Drinking Enriched Milk Reduces Gout Flares

AUCKLAND, New ZealandDaily consumption of skimmed milk enriched with glycomacropeptide (GMP) and G600 milk fat extract (G600) found naturally in dairy products may reduce the frequency and intensity of gout flares, according to a new study published in the British Medical Journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Researchers at the University of Auckland Bone and Joint Research Group, in conjunction with scientists from the Fonterra Research Centre and the University Department of Medicine, conducted a 3-month randomized double-blind controlled trial of milk products for prevention of gout flares on 120 patients with recurrent gout flares. The subjected were randomized to one of three armslactose powder control, skim milk powder (SMP) control and SMP enriched with GMP and G600 (SMP/GMP/G600). The primary end point was change in the frequency of gout flares using a daily flare diary measured monthly for 3 months.

They found the frequency of gout flares reduced in all three groups over the 3-month study period compared with baseline. Results showed those taking the enriched skimmed milk had significantly greater reduction in gout flares compared with two control groups, and experienced greater improvements regarding pain intensity.