Gout

     One of our customers named Terri recently shared that a member of the family suffered with gout. When she takes, Carotenoid Complex she has no pain. If she fails to take the product the pain comes back. This is interesting to me because you will search the nutritional literature and fail to find anything which would suggest that carotenoids would benefit gout. It reminds me of another customer who suffered with gout. He began supplementing with Betagest and Enzymes and his gout went away. The best support in the nutrition literature suggests that vitamin C may reduce the risk of gout. Years ago Jonathan Wright, M.D., observed that vitamin C was as effective as the medication to treat gout. Gout can be caused by lead poisoning or by elevated uric acid. Excess sugar or purine intake can elevate uric acid levels. High levels of purines are found in beer and in some foods.

References:

"Vitamin C intake and the risk of gout in men: a prospective study," Choi HK, Gao X, Curhan G, Arch Intern Med, 2009; 169(5): 502-7.

"Vitamin C Intake and Serum Uric Acid Concentration in Men," Gao X, Curhan G, et al, J Rheumatol, 2008 May 1.

"The effects of vitamin C supplementation on serum concentrations of uric acid - Results of a randomized controlled trial," Huang HY, Appel LJ, et al, Arthritis and Rheumatism, 2005; 52(6): 1843-1847.  

Uric Acid and Vitamin C

     Elevated uric acid is associated with gout and elevated blood pressure. A recent study showed than as little as 500 mg of vitamin C a day for two months could significantly lower uric acid levels (.5 mg/dL).
     Uric acid is produced from the metabolism of glandular meats, beer, and foods high in fructose (esp. high fructose corn syrup). Two or more beers a day increases the risk of developing gout 2.5 times. Researchers have also found that as uric acid levels increase weight tends to go up as well. Lowering uric acid tends to prevent weight gain and may increase weight loss.
     The amount of vitamin C used in this study was pretty conservative. One wonders what would have happened if the vitamin C intake had been doubled. At any rate, vitamin C protects from one of the consequences of excessive sugar (fructose) intake.
Reference:
Huang, Han-Yao, et al., The effects of vitamin C supplementation on serum concentrations of uric acid, Arthritis and Rheumatism, June 2005; 52(6):1843-1847.