Iceland Naturally Icelanders and Good Health Foreign scientists and journalists have noted the excellent health of the Icelandic nation. Icelanders are on the top of the list regarding life expectancy when compared with other European nations and the USA. The reason? Well, there is no simple answer to that question; however, "One main reason for the good health and long life-expectancy among Icelanders is the advanced state of midwifery and postnatal care here in Iceland. Infant mortality during the first four weeks after birth is among the lowest in the world, and only three out of every 1000 infants die at birth," stated Iceland's Surgeon General, Sigurður Guðmundsson. "Genes are of course a factor in this connection, so life expectancy is inherited," continued Dr. Guðmundsson. "Another important factor is that Iceland is a prosperous nation: it is among the wealthiest in the world today, and the people are in general highly educated. It is a basic reality that in those countries where people have high incomes and solid educations, long life-expectancies and good health follow," said the Surgeon General. Iceland Naturally has certainly had a significant influence on the health of the nation. Iceland's magnificent, pristine nature is available to everyone, and is always close by. Dr. Guðmundur Björnsson, a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation, points out that being out in nature is healthy, whether one is walking, fishing, mountain trekking, skiing or horseback riding. "These activities are good for the body and soul. Icelanders generally live in small communities; in the capital of Reykjavík there are only 112,000 residents, and virtually no pollution. The air quality in major cities, however, has an affect on the body similar to smoking," said Dr. Björnsson. "Another important factor in the good health of the Icelandic nation involves the large quantity of fish consumed. Fish contains Omega 3 fatty acids and that plays a role in preventing heart and circulatory diseases, and reduces cholesterol in the blood." The Surgeon General also pointed out that serious diseases associated with insects and other animals are virtually unknown here. Nature is pure and the water clean and unpolluted. Also, the lowest occurrence of cirrhosis-related deaths is in Iceland, compared to Europe and the States. According to the Surgeon General, the main reasons for this are the nation's low consumption of alcohol and low frequency of hepatitis, along with a fine health-care system. It is also interesting to note that the frequency of allergy related ailments are somewhat lower among Icelanders than other Europeans and Americans. Dr. Unnur Steina Björnsdóttir, associate professor of alleries at the National University Hospital commented that "...one of the most convincing explanations for the low prevalence of asthma in Iceland is that we live in a low-allergen indoor environment. We don't tend to have carpets or lots of soft furnishings in our homes. Houses are also well-heated at very low cost thanks to our natural supply of geothermal hot water. This means that we keep the rooms constantly heated and leave the windows open - an excellent way of ventilating the home and keeping house dust-mite levels to a minimum." Furthermore, Iceland has an extremely low pollen count. There is very little airborne pollen during April and May. At the end of May there is a short birch pollen season which lasts around three weeks and a brief grass pollen season at the end of July and August. But what of the Nordic ancestors? Are they to be thanked for a relatively asthma-free population? "Certainly our forefathers had to develop strong immune systems to cope with the challenges of a hardy outdoor life," said Dr. Björnsdóttir. "In fact, recent research is indicating that Icelanders lack the genetic markers that predispose someone to severe asthma." Perhaps the fact that swimming is the national pastime is also - in part - responsible for creating a nation of people with healthy lungs? "I don't think you can say that swimming is the reason why there is so little asthma in Iceland, but the benefits to the respiratory system of swimming in the warm water have been well documented," said Dr. Björnsdóttir. "Swimming in outdoor pools heated with hot spring water is great exercise and strengthens the heart and lungs." Swimming is compulsory amongst school-aged children, but Icelanders of all ages join in the swimming culture. "Older people and those with arthritis find the hot tubs and steam rooms particularly beneficial," said Dr. Björnsdóttir. "There is no doubt that thermal water has a particularly good affect on the health of Icelanders," said Dr. Guðmundur Björnsson. Bathing in hot-spring water has a relaxing affect on the body, reducing levels of stress and strain. It also softens the muscles and limbers up stiff joints." According to research conducted in 16 other European countries, life expectancy of Icelanders suffering from several types of cancer - breast, cervical, prostate and thyroid - is better than patients with comparative diseases in Europe. It is interesting to note that the life expectancy of Icelandic men was significantly better than in the other countries. Heart and coronary diseases have declined by 30% among Icelandic women and by 50% among Icelandic men over the last 20 years. According to the MONICA research, conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 29 research groups from 18 countries, the mortality rate of those with coronary thrombosis was lowest among Icelandic men, and next lowest among Icelandic women.