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Vitamin C is Good for Your Bones, Too!

If you're like plenty of Toronto citizens, you consume Vitamin C. This prominent, accepted vitamin is promoted for its antioxidant function and part in the support of a healthy immune system (1). But did you know that nutrition research into Vitamin C has revealed its task in forming bone and protecting it? Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre wants to instruct you on the nutritional gains, and how Toronto chiropractic patients can take advantage of this to augment their care for spinal pain management. 
 Vitamin C
  • Vitamin C is essential for collagen formation and normal bone development. A possible protective role of Vitamin C for bone health in older men as higher vitamin C intake is associated with lower 4-year bone loss in elderly men. (2)
  • Administration of 1,000 mg of ascorbic acid Vitamin C together with 400 IU of alpha-tocopherol could be useful in preventing or aiding in the treatment of age-related osteoporosis and bone loss. (3)
  • In a study of 277 women who were regular Vitamin C supplement users for an average of 12.4 years with calcium and/or estrogen, researchers measured bone density. They found that Vitamin C supplement use appears to have a beneficial effect on levels of bone mineral density, especially among postmenopausal women using concurrent estrogen therapy and calcium supplements. (4)
  • Most experts recommend vitamin D, calcium, exercise and bisphosphonates to keep bones healthy, says Dr. Kenneth Gabbay of Baylor College of Medicine, who further states that "Vitamin C is never mentioned, whereas it's likely an equally important element for maintaining strong healthy bones." (5)
  • Vitamin C deficiency is an under-diagnosed contributor to degenerative disc disease (DDD) in the elderly. Researchers explain that once DDD has begun, accompanying tissue degeneration may further increase Vitamin C requirements for the collagen synthesis necessary for healthy bone in the affected patient. This creates a range of issues that potentially accelerates and contributes to further disc degeneration and low back pain. (6) Toronto is no different; Vitamin C deficiency is a contributor to DDD and supplementation may be a helpful addition to your diet.

Since the human body doesn't produce or retain Vitamin C, it must be taken daily. Just like observing calorie intake while eating out, noting your intake of Vitamin C is important. If you discover that your current diet is incomplete in sources of natural Vitamin C, you will decide on supplementation. The volume of Vitamin C necessary for Toronto chiropractic patients will vary based on several factors. Circumstances such as weight, age, and gender are important; so are lifestyle aspects including pregnancy, or smoking.

  • For the average adult male, 90 mg/day of Vitamin C is recommended. (7)
  • For the average adult female, 75 mg/day of Vitamin C is recommended. (7)

Consult your Toronto chiropractor to determine the appropriate daily dosage of Vitamin C for you to protect your bones and enhance your bone mineral density throughout your life.

References
  1. Bsoul SA et al: Vitamin C in health and disease. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2004 May 15;5(2):1-13.
  2. Sahni S et al: High vitamin C intake is associated with lower 4-year bone loss in elderly men. J Nutr 2008 Oct;138(10):1931-8.
  3. Ruiz-Ramos M et al: Supplementation of ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol is useful to preventing bone loss linked to oxidative stress in elderly. J Nutr Health Aging. 2010 Jun;14(6):467-72.
  4. Morton DJ et al: Vitamin C supplement use and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. J Bone Miner Res. 2001 Jan;16(1):135-40.
  5. Vitamin C protects, maintains health bone mass. http://www.bcm.edu/news/item.cfm?newsID=2218
  6. >Smith VH: Vitamin C deficiency is an under-diagnosed contributor to degenerative disc disease in the elderly. Med Hypotheses. 2010 Apr;74(4):695-7. Epub 2009 Nov 22.
  7. Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin C
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"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."