What role does Vitamin C play in joint health?

There are numerous benefits of Vitamin C to our health, and these include improved immunity against diseases and infection, healthier skin and bones and better dental health. Another very important benefit that cannot be ignored is the role of Vitamin C in joint health. There are several ways in which the consumption of Vitamin C impacts our joints, and these are listed as follows:

• Collagen synthesis: Vitamin C is an important contributor to collagen production in the body. Collagen is a very important protein that is essential in the repair and maintenance of tissues as well as for good bone and dental health. Vitamin C deficiency, therefore, could severely affect the joints and surrounding muscles due to inhibited collagen production.
• Fights inflammation: One of the most common symptoms of poor joint health is inflammation that is often accompanied by pain and limited range of motion. According to one study published in 2019 (https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/10.1024/0300-9831/a000255), researchers found that in active patients of rheumatoid arthritis, higher levels of Vitamin C had the ability to reduce inflammation at the joints.
• Protects cartilage tissue: Most of the disorders that affect the joints, such as the many forms of arthritis, are caused when there is significant damage to the cartilage tissues that exist between two bones at a joint and function as a protective tissue to enable pain-free movement and efficient load-bearing. This study showed that adequate consumption of Vitamin C protects the cartilage tissue from deterioration and damage. (https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/18/1/38)
• Pain relief: :According to several research studies (https://translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12967-017-1179-7), Vitamin C also positively impacts the nervous system and has pain-relieving properties that are yet to be fully explored. This ability of Vitamin C to alleviate joint pain has been linked to the fact that it is a powerful antioxidant.
• Slows auto-immune response: Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common joint disorders in the world that affects millions of people. It is an autoimmune disorder wherein the affected person’s immune system attacks the cartilage at the joints, thereby causing disintegration and subsequent joint pain and discomfort. Some research has shown that Vitamin C could play a role in the inhibition of this autoimmune response, thereby reducing damage and slowing the progression of the disease (https://ard.bmj.com/content/63/7/843).

Conclusion

While it can be safely concluded that Vitamin C has an array of benefits to offer in terms of excellent joint health and lessened risk of joint disorders, there has also been some research to indicate that overconsumption of Vitamin C could lead to several other complications and health problems. It is therefore advisable to consult a doctor if you wish to take supplements of Vitamin C as a means to combat joint pain or discomfort.

Additional information and references will be provided on request. Please write to us on communications@pharmed.in