Via Fanatic Cook
Study shows high prevalence of osteoporosis among Alaskan Eskimo. High protein diet resulting in leached calcium is proposed explanation.
The abstract also suggests calcium intake is low however the report itself says “Calcium intake is sufficiently high to preclude a deficiency.”
Unfortunately the data doesn’t go back far enough to see whether this was an issue before flour and other refined carbs became staples in the Eskimo and Inuit diet. The data may also indicate that Eskimos are highly unsuited to a modern diet as opposed to suffering from excess protein consumption.
The study itself did not provide stats on the high-protein nature of their diet. Traditionally it has been high-protein but it would be worthwhile to see what the macronutrient breakdown of their diet is today.
The word Eskimo may come from the Cree “Uskipoo” which means “raw meat eater” (another theory holds that it derives from an Ojibwa word meaning “to net snowshoes”).
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Aside: The days of the raw meat eaters be long gone however Dr. Jay Wortman is working to reintroduce the indigenous low carb diet back to native communities in order to deal with chronic levels of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Harpoon 