According to researchers men who consume higher quantities of vitamin C have a lower risk of developing gout. Dr. Hyon Choi and colleagues at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver in a paper published in the Archives of Internal Medicine said, "Vitamin C intake may provide a useful option in the prevention of gout."

Gout is a form of arthritis from uric acid build-up that causes inflamed joints and usually affects men age 40 and older though it has been known to affect women too. The increasingly common disease is said to afflict 3 million people in the United States. Gout can lead to permanent joint damage and is linked to alcohol abuse, obesity, high blood pressure and a diet heavy in meat and cheese.

The study examined nearly 47,000 men in the U. S. over a 20 year span from 1986 to 2006. During this period 1,300 men developed gout and the researchers noted that every 500 to 999 milligram increase of daily vitamin C intake produced a 17 % decrease in the risk for gout.

For those who took in 1,000 to 1,499 milligrams, the risk was 34 % lower while in the case of those who had a daily intake of 1,500 milligrams or more the risk was 45 % lower. The researchers calculated that the risk for gout fell 17 % for every 500 mg increase in vitamin C intake. The risks were similar when compared to men who did not take any supplements.

The researchers said uric acid can form crystal deposits that cause the pain, inflammation and swelling associated with gout. It appears that vitamin C can reduce these levels and may affect re-absorption 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.

Dr. Hyon K. Choi, who was with the University of British Columbia when the study was conducted and is now with the Boston University School of Medicine said, "Given the general safety profile associated with vitamin C intake, particularly in the generally consumed ranges as in the present study (e. g. tolerable upper intake level of vitamin C of less than 2,000 milligrams in adults, according to the Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine), vitamin C intake may provide a useful option in the prevention of gout."