Vitamin C Plays Protective Role Against Degeneration Associated with Osteoarthritis

Vitamin C Plays Protective Role Against Degeneration Associated with Osteoarthritis

By Dr. Patrick Lovegrove Medically Reviewed by Lindsay Langley, BSN, RN, CHT

Posted Wednesday, January 3rd, 2018

Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is a major cause of functional disability as we age. When comparing the chronic diseases suffered by the elderly, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are known to be the most common conditions.

The prevalence of co-morbid conditions makes treating elderly osteoarthritis patients different from other populations. Many of these patients are on numerous medications which can have interactions or severe side effects. Therefore, the treatment or management of a variety of conditions in the elderly population can be a challenge.

Although there is a substantial amount of scientific and clinical research on osteoarthritis. Still, there is no uniform agreement regarding the cause and pathogenesis of the condition. Generally agreed that cause is multifactorial.

There are lots of common nutrients are in the market today that support connective tissues. These nutrients are glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen hydrolysates, MSM, and hyaluronic acid.

According to a study published two weeks ago in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, researchers demonstrated a protective role of ascorbic acid on osteoarthritic osteoblasts.

In this study, the research team isolated human osteoarthritic subchondral bone. They showed that vitamin C had a significant effect on cell proliferation. And slightly larger percentages of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant protection against excessive free radical formation that can cause cell death. Free radicals and oxidative stress play a significant role in the dysfunction and decreased number of osteoblasts during aging. This study demonstrates that vitamin C can be used to counteract oxidative stress and increase the life span of osteoblasts.

In addition, ascorbic acid is needed for the hydroxylation of amino acids for the synthesis of collagen, and insufficiency is associated with defects in connective tissue repair. Therefore, supplementing with nutrients such as collagen, glucosamine sulfate, and vitamin Care protection can help mitigate connective tissue degeneration associated with osteoarthritis.

About the author

Dr. Patrick Lovegrove