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Why Eskimos Don't Go Bald! |
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The Inuit face usually has a very flat, broad and steep forehead as you can see from these pictures.
These are all skull shape characteristics typical of someone who maintains a strong hairline at the front. Furthermore, a very broad forehead will often oppose bone growth throughout the vertex (crown of the scalp). |
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The Inuit people live in small populations and isolated communities. This will restrict genetic diversity in offspring. It therefore follows that similar physical characteristics will be common. And the typical Inuit skull shape is one such genetic trait which will be passed on from one generation to the next.
It should also be noted that the facial features of both the Inuit people and Native American Indians share similarities with the Chinese, and androgenetic alopecia incidence in Asians is similarly believed to be very low. So, there's no doubt in my mind that these ethnic groups support my belief that the genetic characteristic of skull shape is intrinsic to the development of androgenic alopecia.
Diet
The Inuit diet is very high in protein and fat (it's mostly composed of seal, whale and fish such as salmon).
Whilst protein is obviously extremely important for healthy hair growth (hair is almost entirely composed of a protein called keratin) I believe the significance of the Inuit diet lies in the quantity of fat they consume rather than the quantity of protein. (In fact, it is because of their excessively high protein intake that osteoporosis is widespread amongst the Inuit people).
A diet high in fat is not normally associated with either good health or good hair growth. But, the type of fat that the Inuit's consume contains very high levels of Omega 3. This is an essential fatty acid, which means it is essential for health and has to be derived from the diet - the body can't manufacture essential fatty acids itself. Studies have shown that Omega 3 plays a critical role in maintaining good health for the Inuit people.
And Omega 3 can be of benefit to hair growth. These are the reasons why:
- It reduces LDL "bad" cholesterol levels.
- It increases HDL "good" cholesterol levels.
- It reduces DHT (dihydrotestosterone) levels.
- It might form brown fat (brown adipose tissue).
I believe a study of the Inuit people to record their brown fat levels would be an important measure for future research into androgenic alopecia.
Learn more about brown fat and how it might help battle against baldness:
Brown fat and how it can help grow healthy hair.
Another interesting fact to note about one of these groups is that the Native American Indians have historically used saw palmetto as a tonic. Saw palmetto is a small palm indigenous to North America, and the small berries it produces act as a DHT inhibitor. As such, saw palmetto extract is now used by many people to treat BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia: this condition causes prostate gland enlargement and has been linked to high DHT levels).
And, because it's a DHT inhibitor, many people also use saw palmetto for hair growth treatment. Since it's a herb and not a pharmaceutical drug, saw palmetto and hair growth ingredients like biotin, zinc and other vitamins and minerals have all found their way into dietary supplements as alternative methods of treatment for hair loss caused by androgenic alopecia.
Other ethnic groups with historically low rates of androgenic alopecia (such as the Japanese) are now experiencing a rapid rise in this type of hair loss. The reason why, is mostly due to changes in their diet...
Learn about foods and vitamins for healthy hair growth.
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