No evidence suggests that calcium citrate — or any other form of calcium, for that matter— improves gout. Gout develops as a result of urate crystals. As uric acid levels increase in the blood, small deposits can accumulate around your joints, particularly at the base of your big toe. These deposits irritate and inflame the surrounding tissue, leading to intense pain. Calcium citrate neither decreases uric acid levels nor breaks up urate crystals. Another form of treatment is necessary to provide relief.
Treatment
Treatment for gout doesn’t often rely on dietary supplements like calcium citrate. Instead, most medical professionals recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Both medications help reduce inflammation, thereby relieving pain. Doses, however, are usually higher than normal, so talk to your doctor to determine exactly how much medication to take. If over-the-counter pain relievers fail to improve symptoms, colchicine, xanthine oxidase inhibitors and corticosteroids are the next line of defense. Colchicine is another pain reliever, while xanthine oxidase inhibitors block uric acid production. Like NSAIDs, corticosteroids help reduce inflammation.
Diet
Although calcium citrate isn't known to bring about relief from gout, this doesn’t necessarily mean dietary changes can’t help. Along with medications, your doctor will likely recommend restricting foods that contain purines. When broken down, purines create uric acid, further contributing to the condition. Purines are predominantly found in meats as well as fatty foods, some seafood and high-fructose beverages.
Dairy
The confusion that calcium provides relief from gout may partly lie in the potential benefit of dairy products. It appears that low-fat dairy can lower uric acid levels in the blood, according to the American College of Rheumatology. The reason for this is unclear, but it has not been linked to the calcium in dairy. Including low-fat dairy in your diet may help prevent this condition.
Pseudogout
Pseudogout is a form of arthritis that often mimics gout. Pseudogout develops when calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals form in the lining of your joints. As with gout, the deposits irritate and inflame surrounding tissue, causing intense pain. This condition, however, almost always affects the knee but may also develop in the wrists, elbows and ankles. There’s no indication that calcium contributes to pseudogout, but talk to a doctor before taking calcium supplements for any reason.
Intake
While calcium citrate isn’t able to improve gout, it’s still an essential part of your diet. The daily recommended allowance for this nutrient is 1,000 milligrams for people between the ages of 19 and 50. After this age, your intake should increase to 1,200 milligrams. Taking too much can lead to undesirable side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and even irregular heartbeat, warns the University of Maryland Medical Center. Do not exceed 2,500 milligrams a day.
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