Ascorbic acid, better known as vitamin C, is an antioxidant that protects the body from oxidative stress -- the damage caused by reactive oxygen molecules called free radicals. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the antioxidants in ascorbic acid seem to slow cartilage loss in osteoarthritis patients, treat inflammation, and arrest the worsening symptoms of arthritis. Speak to your doctor or healthcare provider about ascorbic acid if you have arthritis or if you are at risk of developing the disease.
Antioxidants
The antioxidants in ascorbic acid neutralize some of the damage caused by free radicals -- compounds created by the production of food into energy and exposure to toxic chemicals and environmental toxins such as pollution and cigarette smoke. According to University of Maryland Medical Center, free radicals play a significant role in the development of numerous inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Bone Marrow Lesions
Researchers in Australia learned that the antioxidants in ascorbic acid reduced the number of bone marrow lesions in a group of 293 adults. Bone marrow lesions are one of the factors implicated in the onset of osteoarthritis of the knee. The researchers followed the group over 10 years and found that the subjects with a high intake of vitamin C manifested less bone marrow lesions. The results of this study were published in the 2007 issue of "Arthritis Research and Therapy."
Prevention
University of South Florida researchers reported that ascorbic acid plays a role in the prevention of osteoarthritis, particularly in the knee. A longitudinal study that commenced in 1988 and concluded in 2011 discovered that subjects who supplemented vitamin C over the course of the study were 11 per cent less likely to develop osteoarthritis in the knee compared to the study subjects who did not supplement ascorbic acid at all. The journal "Public Health Nutrition" published the findings in its April 2011 issue.
Sources
According to Medline Plus, all fruits and vegetables contain a certain amount of ascorbic acid; however, some sources contain more. Fruit with rich sources of ascorbic acid include pineapple, blueberries, mango, kiwi, cantaloupe and watermelon. Many vegetables also offer high levels of ascorbic acid, including tomatoes, Brussels sprouts, squash, spinach and sweet potatoes.
References
- U.S. National Library of Medicine Medline Plus: Vitamin C; Alison Evert, M.S., R.D., C.D.E.; April 2011
- U.S. National Library of Medicine Medline Plus: Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid); March 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin C - Overview; David Zieve, M.D., M.H.A., et al.; December 2009
- "Arthritis Research and Therapy": Effect of Antioxidants on Knee Cartilage and Bone in Healthy, Middle-Aged Subjects: A Cross-Sectional Study; Y. Wang, et al.; 2007
- "Public Health Nutrition": The Effects of Vitamin C Supplementation on Incident and Progressive Knee Osteoarthritis: A Longitudinal Study; J. Peregoy, et al.; April 2011
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