The Study
Effect of Inositol Hexaphosphate (IP6) on Serum Uric Acid in Hyperuricemic Subjects: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study
This study gave people a special drink and saw if their uric acid levels went down. Because they didn't know who got the real drink or the fake one, and switched between them, we can be pretty sure the drink caused the drop—not something else. But it only lasted two weeks, so we don't know if it works longer.
Analysis score
Maximum 90 for a randomized controlled trial.
Where the score came from
This study tested if a natural compound called IP6, found in foods, can help lower high uric acid levels in people who don't have gout yet.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 553 / 100
Quality score
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups, minimizing bias. The gold standard for testing whether an intervention causes an effect.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1A 15% drop is statistically significant but may not be enough to prevent gout—long-term effects and health benefits are still unknown.
- 2After taking 600 mg of IP6 twice a day for two weeks, uric acid levels dropped by about 15%.
- 3Urine output of uric acid didn't change.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Plant Foods for Human Nutrition
Year
2019
Authors
T. Ikenaga, K. Kakumoto, N. Kohda, Tetsuya Yamamoto
Related Content
Claims (6)
When the body breaks down purines from food, it produces more uric acid in the blood.
Taking 600 mg of inositol hexaphosphate twice daily for two weeks is linked to a measurable decrease in fasting uric acid levels in adults with elevated uric acid but no symptoms of gout.
Taking 600 mg of inositol hexaphosphate twice daily for two weeks lowers fasting serum uric acid levels by about 15% in adults with elevated uric acid levels, and this reduction is linked to decreased purine absorption.
Taking 600 mg of inositol hexaphosphate twice a day for two weeks does not change the ratio of uric acid to creatinine in urine among adults with high uric acid levels.
Taking 600 mg of inositol hexaphosphate twice daily for two weeks lowers fasting uric acid levels in adults with elevated uric acid but no symptoms of gout or kidney disease.
Taking 600 mg of inositol hexaphosphate twice daily for two weeks lowers fasting uric acid levels in the blood by reducing how much purine is absorbed from the intestines, without changing how much uric acid is removed by the kidneys.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.