ARKHANGELSK, November 16. /TASS/. The highest risk of diseases, related to the diet change, develops in the third year of life in the Arctic, and this peculiarity must be observed in developing specific diets for shift workers, the Razumovsky Moscow State University of Technologies and Management's expert Igor Nikitin told an Arctic conference in Arkhangelsk.
"According to the statistics, the highest risks develop in the third year. Not too quickly. They are caused by nutrition changes. The risks of various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, are observed in the third year in shift workers. These changes can be foreseen, and the right approach to nutrition and lifestyle can mitigate these risks and associated health problems," he said.
When moving to the Arctic, people experience the so-called nutrition transition, that is a change in nutrition and in energy consumption. According to the scientist, the Arctic type of diet is known for a large amount of proteins and fats, and fewer carbohydrates. "Therefore, the so-called Mediterranean diet or the classic nutrition recommendations are not quite suitable here. We leave alone the indigenous peoples, their diet is completely different. But those who come here and live here for a while do face this transition. The share of proteins and fats in the diet is increasing, and the share of carbohydrates is steadily decreasing," the scientist said.
These features can be foreseen to mitigate risks, when specialists develop diets for people working in the Arctic. Such diets will include local raw products, such as wild plants and venison. "We've eyed different types of Arctic raw products and have offered a big line of products that use wild-growing plants. This year, we have added venison," he added.
The forum, devoted to the Russian Arctic's development is underway in Arkhangelsk.