Gout

Overview

Four supplements have been studied for gout across eight trials. Vitamin C has the strongest profile (medium effect size, high evidence, high trust, WA 68; 5 studies). Observational data suggest higher daily vitamin C intake may be linked to lower gout risk and slightly lower uric acid in men, but for people who already have gout, short-term supplementation does not appear to reduce uric acid levels.

IP-6 (WA 32), L-Tryptophan (WA 44), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) (WA 36) each have low ratings and only one study each. Early work suggests IP-6 may lower uric acid in asymptomatic hyperuricemia, and a tryptophan-glycine powder may reduce uric acid modestly—though which ingredient drives any effect is unclear. Higher dietary folate may be associated with lower gout risk in low-quality research.

Evidence remains uncertain for treatment of established gout. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below for details.

Relevant supplements

Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.

Unlock now


Vitamin C	★★★★★	Medium
L-Tryptophan	★★★★★	Low
Vitamin B9 (Folate)	★★★★★	Very Low / None
IP-6	★★★★★	Very Low / None

Weakest

Strongest

12345

Unlock now

Studies

Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.

4 supplements for , and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.

Vitamin CView supplement →

Consider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeMediumEvidenceHighTrustHigh

Evidence Review

It is not certain whether vitamin C helps prevent or treat gout.
Studies show that men who take 500 to 1500 mg of vitamin C daily from food or supplements may have up to a 34% lower risk of developing gout compared to men who take less than 250 mg.
Men who take more vitamin C also tend to have slightly lower uric acid levels in their blood.
But for people who already have gout, taking 500 mg of vitamin C daily for 8 weeks does not seem to lower uric acid levels.

Browse 5 studies

RCTEffects of vitamin C supplementation on gout risk: results from the Physicians’ Health Study II trial2022

A study including 14,641 male physicians (avg age 64) found that vitamin C (500 mg/day) significantly reduced the rate of new gout diagnoses by 12% (HR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.77, 0.99; P = 0.04). Greater effects were seen in those with a BMI below 25 kg/m². Vitamin E (400 IU every other day) had no effect on the rate of new gout diagnoses (HR: 1.05; 95% CI: 0.92, 1.19; P = 0.48).

Effect: Benefit
Dose: 500 mg/day
Population: Adults
Avg age: 64±9

View on PubMed

Ascorbic Acid Supplements and Kidney Stone Incidence Among Men: A Prospective Study2013

A long-term study from Sweden found (during 11 yrs of follow-up) that the risk of developing kidney stones was 123% higher in men taking 1,000 mg of vitamin C 7 or more times per week. Vitamin C acquired through food did not pose any risk. Participants taking a dose of less than than 7 x 1000 mg vitamin C per week still had an increased risk factor of over 60%. Therefore, whilst supplementation may seem to be an easy way to increase vitamin C intake, high doses may increase the risk of kidney stones.

Effect: No Benefit

No source link

RCTClinically insignificant effect of supplemental vitamin C on serum urate in patients with gout: a pilot randomized controlled trial2013n=20

An RCT in 40 gout patients found 500 mg/day vitamin C for 8 weeks did not meaningfully lower serum urate versus allopurinol adjustment.

Effect: No Benefit
Duration: 8 weeks
Dose: 500 mg/day
Population: Patients With Gout
Participants: 20

View on PubMed

RCTVitamin C intake and the risk of gout in men: a prospective study2009

A large prospective cohort study of U.S. men showing that higher vitamin C intake was associated with a lower risk of developing gout. Risk reduction appeared dose-dependent, with ≥1500 mg/day linked to substantially lower incidence. A study of 46,994 male participants with no history of gout found that compared to vitamin C intake of less than 250 mg/day: - 500 to 999 mg/day led to a 17% reduction in gout risk - 1000 to 1499 mg/day led to a 34% reduction in gout risk - 1500 mg/day or higher led to a 45% reduction in gout risk This was a long-term study with a follow-up period of 20 years.

Effect: Benefit
Dose: 1500 mg/day
Population: Men

View on PubMed

ObservationalVitamin C intake and serum uric acid concentration in men2008n=1,387

In 1,387 men, higher total vitamin C intake was inversely associated with serum uric acid and hyperuricemia risk.

Effect: Benefit
Dose: 500 mg/day
Population: Men
Participants: 1,387
Ages: 4–8

View on PubMed

L-TryptophanView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

Early clinical studies show that taking a powder containing small amounts of L-tryptophan (0.2 g) and glycine (3 g) each night for 6 weeks can lower blood uric acid levels by a small amount.
This includes people with uric acid levels high enough to risk gout.
It's not clear if tryptophan, glycine, or both together cause this benefit.

Browse 1 study

RCTSerum Uric Acid-Lowering Effects of Combined Glycine and Tryptophan Treatments in Subjects with Mild Hyperuricemia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study2019n=30

In 30 adults with mild hyperuricemia, 6 weeks of 3 g glycine plus 0.2 g tryptophan daily lowered serum uric acid from 7.1 to 6.7 mg/dL versus placebo.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 6 weeks
Dose: 3.0 g/day
Population: Healthy adults
Participants: 30
Ages: 20–64

View on PubMed

Vitamin B9 (Folate)View supplement →

Do not purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeVery Low / NoneEvidenceMediumTrustMedium

Evidence Review

People who eat more folate in their diet may have a lower chance of developing gout, according to low-quality research.

Browse 1 study

Systematic reviewRisk factors for gout and prevention: a systematic review of the literature2011

A systematic review of 53 studies found that hypertension, renal insufficiency, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperuricemia, diabetes, obesity, and early menopause were each associated with a higher risk of incident gout and/or gout flares.

Effect: No Benefit

View on PubMed

IP-6View supplement →

Do not purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeVery Low / NoneEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

Early research suggests that taking IP-6 supplements twice daily for two weeks may help lower uric acid levels in people with high uric acid but not symptoms.

Browse 1 study

RCTEffect of Inositol Hexaphosphate (IP6) on Serum Uric Acid in Hyperuricemic Subjects: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study2019n=31

In 31 hyperuricemic adults, 600 mg inositol hexaphosphate twice daily for 2 weeks did not reduce fasting serum uric acid versus placebo in this crossover RCT.

Effect: No Benefit
Duration: 2 weeks
Dose: 600 mg 2×/day
Population: Healthy adults
Participants: 31

View on PubMed

Unlock now

Evidence visualised

Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.

Purchase-guidance distribution

How many supplements fall in each purchase band

Effect-size distribution

How large the reported benefits tend to be

Study distribution across 4 supplements for gout (8 studies total).
Supplement	DEX	Studies	Share
Vitamin C	★★★★★68%	5	63%
IP-6	★★★★★32%	1	13%
L-Tryptophan	★★★★★44%	1	13%
Vitamin B9 (Folate)	★★★★★36%	1	13%

Unlock now

Overview

Relevant supplements

Studies

Evidence visualised

On this page