For Men More Vitamin C May Mean Less Chance of Gout

Consuming more vitamin C may help reduce a man’s risk of gout, according to researchers who studied almost 47,000 men over a 20-year. With 1,500 milligrams a day, men cut their risk by 45%, study finds

The researchers said it appears that vitamin C reduces levels of uric acid, which can form crystal deposits that cause the pain, inflammation and swelling associated with gout. Vitamin C may affect reabsorption of uric acid by the kidneys, increase the speed at which the kidneys work or protect against inflammation, all of which might reduce the likelihood of developing gout.

The study is published in the March 9 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.