Uric acid is the end product of protein
breakdown, specifically purine. Our kidneys take care of excreting uric acid
via the urine. However when the amount of uric acid is too much, the excess spills
into the blood stream. And when the blood and urine are supersaturated with
uric acid, it goes into the joints and tendons forming insoluble urate crystals
that destroy joint tissues, producing joint pains similar to arthritis.
This type of arthritis, commonly known as
gouty arthritis or gout, may become chronic and deforming.
The cause of gout varies but attacks may be
precipitated by trauma, alcohol ingestion, over eating, obesity, low
carbohydrate diets, surgery, dieresis, infection, drugs, etc.
Diet therapy is currently being used in conjunction
with drugs therapy to lower blood uric acid levels. The rationale of the diet
is to restrict the intake of foods high in purine to prevent the formation of
uric acid. However, since only 15% of uric acid formed daily comes from dietary
sources and the rest from tissue turnover, it is only necessary to restrict foods
particularly high in purines like organs meats, fish roe, anchovies, sardines,
and animal meats. Sources with moderate to low levels of purine such as beans,
lentils, peas and other foods from the plant kingdom need not be avoided.
I have come across many diets prescribed for
high blood uric acids primarily by physicians. The most popular one is the diet
of a physician named Jung in the 60’s. Jung put together a list of foods high
in purine which should be avoided to lower uric acid levels. The list is still
being used today but considered obsolete in most Western countries which have
done scientific research on this problem. The list includes foods such as
tomatoes, eggplant, cucumber, beans etc. Again these are plant foods that need
not be avoided anymore. Besides, the benefits of the fiber, vitamins and
minerals far outweigh effects of the purine content. Another bizarre diet was
given to a patient by a physician that restricts the use of round fruits or
vegetables to lower the uric acid level. For what reason, I do not know. But
any health professional who actually believes that the shape of the food has
any relation to its composition needs to go back to school.
What was recently been shown to be more
effective in the treatment of gout is weight reduction. Obesity is linked to an
increase in the production of uric acid and a decreased ability to eliminate it.
Moreover, weight loss should be gradual on a relatively high carbohydrate diet.
If a low carbohydrate diet (i.e., no rice or bread) is used muscle is used to
provide energy. The end product of muscle breakdown is also uric acid.
In addition, the diet should be low in fat
and alcohol. Fat and alcohol prevent uric acid from being secreted. Abundant
fluid intake and water is also needed by the kidneys to aid in the excretion of
the excess uric acid in the urine.
Uric
acid gout diet
Uric acid is a waste product left after the
purines in the body decomposes. Acid has been created in the liver and excreted
in the urine. The blood carries around this acid, which also passes through the
kidneys. When people eat foods that contain a large amount of foods rich in
purines, leading to an increase in uric acid levels in the body. While uric
acid itself is not actually detrimental to the body, an excess of it can lead
to a very painful condition known as gout. More uric acid, which is not eliminated
in the urine accumulate in the joints, in the form of crystals. People with
gout are usually asked to follow a strict diet to reduce uric acid, to prevent
attacks of gout, which can be very painful. The reduction of uric acid in the
diet can prevent the situation from getting too painful. So here are some tips
to follow a special diet gout uric acid, which can reduce the severity of the
condition:
• Avoid or preferable to completely remove
the alcohol. Alcoholic beverages, especially wine and beer are rich in purines
raise uric acid levels in the body greatly. Alcohol also interferes with the
proper disposal of uric acid from the body,
• Water is not only performing one of the
most important roles in reducing uric acid, which also cleans toxins from the
digestive system. A minimum of 8 glasses of water should be consumed by people
suffering from gout.
• An increase in the use of dairy products
may help prevent gout uric acid in the problem occurred. Most doctors advise
gout patients to increase their consumption of low fat yogurt and cheese.
• Meats are usually high in purines and
therefore, the use of red meats, organs such as the tongue and liver, and
sauces enriched with meat should be completely avoided.
• Fresh fruit is good for reducing uric acid
and therefore, the fruits such as bananas, strawberries and blueberries should
be consumed regularly for gout patients. Most doctors also recommend a
day-to-day use of black cherry, wild cherry juice or cherries to control gout
uric acid.
• Many fresh vegetables are good for reducing
uric acid in the body, however, some foods such as spinach, mushrooms,
cauliflower, asparagus, peas and beans should be eaten only in limited
quantities.
• Food or beverages, which are rich in sugar
can aggravate gout, and other symptoms of high uric acid. Therefore, the sweets
should be avoided or eaten in small quantities only.
Gout and high uric acid levels can be very
serious and should not be ignored or treated. In fact, it is best to contact a
physician for information on the oxidation of uric acid, drugs for the
treatment of gout uric acid problems, and recommendations to reduce uric acid.
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