Vitamin C May Slash Gout Risk In Men
Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis in adult males, but a common nutrient found in nature may reduce a man's risk of getting this disease by up to 45%.
According to findings published in the new issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, for every 500 milligrams increase in vitamin C intake, a man's risk of gout was cut by 17%. The benefits were also significant for men taking vitamin C supplements, with a daily dose of between 1,000 and 1,499 mg associated with 34%reduction in risk, and a daily dose of at least 1,500 mg associated with a 45% reduction in risk.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine evaluated the vitamin C intake from both diet and supplements for 46,994 men using a dietary questionnaire at four year intervals between 1986 and 2006. They concluded, "Given the general safety profile associated with vitamin C intake, particularly in the generally consumed ranges as in the present study, vitamin C intake may provide a useful option in the prevention of gout."
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According to the US National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, gout occurs in 8.4 of every 1,000 people and is most prevalent in men over the age of 40.
Gout is a disease caused by a disturbance in uric acid metabolism. During a gout attack, the body uses uric acid to form painful urate crystals. Based on the research from this study, it is believed that vitamin C may reduce levels of uric acid in the blood, which would prevent the formation of the urate crystal.
Vitamin C is naturally found in fruits and vegetables, particularly oranges and other citrus fruits. But to be sure you are getting the amounts associated with benefits such as those seen in this study, optimal levels of vitamin C should be a part of your daily basic supplement program. Our Basic Nutrient Support contains 2,040 mg of vitamin C, as well as citrus bioflavonoids to improve vitamin C activity.
