Introduction

A recent viral claim circulating on social media suggests that the Inuit, known for their traditional diets primarily composed of red meat and animal fats, do not suffer from heart disease. This assertion is championed by veterinarian and naturopath Joel D. Wallach, who states, “Everybody knows cholesterol is a myth.” He describes the Inuit diet, claiming it lacks vegetables and mainly consists of whale and bear meat, propagating the idea that cholesterol plays no detrimental role in heart health.

Expert Refutation

However, experts quickly refute this notion, clarifying that the Inuit people do indeed experience heart disease and that a diet high in animal fats can significantly increase levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol—a major risk factor for cardiovascular issues.

Historical Context

Historically, Danish researchers Hans Olaf Bang and Jørn Dyerberg posited in the 1970s that the high amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids in the traditional Inuit diet resulted in lower cholesterol levels, which supposedly protected them from heart disease. Yet, a critical 2014 review from the University of Ottawa uncovered that previous studies did not adequately assess Inuit coronary artery disease (CAD) rates and instead relied on potentially flawed medical records, leading to underestimations of heart disease prevalence among this population.

Current Findings

Further investigations into the health of Inuit peoples reveal alarming facts. Research indicates that the rates of coronary artery disease in Greenland's Inuit were comparable to non-Indigenous populations, with a striking mortality rate reported as twice that of their non-Inuit counterparts and a life expectancy reduced by a decade.

Evidence from Ancient Populations

A revealing study from the University of Pennsylvania in 1993 examined Aleut mummies from Alaska and found evidence of coronary artery disease. Similarly, a 2013 study published in *The Lancet* highlighted atherosclerosis in ancient Aleut populations, and as recently as 2019, scans of 16th-century Inuit mummies confirmed signs of this dangerous condition, suggesting a long history of cardiovascular issues among these communities.

Critics' Perspective

Critics like cardiologist David Colquhoun from Australia’s Heart Foundation have called the claims spreading on social media 'a lot of garbage,' emphasizing that replicating the Inuit diet is not advisable. He pointed out that many Inuit individuals do not live long enough to develop typical conditions associated with coronary disease, tackling the myth that they are immune to such health problems.

Life Expectancy and Health Myths

Andrew Reynolds, a senior research fellow at the University of Otago and an advisor for the World Health Organization on dietary fats, stresses the misleading nature of the statement that 'Eskimos don’t get heart disease,' reminding us that traditional Inuit life expectancy was shockingly low—often ranging from 30 to 40 years.

Misleading Health Narratives

Dr. Reynolds also emphasizes the dangers of using historic health inequities like that of the Inuit people to promote misleading health narratives on social media, which can have severe implications for public understanding of nutrition and heart health.

Scientific Consensus

The American Heart Association firmly maintains that vast scientific evidence shows saturated fats can elevate 'bad' cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of heart disease. Similar recommendations are echoed by heart foundations in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, advocating for a limit on saturated fat intake.

Conclusion

This evolving conversation around diet, culture, and heart health serves as a critical reminder of the importance of relying on thoroughly researched scientific evidence rather than viral myths. As more people turn to social media for answers about health, experts continue to push back against misinformation, stressing the significance of well-rounded nutritional information and understanding heart health risks.