Category Archives: Gout

Causes Of Gout

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The intense pain, tenderness and swelling associated with gout are brought on by the buildup of uric acid in the joints that leads to inflammation. The presence of uric acid is a natural consequence of the breakdown of cells and proteins whose final products are released into the bloodstream.

Under normal circumstances the kidneys will flush the uric acid from the system through urine. In some cases however the level of uric acid in your blood can rise if your kidneys do not dispose quickly enough or your body produces too much of it. The presence of excessive uric acid in the body is referred to as hyperuricemia. It is important to note that not everyone with hyperuricemia will develop gout, in fact, less than 1 in 5 people with high uric acid end up with gout.

causes of gout

You will be more at risk for gout if you:

Have a family history of gout. Studies show that gout runs in families. Chances are that if you have gout there is a 20% chance that someone else in your family also has or will develop the condition.

Are a male and between the ages of 30-60. Men are four times more likely to develop gout than women. This is due to the fact the uric acid levels rise significantly during puberty.

Are a woman who has been through menopause. During menopause women experience is spike in uric acid levels and it is for this reason gout occurs later in women that it does for men.

Are taking certain medications. Medications like thiazide diuretics used to control high blood pressure. Other medications include, aspirin in low doses reduce uric acid excretion, niacin (used to treat cholesterol problems) and pyrazinamide (used in the treatment of tuberculosis).

Are overweight. Excess weight has been linked to increased uric acid content in the body.

Drink too much alcohol. Alcohol increases the uric acid levels in the body by providing a purine rich source, by increasing the uric acid content in the blood and by interfering with the kidney’s ability to dispose of uric acid.

Are eating foods with high levels of purines. If your diet consists of high levels of purines like those found in red meats and seafood you will increase your uric acid content by providing additional sources of purines.

Have any type of kidney disease that impairs the normal functions of your kidneys. Other conditions that can lead to gout include leukemia, lymphoma and psoriasis.

Low Purine Diet

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Low Purine Diet

Having a low purine diet is essential to anyone suffering with gout. Foods that have a high amount of purines in content will raise the uric acid levels in your body. It is this combined with insufficient amounts of the uricase enzyme (required to metabolize uric acid) that promotes the buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream and subsequent crystallized deposits on the joints.

While gout attacks can be treated with medication, the side effects can be worse than the gout itself. Aside from that, some treatments do not address the root cause of the problem. Limiting the amount of purines in the body by managing intake will definitely promote a reduction of uric acid levels in the bloodstream.

low purine diet

Is A Low Purine Diet Possible?

Yes, it is. With practice, planning and with an expectation of reducing the pain associated with gout anyone can incorporate a low purine diet. The following points will help you with the planning stage:

  • Prepare a list of “safe” foods so that you can incorporate them in your lifestyle and prevent boredom from eating the same foods over and over again.
  • Prepare a list of “unsafe” foods and place in a prominent area in your kitchen so that you are reminded of foods that you should avoid.
  • Take you unsafe list with you when you are eating out.
  • It is a good idea to have family members who are supportive of your new way of life so that they can keep you on track. Where possible, if family members can get on board it will negate the need to have “unsafe” foods in the household.
  • Prepare your menu in advance to avoid impulse eating.

Foods You Should Avoid
In order to help you get started with your list here are some foods that you need to avoid.

  • Fish (herring, mackerel, sardines)
  • Anchovies
  • Organ meats (brain, kidneys, liver, heart)
  • Game meats (duck, goose etc)
  • Scallop and mussels
  • Alcohol

Use These In Moderation

  • Fish and shellfish not included above
  • Dried beans, peas
  • Whole grain breads
  • Poultry
  • Beef, lamb, pork and other red meats
  • Vegetables: asparagus, cauliflower, spinach, mushrooms

Foods You Can Use

  • Low-fat or fat-free cheese.
  • Pudding.
  • Milk: skim or 1% (limit to 24 ounces per day).
  • Soups made without meat extract or broth.
  • Vegetables not mentioned above
  • Fruits and juices.
  • Breads and cereals: low fiber.
  • Pasta and macaroni.
  • Rice.
  • Coffee and tea.

Important guidelines:

Water intake: Increase your water intake to assist your body with the excretion of uric acid in your bloodstream.

Limit fat: Gout will increase your chances for heart disease among others so use low fat foods as much as possible.

Weight: If you are overweight you should take step to reduce your weight as doing so will decrease the quantities of uric acid in your bloodstream.

Gout Pain Relief

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If you are suffering the PAINFUL effects of gout you are more than possibly:

  • In so much pain that you refuse to leave the house unless you absolutely have to.
  • Feel that you HAVE to endure the swelling, throbbing and extreme tenderness in the swollen areas.
  • Waking up in the middle of the night with even more intense burning pain.
  • Experiencing the death of your social life.
  • Did I mention the pain? Oh, the pain.

If you are sick and tired of the pain and not to mention the “traditional” methods of treatment that come with horrid side effects then its time to consider proven alternative treatments that will give you your life back.

gout-pain-relief

Is Gout Preventable? Yes!

Can You Get Gout Pain Relief and Prevent Future Attacks? Yes!

In The Gout Remedy Report I am about to recommend you get:

  • An easy to follow step-by-step gout remedy system, with the most comprehensive gout information available, including alternative remedies, treatments, and rock-solid prevention strategies…
  • Available as a webpage or in downloadable PDF format (using Adobe Reader – a free program you probably already have on your computer) so you can read the report right away, without waiting for a book to arrive in the mail…
  • You’ll learn the 7 Best Alternative Treatments available, as well as doctor-approved ways you can improve the effectiveness of traditional medical treatments…
  • Detailed information on dieting and gout, including the effect of today’s “fad diets” like Atkins, South Beach, The Zone, etc.
  • Resource links for further study, in case you want to see the medical journals and backing for our research
  • A little-known, proven cure related to how you sleep – this shocking discovery could cure your gout forever… and much, much more!

Click to download The Gout Remedy Report.

What Is Gout?

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Gout is a type of arthritis characterized by the buildup of uric acid in the blood which eventually crystallizes in the joints. Gout can affect the wrist, fingers, knees, elbows but it most frequently affects the big toe.

what-is-gout?

Why the buildup of uric acid?

Uric acid is formed when purines are broken down by the body. Purines of itself is not a bad thing, in fact purine play several vital roles in the life process.

Purines:

  • Are involved in the process of converting genes to proteins.
  • Convert the energy produced by our food molecules in such a way that our cells can use them for our good.
  • Act as messengers in the cellular signaling process.  
  • Rid cells of excess nitrogen.
  • Protect cells from cancer-causing agents.

Gout results in people who do not have sufficient quantities of the digestive enzyme uricase and as a result there is a buildup or uric acid in the blood and tissues which later gets deposited as crystals in the joints.