Vitamin-C-Rich Foods Reduce Arthritis Risk

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Vitamin-C-Rich Foods Reduce Arthritis

Risk

 

 

 

http://www.mercola.com/2004/jul/3/vitamin_c_arthritis.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

Researchers have found eating foods high in vitamin C can

protect people from polyarthritis, a form of rheumatoid arthritis that

affects at least two joints. According to the study, people who ate

small amounts of fruits, vegetables and vitamin C increased their risk

of polyarthritis.

In fact, patients who ate the lowest amounts of vitamin C

increased their chances of developing polyarthritis by threefold over

those who ate the highest number of healthy foods. However, there was

little evidence linking the consumption of low amounts of vitamin E and

beta-carotene with inflammatory polyarthritis.

The study was based on a survey of more than 23,000 men and

women in the UK from 1993-97. During that four-year period, 73 people,

ranging in age from 45 to 74, suffered from polyarthritis for at least

a month. Then, the diets of each arthritis sufferer were compared with

two people of the same gender who weren't affected.

The findings also conflict with another report that showed

high doses of vitamin C worsened disease in guinea pigs with

osteoarthritis, the common kind of arthritis associated with aging.

The conflicting findings could be associated with the causes

of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, researchers say. Rheumatoid

arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks itself

whereas osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that gets worse as

time passes.

Annals of Rheumatic Disease July 2004 63(7):843-7

News-Medical

Net June 10, 2004