On Sat, 13 Nov 1999, Justin Hasselman wrote:

> Although I generally agree that ketosis isn't optiumum and will induce free
> radical damage, I feel the premature aging of the Eskimos was far more
> related to a lack of vitamin C.  Maybe the Eskimos problem was more along
> these lines: premature aging = 80% no vit. C and 20% ketogenic diet.  The
> assertion that the Eskimos had more of a problem with vit. C than ketosis is
> supported by the fact that they suffered from hemorrhaging and nose bleeds,
> a symptom of vit. C deficiency.

In a way, these are two aspects of the same problem.  One of the
things that vitamin C does is to scavenge free radicals.  If the
diet of the Inuit caused high levels of free radicals then they
would indeed need more free-radical scavengers than another
person might.  All this assumes, of course, that the free radical
theory of aging is correct.

The tendency to hemorrhage is also an indication of excessive
levels of w-3 fats, which is consistent with a diet that makes
extensive use of cold water fish.

Todd Moody
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