Antioxidants could modify risk of knee arthritis
A diet rich in antioxidants could help to protect against the bone changes characteristic of arthritis of the knee, according to a new study.
Research carried out by Melbourne's Monash University and published in the Arthritis Research & Therapy journal revealed that the level of vitamin C consumed by a group of 293 middle aged adults influenced changes in their knee structure.
The patients, none of whom suffered from any pain or injury in their knees, were monitored over the course of ten years against an estimated intake of antioxidant vitamins and food sources.
Knee health indicators such as volume and defects of cartilage, bone marrow lesions and bone area were measured during the research period and any changes, including the onset of osteoarthritis (OA), were noted.
"This study suggests a beneficial effect of fruit consumption and vitamin C intake as they are associated with a reduction in bone size and the number of bone marrow lesions, both of which are important in the pathogenesis of knee osteoarthritis," the report found.
Led by Dr Yuanyuan Wang, the research concluded that despite its limitations, among them the reliance on dietary data collected at the start of the ten-year period, the study suggests bone health benefits from increased fruit consumption.
"While our findings need to be confirmed by larger longitudinal studies, they highlight the potential of diet to modify the risk of OA," it concluded.
A spokesman for the Arthritis Research Campaign said although the study was of some interest there was a long way to go before any link could be established between diet and the onset of OA. 
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