Nutrition and the North: Hygienic Problems of the Arctic Zone of Russia (The Review of the Literature)

Abstract

The review shows the main strategic priorities and mechanisms for implementation of the Russian state policy in the Arctic. There is presented the characteristics of habitat factors affecting the health of the population in the North concerning extreme climate, photoperiodicity (Polar night, Polar day), lack of oxygen, the effect of magnetic storms, increased energy costs in performing any physical work, etc. There is presented information on the structure, quality, and safety of diets of the actual nutrition of indigenous and non-indigenous residents of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation (AZRF). The largest deficit in terms of consumption has been established to be noted for potatoes and other vegetables, fruits, eggs, milk and dairy products. The high carbohydrate load on the body attracts attention: the consumption of sugar exceeds the recommended sizes by 44% with the deficiency of essential proteins, most vitamins, and minerals. Substantial microbiological and chemical contamination of food raw materials and food products has been revealed. The peculiarity of the real rations of the actual nutrition of the indigenous and non-indigenous population of the Arctic zone is correspondingly reflected in protein, vitamin, mineral metabolism, antioxidant status and the biological age. Problems of the organization of food supply of regions and development of local raw materials base are discussed. To achieve greater adequacy of the diet to the needs of the body, the need for correction, optimization, personalization and ensuring the safety of nutrition of various populations in order to prevent nutritional deficiencies in the northern population is justified. At the same time, there are extremely important the introduction of new technologies aimed at maximum preservation of the food value of products, provision of the population with specialized products for preventive purposes, targeted multi-vitaminization of the population, and the implementation of systematic hygienic training in the principles of balanced nutrition.

Traditional Living Habits of the Taz Tundra Population: A Paleoparasitological Study

“…Meat of dead or injured reindeer was frequently a part of food rations. However, consumption of raw reindeer meat cannot lead to beef tapeworm infection since T. saginata cysticerci develop only in reindeer cerebrum and cerebral meninges [31]. Nowadays, beef tapeworm episodes are recorded in Yamalo-Nenets (Yamalo-Nenetsky) autonomous okrug (YNAO) as a result of consuming raw reindeer cerebrum.…”

The Association between Kidney Function Biomarkers and Delayed Memory Impairments among Older Adults in the European North of Russia

“…There are data supporting the relationship between serum creatinine level and cognitive function, but this relationship was described as nonlinear, i.e., both low and high creatinine levels can be considered as the metabolic basis for cognitive disorders [14,15]. Residents of Russia's Arctic territories tend to have a traditional diet that is rich in protein-lipid components, which continues to prevail regardless of the recent shifts towards increased carbohydrates consumption [16]. For this reason, the activity of the enzyme systems that are responsible for protein synthesis and the excretion of its metabolites remain high.…”

The Nutrition and Health Status of Residents of the Northern Regions of Russia: Outlook of Vertical Agricultural Farms

“…The actual diet lacks sufficient amounts of meat and meat products, fish and seafood, milk and dairy products, unsaturated fats, phospholipids, fiber, methionine, some vitamins and bio-elements (such as selenium, and calcium) while the consumption of saturated fats and flour products is abundant. The deficit is noted in the consumption of potatoes and other vegetables, fruit, and eggs [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ].…”