What wasn't mentioned in this article is that the Orkney Islands are being used for a variety of health studies, and researchers are learning that this population is not very healthy. Dr. Jim Wilson has many studies ongoing--this is from a press release in 2004--
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 084822.htm
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh are launching a new two-year study aimed at improving treatment for three of Scotland's most common life-threatening diseases: heart disease, stroke and diabetes. The study will recruit 1,000 adults from one of the remotest parts of the UK-- the North Isles of Orkney. The islands have been chosen for the project because the people living there are isolated geographically, which means they share a more similar environment: there is less variety in occupations, diet and other factors compared with most other areas of Scotland.
The stability of the population also allows family trees to be traced back as many as eight generations, which will enable researchers from the University and the Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit in Edinburgh to understand the impact of genetic factors on the development of the three diseases. Lead investigator Dr Jim Wilson of Public Health Sciences at the University of Edinburgh explained: "The Orkney Cardiovascular Disease Study (ORCADES) will increase our understanding of the relative roles of inheritance and the environment in causing these diseases, and will include a search for any genes that predispose strongly to illness. The volunteers taking part in the project will have the benefit of a health check and will also be contributing to improving the health of the community in Orkney, and in Scotland as a whole, through medical research."
And what have researchers learned since? It's not just genes---there are many environmental factors leading to ill health.
There are high numbers of cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes and other diseases.
Orkney has much higher rates of
obesity and diabetes than the rest of the UK.
http://www.orkney.gov.uk/Files/Active_S ... 13_web.pdf
Alchoholism is a major problem on the Orkney Islands. Alcohol addiction and abuse are reported at higher than average numbers in the populace. 90% of the population drinks alcohol regularly.
One third of all residents smoke
cigarettes. One in three teenage girls are regular smokers. 40% of all adults said that they came in daily contact with cigarette smoke.
Diet on the islands consists of soups, stews, potatoes, baked goods.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are hard to find.
Exercise and outdoor activities are limited due to climate. People have
low vitamin D levels.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3027007
http://www.drugmisuse.isdscotland.org/d ... /DASAT.pdf
http://jech.bmj.com/content/34/4/240.full.pdf
What does all this mean? Genetic factors, epigentic factors, and environmental factors all need to be considered in the Orkney Island study.....it's not just about low vitamin D, or a vaccine, or viking genes. It would be nice if health was that simple. But it's much more complex.
cheer