Vitamin C may help gout patients by lowering uric acid levels in their blood.In this post, we'll look at why lowering uric acid in the blood is beneficial for gout, as well as how vitamin C may help to lower uric acid and reduce the likelihood of gout flares.
What is Gout and why reducing uric acid is helpful?
Gout is a form of arthritis comes with joint pain, swelling, and redness. It happens when uric acid accumulates in the body, resulting in needle-shaped crystals in the joints. These crystals trigger inflammation and arthritis. Gout can affect your joints, bursae, tendon sheaths, and kidneys. It normally affects one joint at a time, although it can encompass several. Gout flares can last a week or two and typically begin in the big toe or lower limb. Gout sufferers may go through excruciating flare-ups, when their symptoms get worse, and remissions, when they hardly have any symptoms at all. Gout is mostly found in males, cases of obesity, and older age.
Gout is caused by hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia is a condition means excessive uric acid in the body. Therefore, it is definite that anything that can reduce the amount of uric acid in the body should have a positive impact on gout disease.
How does vitamin C reduce uric acid?
More studies and research are needed in this concern; however, a number of studies already specify that vitamin C may help reduce uric acid in the blood, which could protect against gout flares. Here are three prominent studies that highlight the role of vitamin C in gout care.
A 20 year study of around 47,000 men found that taking a vitamin C supplement reduced their risk of gout by 44%.
A 2008 study of over 1,400 men found that those who drank more vitamin C had considerably lower blood levels of uric acid compared to those who consumed less.
A 2011 meta-analysis of 13 research indicated that taking a vitamin C supplement for 30 days significantly lowered blood uric acid levels, while a placebo had no therapeutic effect.
As per Mayo Clinic vitamin C supplements may reduce the levels of uric acid in the blood, however no particular studies have indicated that the severity or frequency of gout flares are influenced by vitamin C.
Diet for gout
Purines is a natural chemical found in the body and in foods. Foods like red meat, certain fatty fishes like shellfish, tuna and sardines, sweetbreads and granular meats have high risk of gout flares.
It is advisable to reduce these foods or avoid having high uric acid complaints. Start consuming vitamin C which includes fruits and vegetables, such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, kiwifruits, oranges, red and green peppers,strawberries, cauliflower and Vitamin C supplements.
The CDC suggests that both coffee and cherries are linked to reduced risk of gout flares. Limiting intake of liquors, sugary foods and beverages are better in gout cases.
Currently, there’s no cure for gout, however it can be managed with lifestyle changes and prescribed medication.
Research indicates that vitamin C may help persons with gout by lowering blood uric acid levels. However, there is no evidence that vitamin C influences the frequency or intensity of gout flare-ups. If you’ve been diagnosed with gout, consult with a doctor for advice and medication.
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