Indigenous health

In the Feb. 23, 2010, issue of CMAJ, the health of indigenous people regarding food insecurity,1 epidemiology of diabetes2 and birth outcomes3 was summarized. Traditional indigenous foods were not studied in the food security study. These foods, which include fish, would provide some vitamin D and significant levels of omega 3 fatty acids. However, environmental contaminants in these foods are rising and mercury is certainly a concern. There is emerging evidence that inadequate maternal vitamin D levels may increase the risk of developing diabetes in the offspring, pre-eclampsia in pregnancy, primary cesarean section rates and increased bacterial vaginosis in the first trimester.