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Diet and Blood Concentrations of Essential and Non-Essential Elements among Rural Residents in Arctic Russia

Summary

Indigenous Arctic residents who eat traditional foods like fish and hunted game get important nutrients but may also absorb toxic metals like mercury, arsenic, and lead. This study of Russian Arctic communities found that eating different fish species and hunted goose was linked to higher levels of these metals in the blood. Interestingly, selenium from fish appeared to help protect against mercury toxicity, though the metals still warrant concern.

Background

Arctic indigenous populations rely on traditional foods obtained through hunting and fishing, which are sources of essential micronutrients but also potential sources of persistent toxic inorganic pollutants. Previous studies have shown associations between traditional food consumption and blood concentrations of mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic in Arctic residents, though evidence from the Russian Arctic is limited.

Objective

To examine associations between blood concentrations of essential and non-essential elements and traditional food consumption among rural residents in seven settlements in the Nenets Autonomous Area of Northwest Russia, and to evaluate the impact of iron status on element concentrations.

Results

Blood arsenic was positively associated with consumption of rainbow smelt, pink salmon, Arctic char, and navaga fish. Northern pike consumption was associated with increased blood mercury. Blood lead levels were positively associated with goose consumption and hunter status, suggesting contamination from shotgun ammunition. Blood manganese and cobalt increased at lower iron status levels. Blood selenium increased with higher arsenic and mercury concentrations.

Conclusion

Traditional foods are confirmed as sources of both essential micronutrients and non-essential toxic elements for Arctic residents. Iron status significantly affects the absorption of manganese and cobalt. Lead contamination appears to influence concentrations of other elements, warranting further investigation into potential health implications of these exposure patterns.
  • Published in:Nutrients,
  • Study Type:Cross-sectional observational study,
  • Source: PMID: 36501035, DOI: 10.3390/nu14235005
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