Research suggests that reducing calories and losing weight even without a purine-restricted diet lowers uric acid levels and reduces the number of gout attacks. There is no cure for gout, but the disease can be controlled with medication. Avoiding alcoholic beverages and foods high in sugar or purines (found in red meat and seafood), which can raise uric acid levels, may also help. However, the truth is much more complicated.
Up to 4% of American adults have gout each year, and rising obesity rates increase our risk. But don't believe everything you hear when it comes to advice on diet and gout. Diet matters, but not always the way you think. Rheumatologist Scott Burg, DO, shares more information about this common condition.
It's a common myth that these foods cause gout. When consumed in moderation, desserts and other rich foods do not affect gout outbreaks. But “moderation” is the key word. Rich foods may not cause exacerbations directly, but they can lead to weight gain.
And obesity is one of the main risk factors for gout attacks. Yes, it's a good idea to give up alcohol. Alcohol molecules in the body tend to increase uric acid levels, so drinking can push you to the limit and cause you to have an attack. If you've been recently diagnosed and you start taking medications, try to stop drinking alcohol at first.
Your doctor may allow you to add a small amount back to your diet over time as your uric acid levels drop. Learn how a person can eat to control and prevent gout, including how diet affects gout, what foods to eat and what foods to avoid. People who have gout, kidney stones, or a similar condition may benefit from a low-purine diet. Learn what foods to eat and which to avoid here.
Eating a diet rich in vegetables, low-fat dairy products, tofu, whole grains, legumes, citrus fruits and cherries can help lower uric acid levels and prevent gout attacks. If you're at risk of developing gout or experiencing another gout attack, it's worth trying a low-purine diet. A diet for gout is usually part of a comprehensive program that is recommended after you have been diagnosed with the condition. Nutritious foods that help the body eliminate uric acid are at the heart of an effective diet to control gout.
Others, such as Dr. Hyon Choi, an internationally recognized gout expert and rheumatologist at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver General Hospital and epidemiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, think that some people can be helped with diet alone, especially if they have only one mild attack. A healthy diet for a person with gout should include all food groups and be rich in nutrient-rich and minimally processed ingredients. This is important in relation to gout because not only can it reduce the risk of developing the condition, but it can also reduce pressure on joints, help reduce pain, improve function, and slow the progression of arthritis problems often faced by people diagnosed with gout.
But once you get used to choosing legumes, eggs, chicken, protein-rich grains, or other types of plant-based protein, you might find that following a gout diet allows you to feel satisfied and satisfied. A well-balanced diet for gout can not only reduce the risk of an attack, but it can also slow the progression of gout-related joint damage. As such, adopting the gout diet may be part of your long-term care plan to help you spend more time in remission and less time managing pain seizures. This knowledge has allowed the diet for gout to evolve to be more nutritious and, at the same time, useful in managing this condition.
In addition to following the diet for gout, your healthcare provider may recommend that you make other changes to help you live comfortably with gout. While big toes seem to be especially prone to gout inflammation, gout attacks can occur in almost any joint in the legs or arms, including the instep, ankles, heels, knees, wrists, fingers, and elbows. .
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