Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group The question of Race

It says here [http://www.swedish.org/14156.cfm] that Ankylosing Spondylitis is more common in "Native Americans and Caucasians of North America and Western Europe".
In [http://www.yourmedicalsource.com/library/ankylosingspondylitis/AS_causes.html], it says that "Ankylosing spondylitis occurs more frequently in some ethnic groups. In the United States, it occurs most frequently among Native Americans and is almost never found among African Americans. Chinese individuals have the gene much more often than Japanese individuals."

Anyone here has any views on this?
Is this related to the dietary factors?

Some theories are that people in southern hemispheres adapted to an agricultural diet much more quickly than those in northern hemispheres who remained hunter-gatherers for a longer period of time in history. Thus, grain-based, agricultural diets may be a trigger for a whole variety of illnesses for people whose origins are from northern hemispheres.

Anyway, that's one theory -- which makes sense to those of us who find that the No Starch Diet works. It also seems from what others have written, that for aboriginal peoples (who have been non-agricultural), many illnesses seem to develop with the introduction of the refined, grain based diet.

Paula

I think this theory can also be applied to the situation with the Chinese (who I expect have a longer agricultural history) versus the Japanese who have a diet high in seafood, veggies -- and yes, rice (but that seems to be a fringe food for some on the No Starch Diet).

At least that's my impression.

Paula

We had a discussion about this some time ago, actually. The HLA-B27 tissue type is more prevalent in the Northern Hemisphere. There's a genetic factor in the Southern Hemisphere that seems to block AS. Can't remember what it is, tho, or even if I'm remembering that correctly. Hopefully, someone can set me straight on it.

Hugs,

You summed the whole thread up perfectly! It was a rather long thread if memory serves, I'll take a look for it tomorrow, am tired now. Night!

Figures I am american indian.

Well then where do I fit in all of this. first off I am a Hispanic Male in his late 20's no native american blood in his body, no cacusian either. just stright up pure Hispanic. so what does that say about that chart.

I am of British isle extraction which seems to have a lot of ASers and of course northern europeans that the british isles were colonised by. but here in California i have run into People of Mexican decent who have it also.i don't know that is important but I hope they find a cure or a n excellent way to control it!
kev

Jeremy, it just means you're special.

Hugs,