The interaction between vitamin C and bone health: a narrative review

ABSTRACT

Introduction: High intakes of fruits and vegetables have been associated with improvements in skeletal health, suggesting a potential role of vitamin C. Osteoporosis affects millions of people worldwide, causing decrease in bone strength and higher fracture rate. Vitamin C has antioxidant effects in humans, and oxidative stress could represent an important pathogenetic factor of age-related bone loss and fragility. Although some evidences of a potential role of vitamin C in osteoporosis and fracture prevention have been published, an overall consensus has not been reached.

Areas covered: The role of vitamin C on bone metabolism, covering general biochemical, molecular, and cell biology concepts, with particular attention to bone/collagen pathophysiology is discussed. Experimental studies in animal models and human clinical studies are described. A specific chapter on vitamin C and mitochondria, including issues on oxidative states, is included.

Expert commentary: Uncertainties, limitations, and open questions on the role of vitamin C in human skeletal health still remain. Therefore, indications or recommendations on vitamin C supplementation to improve bone health, or prevent osteoporosis, are not currently appropriate.

KEYWORDS:

• Vitamin C
• osteoporosis
• redox status

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties. Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.