Cardiovascular disease risk factors and diet of Fulani pastoralists of northern Nigeria

Abstract

Despite a diet high in saturated fat, Fulani adults have a lipid profile indicative of a low risk of cardiovascular disease. This finding is likely due to their high activity level and their low total energy intake.

Lipid Profiles and <i>trans</i> Fatty Acids in Serum Phospholipids of Semi-nomadic Fulani in Northern Nigeria

“…The lean nature of the men and women that was evident in their relatively low body mass index (BMI) values (21.6 and 21.1 kg/m 2 respectively) was confirmed by the results of bioelectrical impedance analysis of their body composition: men had 13.8% fat, and women had 26.5% fat. Although the mean (systolic/diastolic) blood pressure of both male (137/84 mmHg) and female subjects (137/82 mmHg) indicated borderline hypertension, the mean phase angle of both the sets of subjects were in the range of values reported for individuals whose overall health is good (5,21,22). The concentration of total cholesterol was higher in women than in men (156 vs 122 mg/dL, p<0.001 ( Table 2).…”

“…Since we have shown that the adult Fulani men and women who inhabit northern Nigeria derive nearly 30% of their dietary calories from cow's milk, butter oil, and dairy products derived there from (4,5) and since both milk and butter oil from the cows of the Fulani contain relatively large amounts of TFAs, most of which is vaccenic acid (18:1-t11) (7,8), we expected to find at least moderate amounts of vaccenic acid in the phospholipid fraction of the sera of these pastoralists. Contrary to expectation, the main result of the present study was the finding of low levels of three TFAs but no detectable vaccenic acid in the serum phospholipids of the Fulani adults living a pastoral existence in rural northern Nigeria.…”

“…The main TFA in ruminant fats is 11-trans-18:1 isomer (11t-18:1; vaccenic acid) (8) whereas partially-hydrogenated (9) vegetable oils mainly have the 9t:18:1 isomer (elaidic acid) (10). Based on two previous studies by us (4,5), we estimate that TFAs account for 1.0-1.5% of the total energy intake of rural Fulani people in northern Nigeria, which is a level of consumption that has been shown to significantly increase the risk of coronary heart disease (3). Since dietary intake of TFAs correlates positively with blood levels of TFAs (10-12), we would, therefore, expect to find relatively high levels of TFAs in the serum phospholipids of Fulani adults.…”

“…We learned from past studies on diet and CVD risk factors of the semi-nomadic Fulani people of northern Nigeria whose culture and economy are centred on cattle that, despite deriving approximately 30% of their total calories from dairy products rich in saturated fatty acids, Fulani men and women had serum levels of TC, LDL-C, and TG that were within normal reference ranges for Western populations (4,5). A subsequent study on the fatty acid composition of the serum phospholipids of Fulani adults revealed a high proportion of saturated fatty acids compared to non-Fulani ethnic groups in southern Nigeria and populations in Europe, the United States, and Australia; however, TFAs were not determined in that 2003 study (6).…”

“…Since the fatty acid composition of human plasma phospholipids reflects recent dietary fatty acid intake (10-12), we hypothesized that, in light of the fact that TFA-rich dairy products are a major component of the diet of Fulani pastoralists (5,6), their serum phospholipids should contain appreciable proportions of TFA. Since we were also interested in possible correlations between the TFA and the bodycomposition characteristics of the Fulani adults, we used bioelectrical impedance to estimate the body fat and lean body mass of the subjects in the present study.…”