NATURA
- Jul 6
- 4 min read

The Science of the Inuit Paradox

Updated: Jul 19

This time, I researched the indigenous Inuit people who live in places like Alaska and Canada. ✨✨

The Inuit, also known as the Inupiat, are Mongolian people who crossed over from Asia to Alaska 5,000 years ago. They are categorized into the Inupiat and Yupik of Alaska, the Inuit and Inuvialuit of Canada, the Kalaallit of Greenland, and the Yupik of Russia. Their genes differ from those of East Asian people. ✨✨

The Inuit Paradox refers to the idea that, because the Inuit live in Alaska where vegetables and fruits do not grow, they would be prone to vitamin C deficiency and related diseases. However, surprisingly, they do not suffer from vitamin C deficiency. This is because the animals they eat, such as freshly caught seals, whales, and seafood, provide them with sufficient vitamin C. Whale skin contains vitamin C, and the internal organs of seafood sometimes contain undigested plants from other areas. Additionally, the traditional Inuit dish, which involves fermenting birds inside seal intestines and then burying them, also contains vitamin C. This is why they do not suffer from vitamin deficiency. ✨✨😳😳

However, it is true that their intake of vitamin C is clearly low. There is a possibility that their bodies have evolved to require less vitamin C. Their diet is low in carbohydrates, which means there is less glucose to bind with vitamin C, allowing them to get by with a smaller amount. 😂😂😂😂

Incidentally, the current diet of the Inuit has changed, and fewer Inuit consume traditional foods. More Inuit are consuming American-style fast foods, leading to serious issues with obesity and diabetes.

A survey conducted in 1996 reported that there were 45,000 Inuit living in Canada 🇨🇦. The average life expectancy in Canada was 78.4 years, but in Nunavik, life expectancy was reported to be 14 years shorter.

In particular, in the northern regions, there are chronic deficiencies in vitamin A and folic acid, leading to severe anemia and negative impacts on child development. Additionally, the high prevalence of alcohol and tobacco use has also contributed to increased health issues. ✨✨

The westernization of diets in contemporary society has also reached Inuit regions in the form of unhealthy eating habits. This is shocking and highlights the need for increased global awareness of health issues.

How was it? ✨✨

Initially, I was researching the diet of the Inuit, but as I read papers, I found data on anemia and other health issues, which surprised me. Like the Inuit, we also need to be careful about our diet. ✨✨

[My scientific recommendations]

I will introduce health foods and items with scientific evidence that I also use regularly!!

(California Gold Nutrition series)

California Gold Nutrition is a globally renowned brand for organic supplements sold by iHerb. It undergoes strict testing called "I Tested" and is rigorously checked by third-party organizations for heavy metals and harmful substances, making it the strongest supplement brand.

[California Gold Nutrition. Whey Isolate Protein Vanilla flavor]