Why Vitamin C for Gout Doesn’t Work

Lots of people think vitamin c for gout will help them reduce flares. But what is gout? And how can you reduce your risk for this disease? Read on to find out!

What is Gout?

Gout is a painful type of arthritis that comes in flares. These flares develop when uric acid crystals build in soft tissue surrounding your joints. As podiatrists in Spring and Tomball, TX, we are often the first people to diagnose your gout because your big toe joint is the one gout usually attacks first. In turn, you’ll notice inflammation, extreme pain, swelling and redness.

Flares come on suddenly, usually triggered by your diet. Certain foods, including alcohol, shellfish, red meat, and sugary sodas can contribute to uric acid concentrations in your body. In turn, a painful gout flare could pop up, seemingly overnight.

Many people think that gout is a problem for men, or for people who are carrying extra weight. And, it’s true that being male and living with obesity increase your risk for this disease. (Other risk factors include taking medications such as diuretics; following a purine-rich diet or engaging in frequent alcohol use; as well as having certain underlying conditions.

However, recently, former Modern Family star Sarah Hyland made headlines for admitting that she suffered from gout while on the set of the show…and was still forced to film in high heels, despite the fact that it caused her tremendous pain. Clearly, this is a condition that affects people of all ages, genders and weights. As such, the need for effective treatments is ever more pressing.

Treatment: Does Vitamin C for Gout Work? 

There are several ways we can prevent gout flares. Some people may take medications to prevent flares. Others can prevent this form of painful foot arthritis by following a careful diet and maintaining a healthy weight. But some people think that taking vitamin c can control uric acid levels in your body. BUt recent research suggests that’s not really true.

Research on Vitamin C for Gout

Prof. Lisa Stamp of the New Zealand University of Otago studies gout patients and vitamin C intake. Here’s what she learned: sadly, taking vitamin c for gout over an eight-week period couldn’t lower the uric acid levels in patients’ bodies to a ‘clinically satisfactory degree’.

She explains, “Though Vitamin C may reduce risk of developing gout, our data does not support using Vitamin C as a therapy to lower uric acid levels in patients with established gout.” In other words, before you develop gout, taking vitamin c could lower your disease risk. But once you’ve had a flare? Supplementing this vitamin can’t treat or cure the disease.

Gout is a painful condition that necessitates proper care. If you think you have gout, contact our team of highly trained podiatrists in Tomball and Spring, TX. We can diagnose your condition and provide you with treatment options that work for you.

Systemic Diseases of the Foot

Systemic diseases affect the whole body, and symptoms usually are displayed in the feet. This condition can make a patient’s ability to walk unbearable.

Gout – is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. Some common symptoms include pain, inflammation, and redness at the metatarsal/phalangeal joint of the base big toe. Gout can be treated by NSAIDs, which relieves pain and inflammation and other drugs which lowers the acid levels in the body.

Diabetes mellitus- is an increase in the level of blood sugar in which the body cannot counteract with the insulin in the body. When the body doesn’t produce enough insulin this is a factor in Diabetes.

Diabetes of the Feet

Diabetic Neuropathy – may lead to damaged nerves and affect the feet through numbness and loss of sensation.

Peripheral Vascular Disease- can restrict the blood flow to the feet, and often times lead to amputation of the feet.

If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices in Spring and Tomball, TX. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

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