1. Expect Arthritis With Age
Osteoarthritis finds its way to the joints, particularly the knee and hip joints. The cushion in the joints, known as cartilage, breaks down and causes friction and pain. Sometimes osteoarthritis leads to hip fractures. According to the World Health Organization, 1.2 billion people over 60 years of age can expect to have osteoarthritis by 2025.
2. Vitamin C: Too Much of a Good Thing?
With so many people suffering from osteoarthritis, researchers naturally want to find ways to both treat and prevent arthritis. In 2004, the Arthritis Foundation and the National Institutes of Health sponsored a study on the relationship between Vitamin C and osteoarthritis. A Duke University research team located guinea pigs to find out what happened when you provided them with a low, medium or high dose of Vitamin C. They found that guinea pigs receiving high dosages of Vitamin C were more likely to develop cartilage damage and bony spurs in a knee joint. Researchers also discovered that Vitamin C made a specific protein known for bone growth more active, which accelerated joint damage.
3. Just Say no to Vitamin C Megadoses
What does a study about guinea pigs, arthritis and Vitamin C have to do with people suffering from osteoarthritis? Interestingly, arthritis in the knee develops in a similar fashion between the two species. Another interesting similarity is that neither people nor guinea pigs can make Vitamin C for themselves; therefore, both humans and guinea pigs must get Vitamin C from their diet. A lack of Vitamin C leads to a disease called scurvy. The study does not say to avoid Vitamin C, but recommends avoiding large doses of the vitamin over time. As a relatively safe antioxidant vitamin, people often hear about the benefits of megadoses of Vitamin C. Clearly, osteoarthritis may be a condition where that's not the case. Sticking to the recommended amount of Vitamin C may be your best bet. These amounts include 75 milligrams for women and for men, 90 milligrams daily.
4. Watch Nutrition News
Previously, medical professionals believed that Vitamin C protected people from osteoarthritis in the knee, and there's still evidence that it may be beneficial for another form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis. Some people disagree with the results of the Duke University study, and there's a question whether the weight of the guinea pigs was a factor in the results. Medical professionals have already established that excess body weight makes osteoarthritis worse. Regardless, people with arthritis need to know more about the relationship between Vitamin C and osteoarthritis. While waiting for additional research to surface, the safest course seems to be to limit Vitamin C for osteoarthritis.
Member Comments