Thicker Blood

Alaskans seem to handle the cold much better than visitors. Many attribute this to their “thicker blood.” But have their bodies actually changed or are they just numb? According to Dennis O’ Neil, of Palomar College, the human body does change.

Dennis states that the human body has three basic responses when adapting to cold climates:

1. Increased Metabolism

2. Fat Gain Around the Organs

3. Changes in Blood Circulation

This means that you will be eating more and will probably gain some weight. These natural responses better prepare you for your surroundings.

Some people can move up North and not gain a pound or never seem to get cold. Could they be genetically predisposed to life in the North? Yes they can, O’Neil stated. Alaska Natives have genetics to thank for their comfort in the cold weather. Their bodies evolved with shorter limbs and stockier frames to better handle the frozen terrain. On average, as people get farther from the equator, body mass increases to generate heat and their limbs shorten to prevent heat loss. This represents Bergmann’s rule and Allen’s rule, which shows the adaptations by their bodies to cope with the colder climate.