Fahmida Hashem :
Gout has long been known as the ‘disease of kings’ as it is a type of arthritis that is caused by an excess of a waste product called uric acid in the blood. When there is too much uric acid, crystals can form in the joints, causing severe pain, tenderness, redness, and inflammation. Gout most commonly affects men >40. However, it can also affect women who have been through menopause.
Attacks of gout are most painful during the first 24 hours. If it is left untreated, gout can spread to other joints in the body, in both the upper and lower limbs. Proper Diet can help to reduce the incidence of gout, and can play an important role in the treatment of gout. Traditionally gout diets have focused on what not to eat namely foods rich in purines, nitrogen containing compounds that are metabolized into uric acid in the body. Studies shows that consuming certain types of food can bring on a gout attack. Substances known as purines are present in animal and plant foods and turned into uric acid in the body. Foods high in purines increase the risk of a person developing gout. Reducing intake of these foods will help prevent it.
The low-fat, low-glycaemic index (GI) diet that can help to prevent or treat insulin resistance will also benefit patients suffering from gout. Researchers concluded that another component of coffee and not caffeine has this lowering effect on uric acid levels. This does not mean that gout sufferers should drink endless cups of coffee all day long, but a moderate intake of 2 to 3 cups of coffee is allowed.
The use of low-fat milk and dairy products (yoghurt, cheese) helped to lower uric acid levels and it is recommended that gout patients should have at least 2 servings of low-fat dairy or milk a day. Fruit juices and fructose raised uric acid levels significantly.
The use of fruit juices and fructose-rich foods is regarded as an important risk factor for the development of gout and patients should limit their intakes of fruit juice and fructose-sweetened foods. Try to manage your fructose by avoiding honey, brown sugar and corn syrup solids (check food labels).
Avoid drinking soy milk if you have gout. Omega-3s are extremely helpful for people who have gout or other types of arthritis, because the production of compounds called resolvins and protectins by the fat aids in controlling inflammation. Therapeutic herbs such as ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, work well in reducing the pain brought about by gout because they are potent anti-inflammatories.
Potassium rich food provides support to gout patients, as potassium, neutralizes uric acid found in your urine and encourages your body to excrete this acid. Green vegetable juice, avocados, papayas, and broccoli are excellent sources of potassium. Pure water is the best drink for people with gout. Ensuring a sufficient fluid intake helps to reduce the risk of crystals forming in joints. So keep hydrate your body.
Vitamin C supplements may be beneficial for preventing gout. It’s thought that vitamin C supplements can help reduce the levels of uric acid in your blood. Too much vitamin C can actually increase the levels of uric acid in your body, so talk to your doctor about incorporating vitamin C supplements into your diet.
Lifestyle changes such as eating more healthful foods and exercising may help to manage gout. If necessary, losing weight can lower the risk of developing further gout attacks. As well as the obvious benefits, engaging in physical activity is an important part of maintaining a healthy weight.
Certain medications can be used as treatment to relieve symptoms and reduce uric acid levels. Another form of treatment is to make changes to diet to help prevent further attacks. While medications are key factors in the management and treatment of gout, dietary factors can also play an important role. A diet to lower uric acid levels, along with medications prescribed by your doctor & nutritionist, makes gout one of the most controllable forms of arthritis.
While you should always discuss the merits and drawbacks of specific foods with your doctor & nutritionists, use this shopping checklist as a general guide to food choices to improve your gout health, lower uric acid levels, Skim milk, Low-fat dairy products (yogurt, cheese), Whole-grain products, Plant oils (olive, canola, sunflower) Vegetables, Vitamin C supplements, Coffee (if you drink it), Water bottles.
Now days chikungunya spread everywhere like endemic. After recovery from chikungunya it carries long-time disabilities like rheumatic arthritis, gout, joint pain etc.
And who had already gout problem they would be face a big problem. Whatever there is no cure for gout, but it can be treated and controlled. Gout can be prevented with appropriate physiotherapy and diet to lower the blood uric acid and purine level! n
Gout has long been known as the ‘disease of kings’ as it is a type of arthritis that is caused by an excess of a waste product called uric acid in the blood. When there is too much uric acid, crystals can form in the joints, causing severe pain, tenderness, redness, and inflammation. Gout most commonly affects men >40. However, it can also affect women who have been through menopause.
Attacks of gout are most painful during the first 24 hours. If it is left untreated, gout can spread to other joints in the body, in both the upper and lower limbs. Proper Diet can help to reduce the incidence of gout, and can play an important role in the treatment of gout. Traditionally gout diets have focused on what not to eat namely foods rich in purines, nitrogen containing compounds that are metabolized into uric acid in the body. Studies shows that consuming certain types of food can bring on a gout attack. Substances known as purines are present in animal and plant foods and turned into uric acid in the body. Foods high in purines increase the risk of a person developing gout. Reducing intake of these foods will help prevent it.
The low-fat, low-glycaemic index (GI) diet that can help to prevent or treat insulin resistance will also benefit patients suffering from gout. Researchers concluded that another component of coffee and not caffeine has this lowering effect on uric acid levels. This does not mean that gout sufferers should drink endless cups of coffee all day long, but a moderate intake of 2 to 3 cups of coffee is allowed.
The use of low-fat milk and dairy products (yoghurt, cheese) helped to lower uric acid levels and it is recommended that gout patients should have at least 2 servings of low-fat dairy or milk a day. Fruit juices and fructose raised uric acid levels significantly.
The use of fruit juices and fructose-rich foods is regarded as an important risk factor for the development of gout and patients should limit their intakes of fruit juice and fructose-sweetened foods. Try to manage your fructose by avoiding honey, brown sugar and corn syrup solids (check food labels).
Avoid drinking soy milk if you have gout. Omega-3s are extremely helpful for people who have gout or other types of arthritis, because the production of compounds called resolvins and protectins by the fat aids in controlling inflammation. Therapeutic herbs such as ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, work well in reducing the pain brought about by gout because they are potent anti-inflammatories.
Potassium rich food provides support to gout patients, as potassium, neutralizes uric acid found in your urine and encourages your body to excrete this acid. Green vegetable juice, avocados, papayas, and broccoli are excellent sources of potassium. Pure water is the best drink for people with gout. Ensuring a sufficient fluid intake helps to reduce the risk of crystals forming in joints. So keep hydrate your body.
Vitamin C supplements may be beneficial for preventing gout. It’s thought that vitamin C supplements can help reduce the levels of uric acid in your blood. Too much vitamin C can actually increase the levels of uric acid in your body, so talk to your doctor about incorporating vitamin C supplements into your diet.
Lifestyle changes such as eating more healthful foods and exercising may help to manage gout. If necessary, losing weight can lower the risk of developing further gout attacks. As well as the obvious benefits, engaging in physical activity is an important part of maintaining a healthy weight.
Certain medications can be used as treatment to relieve symptoms and reduce uric acid levels. Another form of treatment is to make changes to diet to help prevent further attacks. While medications are key factors in the management and treatment of gout, dietary factors can also play an important role. A diet to lower uric acid levels, along with medications prescribed by your doctor & nutritionist, makes gout one of the most controllable forms of arthritis.
While you should always discuss the merits and drawbacks of specific foods with your doctor & nutritionists, use this shopping checklist as a general guide to food choices to improve your gout health, lower uric acid levels, Skim milk, Low-fat dairy products (yogurt, cheese), Whole-grain products, Plant oils (olive, canola, sunflower) Vegetables, Vitamin C supplements, Coffee (if you drink it), Water bottles.
Now days chikungunya spread everywhere like endemic. After recovery from chikungunya it carries long-time disabilities like rheumatic arthritis, gout, joint pain etc.
And who had already gout problem they would be face a big problem. Whatever there is no cure for gout, but it can be treated and controlled. Gout can be prevented with appropriate physiotherapy and diet to lower the blood uric acid and purine level! n
[Fahmida Hashem, Consulting Nutritionist & CEO, Miss Nutritionist (Center for nutrition & weight management)]
