Vitamins that help in the treatment of gout --- In a study that followed more than 47,000 men, it is known that vitamin C reduces the risk of gout disease. Men with a daily intake of vitamin C of 500-999 mg and 1,000-1,499 mg each were 17% lower risk and 34% exposed to gout disease than men who consumed vitamin C less than 250 mg per day.
Uric acid disease is arthritis caused by deposition of uric acid or monosodium urate crystals in the joint. This disease can be very painful and debilitating. Known risk factors are male gender, obesity, high alcohol consumption, and unhealthy eating patterns. In the study, the prevention effect of uric acid from vitamin C remained strong even after adjusting for these risk factors.
"Given the general health benefits associated with vitamin C intake, particularly in the range of common consumption as in this study, vitamin C intake may provide a useful alternative in the prevention of gout," said lead researcher Dr. Hyon Choi from the Canadian Arthritis Research Center.
Vitamin C as Uricosuric
The study could not precisely determine how vitamin C reduces the risk of gout, but researchers speculate that the vitamin plays a role in reducing uric acid levels in blood and is anti-inflammatory. Conventional medical treatment focuses on anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs that can decrease uric acid levels (eg allopurinol) by speeding up its expenditure from the body through the kidneys (known as having uricosuric effects). However, medical drugs are not the only substances that have a uricosuric effect. Previous studies have found that vitamin C can also do that.
However, experts warn that a healthy lifestyle remains the most important in preventing gout disease. "It would be unwise if you think you can keep up with eating and drinking too much with lots of vitamin C," says Michael Snaith of the British Gout Society.
WARNING
You who have conditions such as hemosiderosis, haemochromatosis, and who have a history of kidney stones / kidney failure should consult a physician before taking vitamin C supplements. Vitamin C increases iron absorption and oxalic acid production, which may be harmful to people with the condition.
