Purine-rich foods: Foods to avoid to reduce the risk of gout
Gout risk is higher in people who eat purine-rich foods, as they increase uric acid levels. Purines are a chemical compound found in some foods, and gout is a condition that affects the joints and the musculoskeletal system. It is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by an excess of uric acid—the product of metabolic processes. When purines are metabolized, they create uric acid, so a diet rich in purines can create an excess amount of uric acid and contribute to gout.
Gout is often referred to as the rich man’s disease because foods high in purine, such as red wine and red meat, are deemed “rich.” Gout can very well be prevented if you are mindful of the foods you are eating. It can be very painful, and even a bed sheet on top of an infected joint can cause severe pain. Numerous studies link a purine-rich diet to gout. Continue reading…
Gout flare-ups can be triggered by food, so knowing what to eat and what to avoid can help you better manage your condition. Gout is a form of arthritis where uric acid crystallizes in small joints—commonly the large toe—causing redness, swelling, and severe pain. Uric acid is the product of the breakdown of purines, which are commonly found in many of the foods we eat. Eating large amounts of purine-rich foods can worsen your gout symptoms.
If you have gout, you will greatly benefit from following a gout-specific diet, as it can help you lower the rate of flare-ups and gout attacks and help you lose weight. Many gout patients are overweight, which is a risk factor for gout.
The basics of a gout diet include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and the occasional low-fat dairy product. Essentially, these are the ingredients to an overall healthy diet that many of us should follow.
Here we will outline a gout diet and help you devise a better way of eating to manage your condition. Continue reading…
Gout sufferers may be able to find relief of painful symptoms by switching to a high-fat, low carbohydrate ketogenic diet. Gout affects over 8 million Americans and is characterized by pain, inflammation, and even fevers during flare-ups, all symptoms that are caused by the continuous reactivation of the immune system.
When urate crystals build up in the joints, your body’s immune system triggers the activation of neutrophils—the most common immune cell, resulting in inflammation. These immune system flare-ups are driven by a protein complex known as NLRP3 inflammasome. Continue reading…
Rheumatoid arthritis and gout may appear the same because they cause pain, swelling, and stiffness of joints, but there are very distinct differences between the two. Both conditions can lead to disability and impede your quality of life, but recognizing the differences can help you choose the appropriate course of action in order to best treat your condition.
Gout is a condition that affects the small joints in the body—primarily those around the big toe. It is caused by an increase of uric acid, which crystallizes, causing redness, pain, and swelling.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune type of arthritis in which the body mistakenly attacks its own joints, once again causing pain, stiffness, and swelling. Here we will explain the other similarities and differences between gout and rheumatoid arthritis in order to increase your understanding of the conditions. Continue reading…
Gout pain can be debilitating, so using natural remedies can offer gout suffers much relief. Gout is a condition characterized by a buildup of uric acid. Uric acid is the result of purines breaking down, which are found naturally in the human body as well as in food.
Typically, uric acid becomes released from the body through the kidneys and urine, but too much uric acid can crystallize and surround joints and tissue. This crystallization results in pain and swelling and can make walking or even wearing shoes difficult.
Symptoms of gout include joint pain, discomfort, inflammation, redness, and limited range of motion. Eating foods high in uric acid—red meat for example—can increase a person’s risk of developing gout, along with being obese, medical conditions like high blood pressure, family history, surgery, and trauma. Continue reading…