Vitamin E and Osteoarthritis: Does Vitamin E Influence Muscle Function and Integrity?

Ray Marks

Department of Health and Behavior Studies, Teachers College, Columbia University, USA

Dr. Ray Marks, Department of Health and Behavior Studies, Teachers College, Columbia University, USA.

Keywords: Alpha Tocopherol; Muscle; Osteoarthritis; Pain; Prevention; Research; Sarcopenia; Treatment; Vitamin E

Abstract

Osteoarthritis, a painful irreversible disabling joint disease, and one that predominantly affects articular cartilage, is rapidly increasing in prevalence among older populations. This work aimed to: 1) examine whether vitamin E, a powerful anti oxidant involved in many physiological processes can influence the disease by potentially improving muscular status in the context of the osteoarthritic damaged joint; 2) offer clinical and research suggestions related to this topic. To this end, a comprehensive overview of relevant English language research reports published over the last 20 years was undertaken using key words Vitamin E, Muscle, and Osteoarthritis. Although limited in number, prevailing results show some support for a possible protective, reparative or mediating role for vitamin E as regards the key muscle parameters affecting or affected by osteoarthritis, such as muscle atrophy and muscle weakness. Since no cure exists for osteoarthritis, and muscle is a treatment target of increasing importance in this disease, further research in this regard is strongly recommended and would appear to hold great promise for alleviating the magnitude of the high costs and undue suffering imposed by the disease.

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