Vitamin C : A Cause of Osteoarthritis?
Contradictory Findings?At first glance, the new findings may seem at odds with the results of another, similar study released just last week. That study, conducted by researchers at Duke University, found that excessively high levels of vitamin C might encourage the development of osteoarthritis. Study results, which appear in Arthritis & Rheumatism have shown that the long-term use of vitamin C may worsen the severity of osteoarthritis of the knee. Researchers analyzed the effect of eight months of low, medium, and high doses of vitamin C in guinea pigs. Guinea pigs, like humans, are not able to synthesize vitamin C for themselves. The high dose group developed the most severe osteoarthritis of the knee and worst cartilage damage. The researchers in this study concluded that dietary intake of vitamin C should not be supplemented above the current recommended dietary allowance: 90 mg per day for men; 75 mg. per day for women. But Dr. John H. Klippel, president of the Arthritis Foundation, said the two studies may not be so far apart. "First of all," he said, "we have to remember that these are two different disease processes." Klippel said that Vitamin C may be especially effective in preventing rheumatoid arthritis because it's a powerful antioxidant, fighting molecules that trigger rheumatoid inflammation. Co-author of the Duke University study Pattison agreed, noting that vitamin C "also has a critical role as a cofactor in collagen synthesis, the main protein found in [joint] tissue and bone, critical for bone and joint health." Vitamin C may fight rheumatoid disease in a third way. According to Pattison, infection can trigger flare-ups of the rheumatoid immune response, and vitamin C's "integral role in fighting infection" may work to keep infection-linked inflammation at bay. Klippel pointed out that both studies stress moderation in vitamin C intake as the best route to healthy bones and joints. "It's excessive amounts of intake that seems to be the problem in osteoarthritis," he said. Friday, June 11 (HealthDayNews) Ester-CR Ascorbate's Therapeutic Success in ArthritisThe majority of physicians working with arthritic sufferers develop treatment regimes to alleviate the arthritis pain in the individual. It is difficult to set up controlled cross-over trials to assess the effectiveness of various treatments, and, as a result, most available information is anecdotal and subjective. Countless case histories exist detailing the effects of Ester-CR ascorbate; the following represents a small sample exerted from one doctor's files. Dr. Edwin Goertz, a Canadian-trained physician with a distinguished medical career in Canada and the United States in Emergency Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine and private practice, has used Ester-CR with 300 arthritic patients. Dr. Goertz reports(90): "....at least 50 per cent have consistently reported beneficial results in their symptoms using Ester-CR either as a primary treatment or as adjunctive therapy. A case histories is provided as an example:Female age 61. Diagnosis, osteoarthritis of many years effecting major joints and back. Patient had very limited success with various arthritis medications and treatment. She was placed on Ester-CR ascorbate t.i.d. (3 times per day) along with calcium salicylate 800 mg t.i.d. She was virtually free of arthritis pain for one and a half months until she incurred back strain. For a brief time she ran out of Ester-CR ascorbate and substituted Vitamin C with immediate exacerbation of arthritis pain. Patient insisted on remaining on Ester-CR during the past year and has experienced no side effects. Summary of Vitamin C's Role
Vitamin C and Arthritis: ConclusionModeration in vitamin C intake is advised for maintaining healthy bones and joints. Excessive vitamin C intake can be problematic. Eating fruits and vegetables to get daily recommended doses of vitamin C naturally is encouraged. Read on for both medical and natural treatment approaches Some of our Moist Heat wraps for Arthritis ....
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