Antioxidant Influence on Bone Health

Bone integrity relies on a dynamic equilibrium between bone formation by osteoblasts and bone resorption by osteoclasts. When this balance is disturbed, skeletal fragility and osteoporosis may ensue. Oxidative stress—an excess of reactive oxygen species relative to antioxidant defences—has emerged as a key driver of osteocyte apoptosis, heightened osteoclast activity and impaired osteoblast differentiation. This pro‐oxidant milieu increases expression of inflammatory mediators and receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL), tipping the balance towards bone loss. Natural antioxidants—encompassing dietary carotenoids (such as β-carotene, lycopene and lutein), polyphenols (including resveratrol and genistein), vitamins C and E, and thiol compounds—scavenge free radicals and modulate signalling pathways that govern skeletal remodelling. Through activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) and sirtuin 1, antioxidants attenuate NF-κB–driven osteoclastogenesis and restore Wnt/β-catenin–mediated osteoblastogenesis. Epidemiological studies link higher intake or serum levels of specific antioxidants with greater bone mineral density and lower fracture risk, particularly in postmenopausal women. Preclinical models demonstrate that targeted antioxidant therapies preserve bone microarchitecture, inhibit cellular senescence and support anabolic processes. Collectively, these findings suggest that integrating natural antioxidants into preventive and therapeutic strategies holds promise for reducing the burden of osteoporosis worldwide.

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Antioxidant Influence on Bone Health publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in antioxidant influence on bone health across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Oxidative stress: Imbalance between pro-oxidant species and antioxidant defences leading to cellular damage.

RANKL: A cytokine that promotes osteoclast differentiation and activation, driving bone resorption.

Wnt/β-catenin pathway: Signalling cascade critical for osteoblast proliferation and differentiation.

Nrf-2: Transcription factor that induces expression of antioxidant enzymes and cytoprotective genes.

SASP: Senescence-associated secretory phenotype characterised by release of pro-inflammatory mediators from ageing cells.

References

1. Oxidative Stress and Natural Antioxidants in Osteoporosis: Novel Preventive and Therapeutic Approaches. Antioxidants (2023).
2. Association between Phytochemical Index and Osteoporosis in Women: A Prospective Cohort Study in Korea. Nutrients (2023).
3. Lycopene Improves Bone Quality in SAMP6 Mice by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress, Cellular Senescence, and the SASP. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research (2023).
4. The Nutraceutical Genistein-Lycopene Combination Improves Bone Damage Induced by Glucocorticoids by Stimulating the Osteoblast Formation Process. Nutrients (2022).