In a study involving 366 older men and 592 older women (mean age: 75 years), subjects with the greatest vitamin C intake (highest tertile) were found to have significantly fewer hip fractures and non-vertebral fractures as compared to subjects with the lowest vitamin C intake (lowest tertile).
Those taking supplemental vitamin C had significantly fewer hip fractures and non-vertebral fractures, as compared to subjects not taking vitamin C supplements. The authors conclude, “These results suggest a possible protective effect of vitamin C on bone health in older adults.”
Reference: “Protective effect of total and supplemental vitamin C intake on the risk of hip fracture-a 17-year follow-up from the Framingham Osteoporosis Study,” Sahni S, Hannan MT, et al, Osteoporos Int, 2009 April 4; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Dietary Assessment and Epidemiology Research Program, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) and Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy (FSNSP), Tufts University, Boston, MA