These Viking, seafaring nations of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland are reported to be the happiest, healthiest and longest living people in the world. In fact Norway and Denmark have topped the Legatum Prosperity Index (the world happiness report) for years.
But the most impressive measure of Nordic superiority, comes from Iceland, home of the world’s longest-living people. Here, they are living well past 80 years old — the highest life expectancy in the world.
Icelanders not only outlive Americans by nearly five years, they also have remarkably low rates of heart disease, depression, obesity, high blood pressure, arthritis, dementia, diabetes and Alzheimers.
It was once thought that the Nordic diet was so protective against chronic illness due to the religious intake of fish, rich in omega-3 (which most of the Western world doesn’t consume enough of). Omega-3 oils have miraculous health benefits. But, as it turns out, this theory is only half of the story.
Now scientists theorize that their widespread good health can also be attributed to its volcanoes whose eruptions periodically blanket the soil with sulphur- and selenium-containing ash.
The roles of selenium and sulfur in wellness are much more profound than previously imagined. Even slight deficiencies can suppress immune function.
Unfortunately, the modern food supply does not contain reliable amounts of these life-giving minerals. Due to chemical fertizilers, American soils are low in sulfur and selenium.
Early in 1980, Finland became alarmed over the increasing disease rate of its population and banned all chemical fertilizers. Their disease rates have dropped to one tenth (10%) of the 1985 levels. As there disease rate continues to drop in Finland, U.S. disease rates continue to climb.
