Link between Antioxidant-Rich Diet and Knee Osteoarthritis: A Study

Jim Crocker
17th July, 2024

Link between Antioxidant-Rich Diet and Knee Osteoarthritis: A Study

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • A study by Zabol University of Medical Sciences found that a diet rich in antioxidants may reduce the risk of knee osteoarthritis (KOA)
  • Individuals with the highest dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) scores had 71% lower odds of having KOA compared to those with the lowest scores
  • Increasing the intake of antioxidant-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains could be a viable strategy for reducing KOA risk
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent chronic condition that significantly impacts the elderly population, causing pain, disability, and substantial healthcare costs. Despite its considerable burden, effective treatment options for managing KOA's underlying causes remain limited. A recent case-control study conducted by Zabol University of Medical Sciences aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) and knee osteoarthritis[1]. The study included 105 patients with confirmed KOA and 210 controls. KOA diagnosis was based on the American College of Rheumatology criteria. DTAC was calculated using the ferric-reducing antioxidant power method. The participants had a mean age of 53.6 years and an average BMI of 27.3 kg/m². The DTAC scores ranged from 3.56 to 25.32, with a mean value of 12.46. The study found that individuals in the highest quartile of DTAC scores had 71% lower odds of having knee osteoarthritis compared to those in the first quartile, even after adjusting for potential confounders such as age, sex, energy intake, family history of osteoarthritis, vitamin D and calcium use, physical activity level, cigarette smoking, and BMI. This study sheds light on the potential role of diet in managing KOA. The findings align with previous studies that have explored various risk factors and underlying mechanisms of osteoarthritis. For instance, a global meta-analysis estimated the prevalence and incidence of knee OA, highlighting the condition's significant health burden[2]. The study found that the global prevalence of knee OA in individuals aged 40 and over was 22.9%, translating to approximately 654.1 million individuals worldwide in 2020. The incidence was estimated at 203 per 10,000 person-years, with the condition being more common in females than males. These findings emphasize the need for effective preventive strategies to manage the global burden of knee OA. The relationship between aging and osteoarthritis has been well-documented. Aging is a primary risk factor for osteoarthritis, and recent studies have expanded the focus beyond cartilage to include other joint tissues such as ligaments, meniscus, and bone[3]. Synovitis, the inflammation of the synovial membrane, also appears to play a role in osteoarthritis but has not been extensively studied in the context of aging. Research in small animals has shown that age-related changes in joint tissues contribute to osteoarthritis, suggesting that cellular processes like damage-induced cell senescence and epigenetic regulation of gene expression are involved. Obesity is another significant risk factor for osteoarthritis. It increases mechanical stress on the tibiofemoral cartilage and is associated with higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, which are produced by adipose tissues[4]. These cytokines regulate inflammatory immune responses in cartilage and contribute to cartilage matrix degradation and bone resorption in osteoarthritis. The elevated levels of these cytokines in the synovial fluid, synovial membrane, subchondral bone, and cartilage of OA patients confirm their crucial roles in OA pathogenesis. The current study by Zabol University of Medical Sciences adds to this body of knowledge by suggesting that a diet rich in antioxidants may help reduce the risk of knee osteoarthritis. Antioxidants are compounds that can neutralize free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can cause cellular damage. A higher DTAC score indicates a diet rich in foods with high antioxidant capacity, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains. The study's findings suggest that increasing the intake of these foods could be a viable strategy for reducing the risk of KOA, especially among males who showed a stronger inverse relationship between DTAC and KOA. In summary, the study provides valuable insights into the potential role of diet in managing knee osteoarthritis. By highlighting the inverse relationship between dietary total antioxidant capacity and KOA, it opens up new avenues for preventive strategies that could help mitigate the global health burden of this chronic condition.

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References

Main Study

1) Association between Dietary total antioxidant capacity and knee osteoarthritis: a case-control study in the Iranian Population.

Published 16th July, 2024

Journal: BMC musculoskeletal disorders

Issue: Vol 25, Issue 1, Jul 2024

Related Studies

2) Global, regional prevalence, incidence and risk factors of knee osteoarthritis in population-based studies.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100587

3) Aging processes and the development of osteoarthritis.

https://doi.org/10.1097/BOR.0b013e32835a9428

4) Pro-inflammatory cytokines: The link between obesity and osteoarthritis.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cytogfr.2018.10.002


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