ICELAND’S DIET THE BEST FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS…

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis in the US. OA is often referred to as “wear and tear” arthritis or degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis patients are mostly affected in the hands, hips and knees, experiencing pain, aching, stiffness, decreased range of motion and swelling.

Osteoarthritis is estimated to affect over 30 million people in the Unites States alone,* this equals almost 1 in every 10 people dealing with the painful effects of arthritis. The sheer number of people demonstrates why we need more research funding devoted to finding an arthritis cure.

As a degenerative joint disease, OA over time, causes inflammation and loss of cartilage in the joints. OA causes inflexibility, pain and stiffness, and is primarily felt in weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips and spine. It can, however, occur in any joint. Unlike systemic, autoimmune forms of arthritis (Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis), Osteoarthritis does NOT affect organs in the body.

Iceland has very low levels of osteoarthritis, arterial and heart disease, in their country. They say this is due to their lifestyles especially their reliance on fish. Oily fish is the richest source of Omega 3 and you can also find it in walnut oil, flaxseed oil, and fish oils.

Osteoarthritis has been intensively studied within the field of palaeopathology. For decades there was assumed to be a direct link between activity and the development of osteoarthritis, and this was reflected in the work which was carried out, with often very specific interpretations of occupation and activity on the basis of the diagnosis of osteoarthritis. There has been a great deal of work in this field in Iceland, where the genetic link to hip, hand, and to a lesser extent knee osteoarthritis has been demonstrated, with the identification of several osteoarthritis families within the population.