup’ik Eskimosin Alaska, who subsist on a diet high in omega-3 fats, show a lowerincidence of obesity-related diseases such as diabetes and heartdisease.

Researchers from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centerstudied a community of 330 individuals in the Yukon Kuskokwim Deltaregion of southwest Alaska. Seventy percent of the population wasoverweight or obese. Despite this, it was found that obeseindividuals with high blood levels of omega-3 fats had triglycerideand C-reactive protein that weren’t much different fromnormal-weight individuals. Triglycerides and CRPs are linked withan increase in a risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Furthermore, Yup’ik Eskimos’ overweight/obesity levels aresimilar to those in the U.S. overall. However, the prevalence oftype 2 diabetes in this population was significantly lower; 3.3percent as opposed to 7.7 percent nationwide.

Researchers caution, however, that the results of this, orsimilar, studies shouldn’t drive overweight and obese individualsto their local health food store to buy, and imbibe in, cod liveroil or omega-3 pills in an effort to prevent weight-relateddisease. Rather, an increase in intake of fatty fish, such assalmon, is a good idea, as part of a sensible eating program.Furthermore, weight reduction is always helpful when it comes toboosting heart health and lowering the risk of diabetes.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center conducted the study incollaboration with the Center for Alaska Native Health Research atthe University of Alaska-Fairbanks. The study was published onlinein the March 23 issue of European Journal of ClinicalNutrition.