Diet that lowers blood pressure may treat gout, too

A diet that promotes healthy blood pressure may also aid in the treatment of gout. The clinical trial included over 400 participants who followed either the DASH diet or a typical American diet. The DASH diet focuses on high consumption of fruits and vegetables, and low fat intake.

Aside from lowering blood pressure, the DASH diet was also found to lower the levels of uric acid, which is known to cause gout when crystallized. In some participants, the effect of the DASH diet on gout was so strong that it matched the effects of traditional gout medications.

The findings of the study suggest that dietary interventions can be successful in gout treatment.
Senior author Dr. Edgar Miller III said, “Results of this trial are good news to patients with high blood levels of uric acid or those at risk for gout. A dietary approach to prevent gout should be considered first-line therapy.”

“This study suggests that standard dietary advice for uric acid reduction – which is to reduce alcohol and protein intake – should now include advice to adopt the DASH diet,” he concluded.

Gout is a type of arthritis that affects 8.3 million Americans.

Also, read Bel Marra Health’s article: Gout diet: What to eat and what to avoid

Sources:
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/blood_pressure_diet_improves_gout_blood_marker