Joint study - goodnews - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predict rise in cases of arthritis - Brief Article

Better Nutrition, Sept, 2003

The number of older Americans suffering from arthritis is expected to nearly double in about 25 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. Why? Primarily because millions of baby boomers are heading into retirement.

The CDC said May 29 that current data indicate that 41.1 million people aged 65 and older will suffer from arthritis or chronic joint symptoms by 2030--compared to an estimated 21.4 million in 2005.

The percentage of the US population that will be 65 and older is expected to grow to 20 percent in 2030 from 12.9 percent in 2005.

The CDC notes that rising obesity and physical inactivity among Americans are helping fuel the growing arthritis problem. Health experts believe that a combination of proper diet, weight control, exercise and regular medical treatment can control both the prevalence and severity of arthritis. There is no cure.

Dietary fatty acids such as omega-3s found in the oils of fish and sea animals may have some benefit for sufferers. However, no studies have yet confirmed this; and there are risks associated with combining fish oil and other common arthritis medications such as aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Increased intake of antioxidants such as selenium and vitamin E may decrease free-radical damage to joint linings. But so far, there have been no human clinical trials that convincingly prove or disprove the efficacy of antioxidant use.

Supplementation of calcium and vitamin D is sometimes recommended to decrease the risk of osteoporosis that results from nutritional loss of these supplements, from menopause and from anti-arthritis steroid therapy.

Arthritis, a musculo-skeletal disease that causes painful inflammation and deformity in the joints, is the leading cause of disability in the United States.