There's one factor that seems to be common to almost all people who suffer from arthritis and backache - and now doctors believe the discovery could point the way to a cure.
Researchers have discovered that most people who suffer from rheumatic pains are deficient in vitamin D, which can be derived from sunlight, and from fish oils and fatty fish.
They tested the vitamin D levels in 231 rheumatic patients in a hospital in Cork, Ireland – and 70 per cent had low levels of the vitamin and, of these, 26 per cent had a severe deficiency.
A severe deficiency can result in inflammatory joint problems, rheumatism, arthritis, backache and osteoporosis, while a mild to moderate deficiency could cause general, non-specific aches and pains.
(Source: Reuters Health).