Review of Preventive Measures Aimed at Increasing the Body Resistance to Adverse Effects of Anthropogenic and Climatic Factors of the Environment in the Northern Territories of Russia

Introduction. Simultaneous exposure to unfavorable weather and climate conditions and environmental chemicals poses risks of human health impairment, realization of which depends on individual characteristics of the organism and can be controlled by biological prophylaxis comprising measures to increase the resistance and strengthen the adaptive mechanisms of the body.

Objective — to review the scientific experience of taking preventive measures aimed at increasing the body resistance to adverse effects of anthropogenic and climatic factors in the northern territories of Russia.

Materials and methods. We conducted an electronic bibliography search in the PubMed, Google Scholar, eLibrary.ru, and CyberLeninka information databases. Of 100 original articles found, 61 full-text publications were eligible for inclusion in the review.

Results. A gradual switchover to the Western pattern diet of the northerners leads to increased consumption of carbohydrates but insufficient intake of fats and proteins. The researchers have observed deficiency of iodine, vitamins A, E, C, and D, with the latter being aggravated by the genetic factor in indigenous peoples. Levels of heavy metals, particularly those of lead and mercury, in biological fluids are often associated with geochemical characteristics of the territory and local fish consumption.

Conclusion. To maintain health of the population living in the northern territories of Russia, it is important to develop a preventive strategy aimed, on the one hand, at enriching the diet with vitamins and minerals and, on the other hand, increasing the body resistance to adverse effects of toxicants potentially present in traditional foods.

1. Katsnelson BA, Morosova KI, Velichkovski BT, Aronova GV, Genkin AM, Rotenberg YS, et al. Anti-silikotische Wirkung von Glutamat. Arbeitsmedizin, Sozialmedizin, Praventivmedizin. 1984;19(7):153–156. (In Germ.).

2. Sutunkova MP. Inhibition of harmful effects of chrysotile asbestos with a complex of bioprotektors (an experimental study). Bulletin of Eastern-Siberian Scientific Center of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. 2009;(1):260–264. (In Russ.). EDN: https://elibrary.ru/JWGCMC.

3. Sutunkova MP, Soloboyeva JI, Bushuyeva TV, Makeyev JH, Beresneva OYu. Appraisal of the effectiveness of a controlled course of the biological prophylaxis of environmentally induced diseases in children dwellers of the Asbest city. Ural Medical Journal. 2010;(2):33–35. (In Russ.). EDN: https://elibrary.ru/MVLMLR.

4. Katsnelson BA, Degtyareva TD, Privalova LI, Solobiyeva JI, Kireyeva EP, Minigalieva IA, et al. Biological prophylaxis of environmentally caused human health disorders: Theoretical background, experimental data, evaluation of efficacy, and practical realization. Biosfera. 2010;2(3):375–385. (In Russ.). EDN: https://www.elibrary.ru/MZJFDF.

5. Mazhaeva TV, Gurvich VB, Sutunkova MP, Chernova JS, Yarushin SV, Chebotarkova SA, et al. Approaches to Identifying Markers of Effect of Environment and Nutrition in Preschoolers. Public Health and Life Environment — PH&LE. 2024;32(10):73–80. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.35627/2219-5238/202432-10-73-80.

6. Katsnelson BA, Degtyareva TD, Soloboyeva JI, Privalova LI. Biological prophylaxis as a system of measures aimed at enhancing children’s resistancetotoxic exposure. System Integration in Health Care. 2009;(1):30–34. (In Russ.). EDN: https://www.elibrary.ru/KXMWIJ.

7. Katsnelson BA, Soloboyeva JI, Degtyareva TD, Privalova LI, Sutunkova MP. [Podhody k organizacii biologicheskoj profilaktiki vrednogo vliyaniya himicheskogo zagryazneniya sredy obitaniya na zdorov’e naseleniya] Approaches to the organization of biological prevention of harmful effects of chemical pollution on public health. Ural Medical Journal. 2007;(11 Suppl):33–35. (In Russ.). Available from: https://clck.ru/3LWYvE [accessed 18 April 2025].

8. Krasnopevtsev VM, Timonov MA, Kyushko YaI, Petrova GA, Zherebilova TN, Khristenko PP, et al. Comparative assessment of indices of the health state, diet and metabolism among students living under conditions of the Far North. Hygiene and Sanitation. 1978;(3):44–49. (In Russ.). Available from: https://clck.ru/3LSBLw [accessed 8 September 2024].

9. Katsnelson BA, Privalova LI, Gurvich VB, Kuzmin SV, Kireyeva EP, Minigalieva IA, et al. The role of bio-prevention in the framework of managing occupational and environmental chemical risks to population health. Toxicological Review. 2015;(1):10–21. (In Russ.). EDN: https://elibrary.ru/LBMSPR.

10. Privalova LI, Klinova SV, Minigalieva IA, Ryabova IuV, Sutunkova MP, Makeev OG, et al. An experimental trial of bioprophylactic formula designed to minimize combined toxicity of both lead and cadmium. Hygiene and Sanitation. 2020;99(1):85–89. (In Russ.). EDN: https://www.elibrary.ru/YZQCOS.

11. Privalova LI, Sutunkova MP, Minigaliyeva IA, Klinova SV, Ryabova IuV, Solovyova SN, et al. Experimental assessments of metallic and metal oxide nanoparticles’ toxicity. In: IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering; 2019. Vol. 699: SPM–2019–RCWDFM Joint International Conference 25–28 August 2019, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation. 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/699/1/012037.

12. Kleyn SV, Zemlyanova MA, Koldibekova YuV, Glukhikh MV. Climatic and chemical health risk factors for people living in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions: Population and sub-population levels. Health Risk Analysis. 2022;(3):39–52. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21668/health.risk/2022.3.03.eng.

13. Ivanova GV. Ecological features of indigenous children’s nutrition in Far North. Human Ecology. 2006;(8): 9–11. (In Russ.). EDN: https://elibrary.ru/HTJVFX.

14. Andronov S, Lobanov A, Popov A, Luo Y, Shaduyko O, Fesyun A, et al. Changing diets and traditional lifestyle of Siberian Arctic Indigenous Peoples and effects on health and well-being. Ambio. 2021;50(11):2060– 2071. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-020-01387-9.

15. Kozlov A, Khabarova Y, Vershubsky G, Ateeva Y, Ryzhaenkov V. Vitamin D status of northern indigenous people of Russia leading traditional and “modernized” way of life. International Journal of Circumpolar Health. 2014;73(1):26038. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3402/ijch.v73.26038.

16. Nikiforova NA, Karapetyan TA, Dorshakova NV. Feeding habits of the northerners (literature review). Human Ecology. 2018;(11):20–22. (In Russ.). EDN: https://www.elibrary.ru/YNWBUL.

17. Dudarev AA, Pasternak SY, Pasternak I, Chupakhin VS. Traditional diet and environmental contaminants in coastal chukotka I: Study design and dietary patterns. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019;16(5):702. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16050702.

18. Sobolev N, Nieboer E, Aksenov A, Sorokina T, Chashchin V, Ellingsen DG, et al. Concentration dataset for 4 essential and 5 non-essential elements in fish collected in Arctic and sub-Arctic territories of the Nenets Autonomous and Arkhangelsk regions of Russia. Data in Brief. 2019;27:104631. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2019.104631.

19. Makarov DA, Ovcharenko VV, Nebera EA, Kozhushkevich AI, Shelepchikov AA, Turbabina KА, et al. Geographical distribution of dioxins, cadmium and mercury concentrations in reindeer liver, kidneys and meat in the Russian Far North. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2022;29(8):12176–12187. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-16310-2.

20. Evseev AV, Krasovskaya TM. Toxic metals in soils of the Russian North. Journal of Geochemical Exploration. 2017;174:128–131. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2015.05.018.

21. Zhurba OM, Rukavishnikov VS, Merinov AV, Alekseyenko AN. The content of petroleum products, benzo (a)pyrene and heavy metals in soils of Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District and heavy metals in the hair of children. Hygiene and Sanitation. 2016;95(6):521–524. (In Russ.). EDN: https://www.elibrary.ru/WHPWGR.

22. Sobolev N, Aksenov A, Sorokina T, Chashchin V, Ellingsen DG, Nieboer E, et al. Iodine and bromine in fish consumed by indigenous peoples of the Russian Arctic. Scientific Reports. 2020;10(1):5451. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-62242-1.

23. Sobolev N, Aksenov A, Sorokina T, Chashchin V, Ellingsen DG, Nieboer E, et al. Essential and non-essential trace elements in fish consumed by indigenous peoples of the European Russian Arctic. Environmental Pollution. 2019;253:966–973. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.07.072.

24. Kozlov AI. Hypolactasia in the indigenous populations of northern Russia. International Journal of Circumpolar Health. 1998;57(1):18–21. PMID: https://pubmed.gov/9567572.

25. Sivtseva AI, Sivtseva EN, Shadrina SS, Melnikov VN, Boyakova SI, Dokhunaeva AM. Microelement composition of serum in Dolgans, indigenous inhabitants of the Russian Arctic, in the conditions of industrial development of territories. International Journal of Circumpolar Health. 2020;79(1):1764304. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/22423982.2020.1764304.

26. Danilova NI, Istomin AV, Raengulov BM, Kryuchkova EN, Kondratovich SV. Alimentary status of children of aboriginal population of the North. Kazan Medical Journal. 2003;84(2):145–147. (In Russ.). EDN: https://elibrary.ru/HRMHVZ.

27. Gogadze NV, Turchaninov DV, Vilms EA, Boyarskaya LA, Turchaninova MS. Hygienic assessment of nutrition adult population of Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug — Yugra. Public Health and Life Environment — PH&LE. 2015;(3):22–24. (In Russ.). EDN: https://elibrary.ru/TQMISV.

28. Gogadze NV, Turchaninov DV. Comparative hygienic characteristics of nutrition in the population of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District — Yugra and the Omsk Region (for example Surgut and Omsk). Natsional’nye Prioritety Rossii. 2017;(4):161–164. (In Russ.). EDN: https://elibrary.ru/ZICCYD.

29. Darenskaya MA. Peculiarities of metabolic reactions in indigenous and migrant populations of the North and Siberia. Bulletin of Eastern-Siberian Scientific Center of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. 2014;(2):97–103. (In Russ.). EDN: https://elibrary.ru/SIZJNL.

30. Bichkaeva FA, Tretyakova TV, Vlasova OS, Gorelov AV, Loskutova AV, Godovykh TV, et al. Tocopherol and fat acids containing in blood at children and adolescents in the North. Human Ecology. 2010;(3):44–49. (In Russ.). EDN: https://elibrary.ru/KZVBDJ.

31. Kolodyazhnaya TA, Tereshchenko VP, Manchuk VT, Novitskaya VP. The age peculiarities of structural functional state of erythrocyte membranes in native children of Taymir. Bulletin of Eastern-Siberian Scientific Center of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. 2005;(6):47–52. (In Russ.). EDN: https://elibrary.ru/LGKWYV.

32. Lyudinina AY, Eseva TV, Potolitsyna NN, Chernykh AA, Bojko ER. Fatty acids composition and food consumption among reindeer herders and urban inhabitants of the European North of Russia. Rural and Remote Health. 2014;14(2):2539. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22605/RRH2539.

33. Dvoretsky AG, Bichkaeva FA, Vlasova OS, Andronov SV, Dvoretsky VG. Fatty acid content of four salmonid fish consumed by indigenous peoples from the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (Northwestern Siberia, Russia). Animals. 2022;12(13):1643. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12131643.

34. Petrenya N, Brustad M, Cooper M, Dobrodeeva L, Bichkaeva F, Lutfalieva G, et al. Serum apolipoproteins in relation to intakes of fish in population of Arkhangelsk County. Nutrition & Metabolism. 2012;9(1):51. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-7075-9-51.

35. Belova N, Lavrinov P, Vorobyova N, Zueva T, Ayvazova E. Alimentary status of native population of the Nenets Autonomous Area. Human Ecology. 2013;(7):10–14. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.17816/humeco17327.

36. Baturin AK, Sorokina EYu, Vrzhesinskaya OA, Beketova NA, Sokolnikov AA, Kobelkova IV, et al. The study of the association between rs2228570 polymorphism of VDR gene and vitamin D blood serum concentration in the inhabitants of the Russian Arctic. Problems of Nutrition. 2017;86(4):77–84. (In Russ.). EDN: https://elibrary.ru/ZFTKJL.

37. Beketova NA, Vrzhesinskaya OA, Keshabyants EE, Kobelkova IV, Denisova NN, Kodentsova VM. Evaluation of vitamin status of the population of the Russian Arctic according to the data on vitamin consumption and serum level. I. P. Pavlov Russian Medical Biological Herald. 2019;27(1):41–48. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.23888/PAVLOVJ201927141-48.

38. Korchina TYa, Kozlova LA, Korchina IV, Glushchenko ED, Yambartsev VA. Analyses of vitamins A, E and C provision of schoolchildren of the radical and not radical nationality Ugra North. Bulletin of Ugric Studies. 2011;(2):166–174. (In Russ.). EDN: https://www.elibrary.ru/PARPHZ.

39. Beketova NA, Kodentsova VM, Vrzhesinskaya OA, Keshabyants EE, Sokolnikov AA, Kosheleva OV, et al. Vitamin status of rural residents, living in Russian Arctic. Problems of Nutrition. 2017;86(3):83–91. (In Russ.). EDN: https://www.elibrary.ru/ZFQFDP.

40. Kozlov A, Khabarova Y, Vershubsky G, Ateeva Y, Ryzhaenkov V. Vitamin D status of northern indigenous people of Russia leading traditional and “modernized” way of life. International Journal of Circumpolar Health. 2014;73(1):26038. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3402/ijch.v73.26038.

41. Kostrova GN, Malyavskaya SI, Lebedev AV. Vitamin D levels in residents of Arkhangelsk during different seasons of the year. Journal of Medical and Biological Research. 2022;10(1):5–14. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.37482/2687-1491-Z085.

42. Malyavskaya SI, Kostrova GN, Lebedev АV, Golysheva ЕV, Karamyan VG. 25 (OH)D levels in the population of Arkhangelsk City in different age groups. Human Ecology. 2018;25(1):60–64. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.33396/1728-0869-2018-1-60-64.

43. Korchina TYa, Sorokun IV. System analysis of parameters of quasi-attractors of behavior of the state vector of antioxidant activity in indigenous and non-indigenous adult population of Yugra. Journal of New Medical Technologies. 2009;16(1):206–208. (In Russ.). EDN: https://elibrary.ru/LAMVVJ.

44. Privalova AG. Comparative system analysis of functional and biochemical status of native and non-native children residing in Yugra. Surgut State Pedagogical University Bulletin. 2009;(1):38–46. (In Russ.). EDN: https://elibrary.ru/MGWLPN.

45. Korchin VI, Bikbulatova LN, Korchina TYa. Specific features of fat-soluble vitamins in the indigenous and administrative population of the far north. Medicinskaya nauka i obrazovanie Urala. 2021;22(3):13–16. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.36361/1814-8999-2021-22-3-13-16.

46. Potolitsyna NN, Bojko ER. Vitamin status in residents of the European North of Russia and its correlation with geographical latitude. Journal of Medical and Biological Research. 2018;6(4):376–386. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.17238/issn2542-1298.2018.6.4.376.

47. Vlasova OS, Bichkaeva FA, Volkova NI, Tretykova TV. Correlations of carbohydrate metabolism indexes, provision of bioelements, B1, B2 vitamins in children and adolescents in the North. Human Ecology. 2016; 23(6):15–20. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.33396/1728-0869-2016-6-15-20.

48. Shevchenko IYu. Health and nutritional behaviour of children of the Krasnoyarsk North. Herald Mechnikov Saint-Petersburg State Medical Academy. 2008;(1):39–41. (In Russ.). EDN: https://elibrary.ru/NTMVKT.

49. Zhurba OM, Efimova NV, Merinov AV, Alekseyenko AN. Bioligical monitoring of content of heavy metals in hair of children in the Arctic zone of Russia. Human Ecology. 2018;25(5):16–21. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.33396/1728-0869-2018-5-16-21.

50. Vinogradova, IA, Varganova, DV, Lugovaya, EA. Gender and age related macroand trace minerals estimation survey among the European North residents. Advances in Gerontology. 2022;12(3):286–293. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S2079057022030158.

51. Bikbulatova LN. Elemental status of the adult population of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. Journal of Medical and Biological Research. 2021;9(3):248–257. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.37482/26871491-Z062.

52. Bakaeva EA, Eremeyshvili AV. Contents of some trace elements in biosubstrates of preschool children of Northern European in Russia. Human Ecology. 2016;23(4):26–31. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.33396/1728-0869-2016-4-26-31.

53. Averyanova IV, Vdovenko SI. Comparative analysis of macroand micronutrient profile of young males in the Russian northeast. Social Aspects of Population Health. 2021;(2):13. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.21045/2071-5021-2021-67-2-13.

54. Khabarova Y, Grigoryeva V, Tuomisto S, Karhunen PJ, Mattila K, Isokoski M. High prevalence of lactase non-persistence among indigenous nomadic Nenets, North-West Russia. International Journal of Circumpolar Health. 2012;71(1):17898. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3402/ijch.v71i0.17898.

55. Pogozheva AV, Sorokina EY, Sokolnikov AA. Associations between obesity and vitamin D availability depending on the rs2228570 polymorphism of the VDR gene and rs9939609 polymorphism of the FTO gene in the midland and the Extreme North of Russia. Almanac of Clinical Medicine. 2019;47(2):112–9. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.18786/2072-0505-2019-47-015.

56. Baturin AK, Sorokina EYu, Pogozheva AV, Keshabyants EE, Kobelkova IV, Kambarov AO, et al. The association of rs993609 polymorphisms of gene FTO and rs659366 polymorphisms of gene UCP2 with obesity among Arctic Russian population. Problems of Nutrition. 2017;86(3):32–39. (In Russ.). EDN: https://elibrary.ru/ZFQEZT.

57. Gridin LA, Shishov AA, Dvornikov MV. Features adaptation reactions of human in Far North. Public Health and Life Environment. 2014;(4):4–6. (In Russ.). EDN: https://www.elibrary.ru/SBXOWL.

58. Potolitsyna NN, Bojko ER, Orr P. Lipid metabolism indices and their correlation with vitamin D levels in indigenous populations of northern European Russia. Human Physiology. 2011;37(2):184–187. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0362119711020174.

59. Boiko ER, Evdokimov VG, Vakhnina NA, Shadrina VD, Potolitsina NN, Varlamova NG, et al. Seasonal aspects of the oxidative stress in Northeners. Aerospace and Environmental Medicine. 2007;41(3):44–48. (In Russ.). EDN: https://elibrary.ru/IATZSJ.

60. Ivanova EG, Potemina TE. Мetabolic syndrome in patients with arterial hypertension living in the far north (on the example of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug — Yugra). Obesity and Metabolism. 2022; 19(4):396–403. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.14341/omet12777.

61. Kodentsova VM, Risnik DV, Sharafetdinov KK, Nikityuk DB. Vitamins in diet of patients with metabolic syndrome. Therapeutic Archive. 2019;91(2):118–125. (In Russ.). DOI: https://doi.org/10.26442/00403660.2019.02.000097.