An Apple A Day May Keep Knee Arthritis Away
We have all heard the old saying, An apple a day will keep the doctor away .
Australian researches have found that an apple a day may just keep the arthritis doctor away. This
is another example that our mothers were right when they told us to eat our fruits and vegetables
and we will grow up healthy. The research showed that people with levels of vitamin C were less
likely to have bone changes associated with knee arthritis. The study also showed that certain
carotenoids found in green vegetables, such as the lutein and zeaxanthin also helped prevent
cartilage abnormalities in the knee. Carotenoids are natural fat-soluble pigments found in certain
plants.
So before we get to the details of the study go grab and apple, orange or some broccoli and start
munching your way through the details of the study.
This was a ten year study that included 193 middle aged men and women. All
of the participants were free of knee pain when they started the study. They were all given
detailed questionnaires about their diets. At the end of ten years they had their knees examined
with MRI scans. The results show that on average those who consumed more vitamin C at the beginning
of the study had the least amount of bone changes in their knees. The researchers also looked at
the overall fruit consumption, which showed the same results. They also found that those who
consumed more green vegetables especially those high in carotenoids had less overall cartilage
defects in their knees.
The reason for this is probably simple. Vitamin C and other nutrients aid in our bodies ability to
process calcium. The better our bodies process calcium the stronger and healthier our bones and
cartilage will be. The study looked specifically at the bones in the knee. It is to be expected
that people with diets high in vitamin C, carotenoids and other healthy nutrients will not only
have less bone changes in their knees but healthier bones through out their bodies.
So next time you hear that guy on TV tell you to get your five servings of fruits and vegetables
listen to your knees and grab some fruit. And if you can not listen to him, listen to the words
that are permanently branded in your brain from you mother, don t forget to eat your vegetables.
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Rusty Ford Editor
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