Vitamin CNEW2026

Insights into vitamin C in musculoskeletal physiology and disorders: mechanisms and translational perspectives.

Liu Xu, Chen Bo, Feng Qingnan, Wang Shitong et al. — Frontiers in immunology

Summary

ビタミンCは体の多くの機能に不可欠ですが、このレビューは特に骨、筋肉、結合組織に対するその重要性を探っています。ビタミンCが骨格筋系の健康、発達、修復にどのように貢献するかをまとめ、骨粗しょう症や関節炎などの疾患における潜在的な役割についても議論しています。有望な結果ですが、これらの効果を確定するにはさらなるヒトでの研究が必要です。

AI-generated summary — read the original

Key points

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for the health of our bones, muscles, and connective tissues.
It plays a role in the development, repair, and overall function of the musculoskeletal system.
Research suggests vitamin C may be important in preventing or managing conditions like osteoporosis and arthritis.
While laboratory and animal studies show strong evidence, more human clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.

What the study looked at

What question the study asked: This review paper aimed to understand and summarize the current scientific knowledge about how vitamin C influences the health and diseases of our musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, muscles, and tendons. It specifically looked at the underlying biological mechanisms and potential applications for human health. How it was studied (design/participants): This was a comprehensive review, meaning the authors gathered and analyzed findings from numerous existing scientific studies. They integrated evidence from various research levels, including studies conducted in cells (in vitro), in animals, and some human observations, to provide a broad perspective on vitamin C's role. What it found: The review highlighted that vitamin C is crucial for processes like muscle development and regeneration, bone formation and remodeling, and the repair of tendons and bones. It also suggested that vitamin C might be involved in major musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia). However, the authors emphasized that while the mechanistic and preclinical evidence is strong, direct clinical proof and real-world application in humans are still limited and require more rigorous research.

Dietary takeaway

This review reinforces the idea that ensuring adequate vitamin C intake is important not just for immunity, but also for maintaining strong bones, healthy muscles, and resilient connective tissues throughout life. Including a variety of vitamin C-rich foods like citrus fruits, berries, bell peppers, and leafy greens in your daily diet can contribute to overall musculoskeletal well-being. Remember, while this review compiles existing research, a single study or review doesn't provide definitive proof, and more human clinical trials are needed to fully understand the benefits of vitamin C for musculoskeletal health.

Abstract

Vitamin C (VC) is an essential micronutrient involved in diverse biological processes, including redox homeostasis, energy metabolism, collagen synthesis, epigenetic regulation, and immune modulation. Increasing evidence indicates that VC plays important roles in the musculoskeletal system, which is essential for structural support, locomotion, and systemic metabolic homeostasis. This review provides an integrated overview of current evidence regarding the roles of VC in musculoskeletal physiology and disorders, with a focus on muscle development and regeneration, bone formation and remodeling, and tendon-bone repair. We further discuss the potential involvement of VC in major musculoskeletal disorders (including osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and sarcopenia) and summarize the interactions between VC supplementation and exercise in musculoskeletal health. By integrating findings from cellular, animal, and human studies, this review highlights that current evidence remains strongest at the mechanistic and preclinical levels, whereas direct clinical evidence and translational validation remain limited. These insights may help guide future experimental studies, more rigorous clinical trials, and the development of VC-based strategies for musculoskeletal health.

View on PubMed →DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2026.1899148