Eating fruit may help stave off joint problems

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THE QUESTION Wear and tear on the joints is most often blamed for

osteoarthritis. Might the nutrients in foods have a protective effect?

THIS STUDY involved 293 generally healthy adults (average age, 58) who had

no knee pain. The nutrient content of each participant's diet was determined

at the start of the study. Ten years later, their knee cartilage and bone

were examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). People who reported

consuming the highest amounts of vitamin C, primarily from eating fruit,

were the least likely to have developed bone changes associated with

osteoarthritis. Little or no link was found between bone changes and vitamin

E or most carotenoids.

WHO MAY BE AFFECTED? Adults. Osteoarthritis affects an estimated 21 million

Americans. The risk increases as people age.

CAVEATS Data on supplement use, which might have affected the findings, were

not included in the analysis. Information on diet was based on the

participants' recall. The study did not indicate how many people received an

osteoarthritis diagnosis during the 10-year period.

FIND THIS STUDY July online issue of Arthritis Research & amp; Therapy.