Osteoporosis affects millions of Americans, and the number is only rising as our population ages. This debilitating disease causes bones to become fragile and can lead to fractures with even the most minor of falls or bumps. While there is no cure for osteoporosis, treatments available can help manage the symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. One such treatment is vitamin C supplementation. 

Vitamin C is essential for the formation of collagen

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that plays a role in many important bodily functions. One of the most important roles of vitamin C is in the formation of collagen, a protein that gives bones strength.
Collagen is also found in connective tissues, such as tendons and ligaments, and vitamin C is essential for the proper development and maintenance of these tissues. Vitamin C also helps to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, and it plays a role in wound healing. 

How Vitamin C Can Help Manage Osteoporosis

There are many ways in which vitamin C can help manage osteoporosis. As we mentioned before, vitamin C is essential for collagen production. Collagen is a protein that gives bones their strength, so by increasing collagen production, vitamin C can help to strengthen bones and prevent fractures. 

Vitamin C is also necessary for fracture healing.

When you break a bone, your body needs vitamin C to heal properly. Supplemental vitamin C has been shown to improve fracture healing time by up to 25%.
This means that if you do suffer a fracture, taking vitamin C supplements can help you heal more quickly and get back on your feet sooner.

Vitamin C and bone density

Vitamin C has also been shown to increase bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. Bone mineral density measures how much calcium is present in your bones. Calcium is what gives bones their strength, so by increasing bone mineral density, vitamin C can help to make bones stronger and less likely to fracture.

Vitamin C the antioxidant

In addition to all of these direct effects on osteoporosis, vitamin C has other indirect effects that can also help manage the disease.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which means it helps to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that damage cells and play a role in the development of osteoporosis.
By protecting cells from free radical damage, vitamin C can help to slow the progression of osteoporosis and keep bones healthy for longer.

It’s important to note that while supplemental vitamin C can be beneficial for osteoporosis sufferers, it’s not a cure-all. A healthy lifestyle including plenty of exercises and a balanced diet rich in nutrients like calcium and vitamin D is essential for managing osteoporosis symptoms and slowing disease progression. However, adding vitamin C supplements to your regime can be an effective way to give your osteoporosis treatment an extra boost.

Vitamin C and the brain

Vitamin C is involved in the body’s production of neurotransmitters and hormones. Because of its many important functions, vitamin C is essential for good health.
Nutrition experts recommend that adults consume at least 400 mg of vitamin C daily.

Sources of Vitamin C

Good dietary sources of vitamin C include oranges, broccoli, tomatoes, and kale. Supplementation may be necessary to reach the recommended daily intake, especially for people who are unable to get enough vitamin C from their diet. People who smoke or have certain chronic illnesses may also need to take supplements to meet their needs.

Conclusion

If you suffer from osteoporosis, you know how debilitating this disease can be.
While there is no cure for osteoporosis there are many natural modalities that can have a huge impact on your disease outcome.
Supplementing with vitamin C is one such treatment that can be beneficial for sufferers. Vitamin C helps with collagen production, fracture healing, and bone mineral density, all of which are important factors in managing osteoporosis symptoms effectively. So if you’re looking for an extra edge in your fight against osteoporosis, consider adding some extra vitamin C to your diet!

Your doctor can also supply treatments that can help manage symptoms and slow disease progression.


https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11149477/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17356161/

https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ben/cdt/2018/00000019/00000005/art00007

https://cdn.mdedge.com/files/s3fs-public/issues/articles/ajo044070306.pdf