Article
Vitamin C may help prevent gout
Vitamin C intake in men is inversely associated with serum uric acid (UA) concentrations. Therefore, vitamin C has a potential role in the prevention of hyperuricemia and gout.
Vitamin C intake in men is inversely associated with serum uric acid (UA) concentrations. Therefore, vitamin C has a potential role in the prevention of hyperuricemia and gout.
Gao and colleagues examined associations between vitamin C intake and serum UA in 1387 men without hypertension and with a body mass index (BMI) lower than 30 kg/m2 in a subgroup of the Health Professional Follow-up Study. A semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate dietary intake, and serum UA concentrations were determined.
A higher intake of total vitamin C was significantly associated with lower serum UA concentrations after adjustment for smoking; BMI; and intake of total energy, dairy protein, alcohol, and other potential confounders. Two plateaus were observed for the inverse associations: 90 to 499 mg/d and then 500 mg/d and higher. Adjusted mean UA concentrations across total vitamin C intake categories (less than 90, 90 to 249, 250 to 499, 500 to 999, and 1000 mg/d or higher) were 6.4, 6.1, 6.0, 5.7, and 5.7 mg/dL, respectively. The results for hyperuricemia were similar (serum UA, higher than 6 mg/dL).
The authors noted that corresponding studies of men with hypertension and obesity and studies of women would be valuable.
