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Kava use, dyslipidaemia and biomarkers of dietary quality in Aboriginal people in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory (NT), Australia

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 58, pages 1090–1093 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Heavy kava use has been associated with sudden death in Aboriginal Australians in Arnhem Land (Northern Territory, Australia) where poor diets and a high incidence of premature coronary heart disease are known. Heavy kava users may suffer additional risk if further malnourished. Among 98 people (62 males, 36 females) in one community, 36 never used kava, 26 were past users, and 36 were continuing users. Across kava-using groups skinfold thickness, body mass index and body fat decreased. Total- and LDL-cholesterol were elevated in kava users compared to both former users and never users. HDL-cholesterol was higher in current users vs never users. Across kava-using groups, triglycerides, homocysteine and diet-derived antioxidant vitamins α-tocopherol and retinol, did not vary. Plasma carotenoid levels (indicative of vegetable and fruit intake) were very low, but when adjusted for plasma cholesterol, did not vary between kava-using groups. An obsession for kava drinking may mediate kava's direct effects on nutritional status.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Dr Qing Su and her laboratory staff for carrying out the carotenoid assays. Carotenoid assays were funded by National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia (NHMRC) Grant #981010 and the lipid levels and physical assessments from NHMRC Grant #980434. We thank Dr Chris Burns and Prof Bart Currie for project development and Ms Kath Flyn for data collection and compilation, Mr Terrence Guyula, Roslyn Wunungmurra and Susan Ninikirri for assistance with the research. We declare that the paper's publication creates no conflict of interest. Dr Rowley is a VicHealth Public Health Research Fellow.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Casuarina, 0881, NT, Australia

    A R Clough

  2. Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, VIC, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia

    K Rowley

  3. Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Casuarina, 0881, NT, Australia

    K O'Dea

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  1. A R Clough
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  2. K Rowley
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  3. K O'Dea
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Correspondence to A R Clough.

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Clough, A., Rowley, K. & O'Dea, K. Kava use, dyslipidaemia and biomarkers of dietary quality in Aboriginal people in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory (NT), Australia. Eur J Clin Nutr 58, 1090–1093 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601921

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