Question by Enlightenme!: What is Gout and what are some ways to prevent it?
Best answer:
Answer by EarthMuffin
Gout is a common type of arthritis caused by an increased concentration of uric acid (the final breakdown product of purine-one of the units of DNA and RNA) in biological fluids. In gout, uric acid crystals are deposited in joints, tendons, kidneys, and other tissues, where they cause considerable inflammation and damage. Gout may lead to debilitation from the uric acid deposits around the joints and tendons, and kidney involvement may result in kidney failure.
The first attack of gout is characterized by intense pain, usually involving only one joint. The first joint of the big toe is affected in nearly half of the first attacks, and is at some time involved in over ninety percent of individuals with gout. If the attack progresses, fever and chills will appear. The first attacks usually occur at night and are usually preceded by a specific event, such as dietary excess, alcohol ingestion, trauma, certain drugs (mainly chemotherapy drugs, certain diuretics, and high dosages of niacin), or surgery.
Gout is the result of either increased synthesis of uric acid; reduced ability to excrete uric acid; or both over production and under excretion of uric acid. Several dietary factors are known to be trigger gout, including consumption of alcohol, high-purine-content foods (organ meats, meat, yeast, poultry, etc.), fats, refined carbohydrates, and excessive calories.
Alcohol increases uric acid production by accelerating purine breakdown. It also reduces uric acid excretion by increasing lactate production, which impairs kidney function. Elimination of alcohol is all that is needed to reduce uric acid levels and prevent gouty arthritis in many individuals.
A low-purine diet has long been the mainstay of dietary therapy for gout. Foods with high purine levels should be entirely omitted. These include: organ meats, meats, shellfish, yeast (brewer’s and baker’s), herring, sardines, mackerel, and anchovies. Intake of foods with moderate levels of protein should be reduced as well. These include: dried legumes, spinach, asparagus, fish, poultry, and mushrooms.
Obesity is associated with an increased rate of gout. Weight reduction in obese individuals significantly reduces serum uric acid levels. Weight reduction should involve the use of a high-fiber, low-fat diet, as this type of diet will help manage the elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels that are also common in obesity.
Refined carbohydrates, fructose, and saturated fat intake should be kept to a minimum. Simple sugars (refined sugar, honey, maple syrup, corn syrup, fructose, etc.) increase uric acid production, while saturated fats decrease uric acid excretion. The diet should focus on complex carbohydrates such as legumes, whole grains, and vegetables rather than on simple sugars.
Liberal fluid intake keeps the urine diluted and promotes the excretion of uric acid. Furthermore, dilution of the urine reduces the risk of kidney stones. Drink at least 48 ounces of water each day.
Cherries, hawthorn berries, blueberries, and other dark red-blue berries are rich sources of anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins. Consuming one-half pound of fresh or canned cherries per day has been shown to be very effective in lowering uric acid levels and preventing attacks of gout. In addition to consuming anthocyanidin- and proanthocyanidin-rich berries, extracts of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), grape seed (Vitis vinifera), or pine bark (Pinus maritima) can be used. The typical dosage recommendation for these flavonoid rich extracts is 150 to 300 mg daily.
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Wow, I was going to answer but after reading the first one my answer is just too basic.
Gout is painful, collects in the joints, and eating Bing cherries will help. Also, drinking water and laying down afterwards.
Comment by dt_05851 — December 12, 2010 @ 1:57 pm
Gout is a form of arthirits. I don’t know if you can prevent it. My husband has it and he watches his diet ( nitrates, like in bacon, hot dogs etc makes it worse, beer also is a thing to avoid. But it is also hereitary. He had his uric acid levels tested and they were high so they put him on a medication that basically makes him have diarrhea on the days that he is having a flare up. I have also heard that pure cherry juice daily can help..
Comment by carasmom — December 12, 2010 @ 2:32 pm
Gout is condition that results from crystals of uric acid depositing in tissues of the body.
In addition to an inherited abnormality in handling uric acid, other risk factors for developing gout include obesity, excessive weight gain, especially in youth, moderate to heavy alcohol intake, high blood pressure, and abnormal kidney function. Certain drugs, such as thiazide diuretics, low-dose aspirin, niacin, cyclosporine, tuberculosis medications (pyrazinamide and ethambutol), and others can also cause elevated uric acid levels in the blood and lead to gout. Furthermore, certain diseases lead to excessive production of uric acid in the body. Examples of these diseases include leukemias, lymphomas, and hemoglobin disorders
Comment by EW — December 12, 2010 @ 3:14 pm
gout is a serious thing …My dad had gout and it shut his kidneys down due to the medicine that they had him own for so many years….The best thing to do is get of the medicine that they have you own for gout….And drink as much water as you can because it will keep the gout from forming and settling into your joints….Eating Bing cherries a hand full aday will help you more than the medicines that they give you .Gout is to be taken very serious…Just because some days it dosent effect you dose not mean to eat things that will hurt you…..All things that have protein in them stay away from….And folic acid ….Drinking water all the time will help you more than you no…God bless you through this battle…And research this as much as you can for your own health…..Bless the U S A and all…
Comment by patricia — December 12, 2010 @ 3:36 pm