Category: Arctic survival

Contrary to the widespread belief that a diet without fresh fruits and vegetables must lead to scurvy, the Inuit of the Arctic traditionally maintained excellent health. A primary question has long been, "How did the Inuit get vitamin C?", given their predominantly animal-based diet in an environment where plants are scarce. The answer lies in their deep knowledge of their food sources and preparation methods.

For populations living at high latitudes, like the Inuit, skin synthesis of vitamin D from sunlight is virtually nonexistent for several months of the year due to the low angle of the sun. This raises a critical question: how do Eskimos get vitamin D and maintain bone health without sufficient sunlight exposure?