How Not to Age: The Scientific Approach to Getting Healthier as You Get Older

by Michael Greger

Inflammation and oxidative stress may also play a role in osteoporosis. The intake of pro-inflammatory foods3197 and an elevation of inflammatory markers in the blood, such as C-reactive protein, are both associated with osteoporotic fractures,3198 and postmenopausal women with osteoporosis tend to harbor greater signs of oxidative damage and fewer antioxidants in their blood.3199 These are two more reasons why a higher intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with lower fracture risk.3200 Vitamin C is a third. The consumption of vitamin C–rich foods is associated with lower risk of bone loss, osteoporosis, and hip fracture3201—a 5 percent lower hip fracture risk for every 50 mg of vitamin C a day, which is about the amount in one orange.