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July 27, 2007
Antioxidants linked to better bone health for
osteoarthritis
By Stephen Daniells
27/07/2007 - Increased intake of fruit and the antioxidants
they contain, like vitamins C and E, may improve bone health and
may reduce the risk of osteoarthritis.
"Our study suggests a beneficial effect of vitamin C intake
on the reduction in bone size and the number of bone marrow lesions,
both which are important in the pathogenesis of knee osteoarthritis,"
wrote lead author Yuanyuan Wang from Monash University.
Osteoarthritis effects about seven million people in the UK alone
are reported to have long-term health problems associated with
arthritis. Around 206m working days were lost in the UK in 1999-2000,
equal to £18bn (€26bn) of lost productivity.
The new study, published in the Arthritis Research & Therapy,
recruited 293 health adults (average age 58) without knee pain
or injury, and asked them to complete a 121-item food frequency
questionnaire (FFQ) to assess antioxidant intake.
Ten years after the start of the study the researchers measured
cartilage volume, bone area, cartilage defects and bone marrow
lesions using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Increased intake of vitamin C was associated with a 50 per cent
reduced risk of bone marrow lesions, and a smaller bone area.
Fruit intake was also linked to a smaller tibial plateau bone
area and a 28 per cent reduction in the risk of bone marrow lesions.
Neither fruit nor vitamin C intake was associated with cartilage
measurements.
Increased intake of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin was
associated with a 29 per cent reduction in the risk of cartilage
defects, while beta-cryptoxanthin intake was linked to smaller
tibial plateau bone area.
The researchers stated that the effects of nutrients on knee
structure is likely to be complicated.
"Our study suggests that the direct effect of vitamin C
is on bone rather than cartilage," they said. "Although
vitamin C and vitamin E are known potent antioxidants, given that
different effect of vitamin C and vitamin E was found on bone
area in this study, it may be that the mechanism of action in
this situation is not via an antioxidant effect."
Indeed, Wang and co-workers suggested that since vitamin C is
a cofactor in the hydroxylation of lysine and proline, it could
be considered a required nutrient in the cross-linking of collagen
fibrils in bone.
"These observations support dietary recommendation for eating
more fruit. While our findings need to be confirmed by larger
longitudinal studies, they highlight the potential of diet to
modify the risk of osteoarthritis," concluded the researchers.
Source: Arthritis Research & Therapy
2007, 9:R66, doi:10.1186/ar2225
"Effect of antioxidants on knee cartilage and bone in healthy,
middle-aged subjects: a cross-sectional study"
Authors: Y. Wang, A.M. Hodge, A.E. Wluka, D.R. English, G.G. Giles,
R. O'Sullivan, A. Forbes and F.M. Cicuttini
Source: www.nutraingredients.com
Comment:
Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, affects
12.1 percent of U.S. adults, or 20.7 million people in the
US. As with other types of arthritis, women are at higher
risk than men for the condition. The knee joint is the most
commonly affected joint, as it does most of the weight bearing.
Though the average age is above 65 years, the numbers of younger
patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis are increasing. This
study confirms what Dr. Rath has already proven with the pilot
clinical study in arthritis with nutrient supplementation.
In this trial, conducted by Monash University, the researchers
tested the combined effects of Vitamin C and Vitamin E. Dr.
Rath's protocol included these and many other synergistically
acting nutrients - including lysine and proline - to support
joint stability and regeneration of bones. The lead author
of the Monash University study also reiterates the fact that
Vitamin C is cofactor in the hydroxylation of lysine and proline,
and could be considered a required nutrient in the cross-linking
of collagen fibrils in bone. This principle is already used
in many of the lab studies and pilot clinical trials conducted
at Dr. Rath's Research Institute. Over a decade ago, Dr. Rath
initiated a new concept of nutrient synergy and the synergistic
combination of Vitamin C, Lysine, proline, and other cellular
nutrients that has been successfully applied in several chronic
diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer that require
collagen connective tissue stability. Please read more about
the research and scientific publications on this subject on
www.drrathresearch.org |
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