Reports new findings on a gene affecting metabolism among Native people in the Arctic, as well as plans to better screen for the mutation and design dietary and health-care guidelines. New finding are: 1) The genetic mutation, which affects Inuit and related people of the far north, is the product of an evolutionary adaptation to the Arctic environment and Arctic diet; and 2) The genetic mutation is confirmed to exist in the Siberian Native population. In Alaska, newborn screenings are expected to be improved to expand knowledge of the genetic condition, and doctors are hoping to do long-term studies to understand the role of traditional diets in a world where the western diet is becoming dominant. Identification of the condition is crucial to avoiding dire health consequences for infants and children. Special note: This story on CPT1A Arctic variant is an outgrowth of previous coverage of Alaska Native diet issues and the rapid shift from a traditional diet to a more western diet. Those stories are linked as supporting information.
