MINERAL CONTENTS IN HAIR FROM ORIOMO PAPUANS AND AKITA DWELLWRS

Naosuke Sasaki, Koichi Takemori, Ryutaro Ohtsuka and Tsuneyoshi Suzuki

Ecology of Food and Nutition (1981,Vol.11, pp117-120)

Mineral(Na,K,Ca,Mg and Zu) contents in the hair from two populations,Oriomo Papuas and Akita in Japan, which have different salt intake, were investigated. Determination of minerals was conducted on untreated hair samples and hair samples washed with distilled water or ten percent acetic acid solution. The sodium contents of the hair of persons living in Akita whose salt intake was in excess of 20 g/day was significantly greater than that of the hair of Papuans whose salt intake was estimated to be about 200 mg/day. The potassium level in untreated Papuan hair was significantly greater than that of the hair in Akita:but in washed hair the opposite was found. The sodium/potassium ratio of hair from Akita was significantly greater than that of Papua hair in all treatments. Except when acid washing was used, no differences were observed calcium contents. Magnesium levels did not differ whatever treatment had beemn applied. The zinc contents of Papuan hair significantly less than that of Akita hair.

KEY WORDS: hair, sodium potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, minareals, salt intake, Oriomo Papuan, Akita dwellers.

（back)