How Vitamin-C works on Arthritis:

Vitamin-C is widely known for its ability to boost the immune system and fight free radicals. Vitamin-C is also a key component in collagen production. Collagen is the base material for connective tissues and it is very important for the maintennance of healthy bones and cartilage. Joint cartilage is made up of the so called Type-2 collagen which degenerates in Osteoarthritis.  Supplementation of Vitamin-C helps  in the maintennance and repair of damaged cartilage tissues. Another study in vitamin-C and arthritis suggest that Vitamin-C may reduce the loss of cartilage and  reduce the rate of disease progression.

Side Effects and Precautions of Vitamin-C:

High dosage intake may cause hyperacidity.

Forms, Dosage and Brand Names:

Adults: Norman Shealy of “The Complete Family Guide to Alternative Medicine” suggests consuming 2 g/day of Ascorbic Acid. It is available as Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Ascorbate, Sodium Ascorbate and Magnesium Ascorbate in capsule or tablet form.

Pregnant Women: Safe and Well tolerated.

Children: Safe and Well tolerated.

References about Vitamin-C and Arthritis:

McAlindon” T.E., et al. “Do antioxidant micronutrients protect against the development and progression of knee arthritis?,” Arthritis and Rheumatism 39(4):648-656. 1996.

Heliovaara, M. et al. “Serum antioxidants and risk of rheumatoid arthritis,” Annals of Rheumatic Disease 53(1):51-53, 1994.

Shealy, Norman, M.D., Ph.D. (editor). The Complete Family Guide to Alternative Medicine. Rockport, Mass.: Element Books Inc., 1996.

Murray, C. “Rheumatoid Arthritis,” Journal of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATOMS newsletter) Winter 1994, pp. 27-29.

Page last updated: May 02, 2009