Catalyst Athletics Forums - View Single Post - Bone Mineral Content of North Alaskan Eskimos.

Craig Van De Walker · 10-14-2009, 02:28 PM

I have a question or possibly just food for thought. Have patience while I slowly get to my questions.

I realize that "bone density" is always discussed in terms of "mineral content". Bone however has many components some of which can be quite strong in both tension and compression. I like to think of the horn of a ram which seems quite strong but is not made of primarily calcium. The question I have is that yes the mineral contact of this population seems to be slightly less especially in the older group.

1-Does that in any way prove that Eskimos bones are any less strong?
2-Could they possibly have a proportionate increase in the other structural components that make up bone.
3-Is the assumption being made that all population bases have the exact same bone development (by that I mean exactly the same proportion of each bone constituent)

They have lived in that environment for many generations they would have had a lot longer to develop a slightly different physiology to low calcium availability than modern man has had time to adjust to a diet of processed food.

10-14-2009, 02:28 PM	#2
Craig Van De Walker New Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 26	I have a question or possibly just food for thought. Have patience while I slowly get to my questions. I realize that "bone density" is always discussed in terms of "mineral content". Bone however has many components some of which can be quite strong in both tension and compression. I like to think of the horn of a ram which seems quite strong but is not made of primarily calcium. The question I have is that yes the mineral contact of this population seems to be slightly less especially in the older group. 1-Does that in any way prove that Eskimos bones are any less strong? 2-Could they possibly have a proportionate increase in the other structural components that make up bone. 3-Is the assumption being made that all population bases have the exact same bone development (by that I mean exactly the same proportion of each bone constituent) They have lived in that environment for many generations they would have had a lot longer to develop a slightly different physiology to low calcium availability than modern man has had time to adjust to a diet of processed food.