Vitamin C

Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid or L-ascorbate is an essential nutrient for humans and certain other animal species. In living organisms ascorbate acts as an antioxidant by protecting the body against oxidative stress.It is also a cofactor in at least eight enzymatic reactions including several collagen synthesis reactions that cause the most severe symptoms of scurvy when they are dysfunctional.In animals these reactions are especially important in wound-healing and in preventing bleeding from capillaries.
Ascorbate (an ion of ascorbic acid) is required for a range of essential metabolic reactions in all animals and plants. It is made internally by almost all organisms although notable mammalian group exceptions are most or all of the order chiroptera (bats), guinea pigs, capybaras, and one of the two major primate suborders, the Anthropoidea (Haplorrhini) (tarsiers, monkeys and apes, including human beings). Ascorbic acid is also not synthesized by some species of birds and fish. All species that do not synthesize ascorbate require it in the diet. Deficiency in this vitamin causes the disease scurvy in humans.It is also widely used as a food additive.
Scurvy has been known since ancient times. People in many parts of the world assumed it was caused by a lack of fresh plant foods. The British Navy started giving sailors lime juice to prevent scurvy in 1795.Ascorbic acid was finally isolated in 1932 and commercially "synthesized" (this included a fermentation step in bacteria) in 1934. The uses and recommended daily intake of vitamin C are matters of ongoing debate, with RDI ranging from 45 to 95 mg/day.

In a study that followed more than 47,000 men from 1986 until 2006, found that vitamin C reduce the risk of gout disease. Men with a daily intake of vitamin C of 500-999 mg and 1000-1499 mg of each lower risk of 17% and 34% uric acid disease than men who consumed vitamin C is less than 250 mg per day.

Arthritic disease gout is caused by deposition of uric acid or mono sodium urate crystals in the joints. The disease can be very painful and debilitating. Known risk factors are male gender, obesity, high alcohol consumption, and unhealthy diet. In the study, the effect of gout prevention of vitamin C remained strong even after adjusting for these risk factors.

“Given the public health benefits associated with intake of vitamin C, especially in a range of general consumption, such as in this study, intake of vitamin C can provide useful alternatives in the prevention of uric acid diseases,” said lead researcher Dr. Hyon Choi Arthritis Research Center of Canada.
Vitamin C as Uricosuric

The study could not determine exactly how vitamin C reduce the risk of gout disease, but researchers speculate that the vitamin contributes to reduce uric acid levels in the blood and anti-inflammatory. Conventional medical treatment focuses on anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs that can lower uric acid levels (eg allopurinol) to accelerate its spending from the body through the kidneys (known as a uricosuric effect.) But medicine was not the only substance that has a uricosuric effect. Previous studies have found that vitamin C can also do that.

However, experts warn that a healthy lifestyle remains the most important in preventing disease gout. “Not wise when you think can be offset by excessive eating and drinking lots of vitamin C,” said Michael Snaith from British Gout Society.
Warning

You who have conditions such as hemosiderosis, haemochromatosis, and that beriwayat kidney stones / kidney failure should consult a doctor before taking supplements of vitamin C. Vitamin C increases iron absorption and production of oxalic acid, which may be dangerous for people with the condition.