Gout is a kind of arthritis that is characterized by an inflammation of the joints. Those suffering from gout describe the attacks as sharp and severe, accompanied by sore, swollen joints. [1]
And if you’re wondering which joints are usually affected, then sources report that almost 50 percent of cases happen in the big toes, and some in the heels, fingers, wrists, and knees. [2, 3, 4]
Usually happening at night and lasting in the next 3-10 days, gout attacks are typically associated with uric acid – especially when there’s too much of it in the blood. Most patients get these attacks because their system cannot get rid of the extra uric acid well. [5] Gout happens when uric acid piles up in crystals and settles in the joints, causing all the swelling and soreness. [4]
Others, however, suffer from gout attacks because of their diet. [6, 7]
Uric acid has a lot to do with gout attacks.
That’s because when your system breaks down this chemical called “purine,” it produces uric acid. The body gets rid of uric acid when you pee.
Purine may already be found in your body, but in the food you eat as well. This is why some patients suffer from gout attacks because of genetics (excess purine in the system or the body can’t efficiently break it down), or when they eat food that contains purine that’s too much for their body to break down.
While not a cure altogether, a gout diet may bring down uric acid levels in the bloodstream and make gout attacks less likely to happen.
Note, however, that a gout diet may not completely eliminate gout and medication may still be needed to complement it.
A gout diet may sound like a hard thing to take on, but when you think about these guiding principles, it will start to sound like it’s very doable!
Given these guiding principles, here’s a list of food that you can eat under a gout diet:
Given what we’ve just talked about, you may want to steer clear of high-purine foods altogether, specifically those with over 200 mg for every 3.5 ounces (100 grams). [8]
According to Mayo Clinic and Healthline, here are the foods to avoid: [9, 10]
If you feel like doing more and are so committed to getting rid of gout, here are some additional things you could do aside from eating properly:
Lose weight
Excess weight can trigger gout attacks, since being overweight is often associated to insulin resistance. When the body can’t use insulin to get rid of sugar from the blood, it leads to an increase in uric acid levels. [11, 12] However, avoid crash diet as it tends to be counter-productive. Eating as little as you could leads to abrupt weight loss, which according to studies also triggers gout attacks. [13, 14, 15]
Exercise
If you must lose weight, why not do more workouts? Studies show that exercise reduces uric acid levels. [16]
Try supplements
Given that Vitamin C and cherry extracts help reduce uric acid levels, consider taking supplements to gain more of these vitamins. VALI Organic Tart Cherry Extract has an advanced anti-inflammatory blend to help protect against swelling and gout. In fact, user reviews rave about how it can help get rid of stiff joints and inflammation. Buy it on our website here or on Amazon.com here.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0022797/
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20203467
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3117776/
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19692116
[5] https://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/gout/
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16253630
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16253630
[8] https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bpb/37/5/37_b13-00967/_pdf
[10] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-diet-for-gout#section3
[11] http://www.jrheum.org/content/jrheum/29/7/1350.full.pdf
[12] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15230133
[13] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8363205/
[14] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3404561
[15] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15826477/
[16] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21793335
Women nearing their mid-40s are most likely aware of one imminent thing: menopause. Some have a tough time because of symptoms (read: hot flushes, heavier or lighter period, mood swings).
But while these symptoms may sound unpleasant, good news is that they’re highly treatable through medications, therapies, home remedies, and lifestyle changes.
It’s key to prioritize sleep and make sure that you’re clocking enough hours. Sleeplessness has adverse effects that could impact your everyday life and long-term wellness (more of this later), so it’s key to understand the important role sleep plays in your general health.
Tina Sendin
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