Malnutritioned Moose may Shed Light on Osteoarthritis

The key to developing osteoarthritis may be early malnutrition in the womb and childhood, according to research performed on moose arthritis, as reported by The New York Times.

The article focused on the moose of Isle Royale, many of which have arthritis. The results of a 50-year research project uncovered that the moose became arthritic because of malnutrition early in life.

While genetics may still play a role, “the moose work, along with some human research, suggests arthritis’s origins are more complex, probably influenced by early exposures to nutrients and other factors while our bodies are developing,” the article reports.

The nutrients may “influence” the composition or shape of bones, joints, or cartilage, and may “affect hormones" and "the likelihood of later inflammation or oxidative stress.”

The article reports that the findings could lead to nutritional steps that individuals could take to protect against developing the arthritis.