Men who ingest more vitamin C, whether it be from foods or supplements, have a lower risk of developing gout -- one of the most painful types of arthritis. Gout is more prevalent among men 40 years of age or older, but women get it too. According to a report published in the March 9, 2009 Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers found that among study participants, every 500 mg increase in daily vitamin C was linked to a 17% lower risk of gout.
An orange has about 70 mg of vitamin C. Study participants who took 1,500 mg daily in supplemental form, were found to have a 45% lower risk of gout than people who took less than 250 mg per day of vitamin C. Researchers concluded that vitamin C may be important for gout prevention.
Related Resources:
- Gout Risk Factors
- Gout - 10 Things You Should Know
- Diet and Arthritis - The Link Is Complex
- The Effect of Vitamin C on Arthritis
- Beta-Cryptoxanthin May Cut Arthritis Risk
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I’ve read some articles related to this study. Is it correct to say that the study is rather inconclusive? Initially, I read that Vitamin C inhibits the production of uric acid and therefore helps gout in that manner.
However, recently I’m also seeing that Vitamin C supposedly helps the kidneys reabsorb uric acid from the blood, thereby allowing greater excretion of uric acid through the urine.
Do you know of any other studies that would provide further evidence to either supposed effect of Vitamin C on gout sufferers?
In any case, I’ve started taking up to 2000 MG of Vitamin C per day. Who knows? Maybe it’ll lower my uric acid level.