Difference between revisions of "Lower Uric Acid to Get Rid of Gout"
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#* Kidney stones happen when uric acid crystals form in the kidneys. | #* Kidney stones happen when uric acid crystals form in the kidneys. | ||
#*Crystal formations called tophi can form under the skin. | #*Crystal formations called tophi can form under the skin. | ||
| − | #Completely avoid certain high-purine animal products. Certain meats, fish and other animal products contain high amounts of purine, which converts to uric acid. When too much uric acid builds up in the joints, it leads to gout.<ref>http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/gout-diet/art-20048524?footprints=mine</ref> Completely avoiding the following high-purine foods will help ease the impact of your gout: | + | #Completely avoid certain high-purine animal products. Certain meats, fish and other animal products contain high amounts of purine, which converts to uric acid. When too much uric acid builds up in the joints, it leads to gout.<ref name="rf1">http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/gout-diet/art-20048524?footprints=mine</ref> Completely avoiding the following high-purine foods will help ease the impact of your gout: |
#*Organ meats | #*Organ meats | ||
#*Herring | #*Herring | ||
#*Anchovies | #*Anchovies | ||
#*Mackerel | #*Mackerel | ||
| − | #Limit your consumption of all meat and fish. All meat, fish and poultry has some amount of uric acid. While you don't have to become a strict vegetarian, cutting back on meat and fish is an essential step to treating the disease.<ref | + | #Limit your consumption of all meat and fish. All meat, fish and poultry has some amount of uric acid. While you don't have to become a strict vegetarian, cutting back on meat and fish is an essential step to treating the disease.<ref name="rf1" /> Limit your consumption of the following foods to 4 to 6 ounces (1 serving) daily: |
#*Poultry | #*Poultry | ||
#*Red meat (pork, beef and lamb) | #*Red meat (pork, beef and lamb) | ||
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#*Pineapple | #*Pineapple | ||
#Eat less fat. Eating a lot of saturated fat has been shown to inhibit the body's ability to process uric acid. Avoid fried foods and foods with a high fat content, like full-fat dairy. Low-fat foods like fruits and vegetables, legumes, and whole grains will help you manage gout. | #Eat less fat. Eating a lot of saturated fat has been shown to inhibit the body's ability to process uric acid. Avoid fried foods and foods with a high fat content, like full-fat dairy. Low-fat foods like fruits and vegetables, legumes, and whole grains will help you manage gout. | ||
| − | #Avoid high-fructose corn syrup. Fructose increases uric acid, so avoid beverages sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup as well as desserts and other items that contain this substance.<ref | + | #Avoid high-fructose corn syrup. Fructose increases uric acid, so avoid beverages sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup as well as desserts and other items that contain this substance.<ref name="rf1" /> It's important to read food packages carefully, because HFCS is present in a lot of different foods, even those that don't necessarily taste sweet, like bread or snack foods. |
===Making Lifestyle Changes=== | ===Making Lifestyle Changes=== | ||
#Keep your weight down. People who are overweight or obese are at greater risk for developing gout. Losing weight can help keep gout in check and move you closer toward getting rid of it for good. Talk with your doctor about constructing a healthy weight-loss plan that involves limiting foods high in purine. It should be constructed around the following foods, in addition to plenty of exercise: | #Keep your weight down. People who are overweight or obese are at greater risk for developing gout. Losing weight can help keep gout in check and move you closer toward getting rid of it for good. Talk with your doctor about constructing a healthy weight-loss plan that involves limiting foods high in purine. It should be constructed around the following foods, in addition to plenty of exercise: | ||
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#*Get plenty of sleep every night. Aim for 7-8 hours, and try to stick to a schedule. | #*Get plenty of sleep every night. Aim for 7-8 hours, and try to stick to a schedule. | ||
#Cut back on alcohol, especially beer. Beer is known to increase uric acid, and it should be completely avoided to combat gout. Wine, however, shouldn't increase uric acid if it's consumed in small quantities. Drinking just one or two 5-ounce servings a day does not increase your risk. | #Cut back on alcohol, especially beer. Beer is known to increase uric acid, and it should be completely avoided to combat gout. Wine, however, shouldn't increase uric acid if it's consumed in small quantities. Drinking just one or two 5-ounce servings a day does not increase your risk. | ||
| − | #Drink lots of water. It helps to flush uric acid from the system, relieving your joints of buildup. Drink more than you normally would - at least 8 to 16 8-ounce glasses every day.<ref | + | #Drink lots of water. It helps to flush uric acid from the system, relieving your joints of buildup. Drink more than you normally would - at least 8 to 16 8-ounce glasses every day.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #Assess your vitamin and pain medication intake. People who take a lot of vitamins containing niacin as well as some over-the-counter medicines are at an increased risk of developing gout. If you tend to take a lot of vitamins and medicines, meet with your doctor to discuss how they might be affecting your gout.<ref>http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Gout/gout_ff.asp</ref> The following supplements and medicines may put you at risk of having flare-ups: | + | #Assess your vitamin and pain medication intake. People who take a lot of vitamins containing niacin as well as some over-the-counter medicines are at an increased risk of developing gout. If you tend to take a lot of vitamins and medicines, meet with your doctor to discuss how they might be affecting your gout.<ref name="rf2">http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Gout/gout_ff.asp</ref> The following supplements and medicines may put you at risk of having flare-ups: |
#*Niacin | #*Niacin | ||
#*Aspirin | #*Aspirin | ||
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#*Corticosteroids, such as prednisone. | #*Corticosteroids, such as prednisone. | ||
#*Colchicine. This medicine works best when taken within the first 12 hours of an acute attack. | #*Colchicine. This medicine works best when taken within the first 12 hours of an acute attack. | ||
| − | #Get treated for underlying causes. Gout isn't always a result of eating too much meat and other purine-heavy foods. Sometimes it's a result of the body's inability to get rid of uric acid for other reasons. If you've been affected by one of the following issues, you'll need to get proper treatment to keep your gout in check:<ref | + | #Get treated for underlying causes. Gout isn't always a result of eating too much meat and other purine-heavy foods. Sometimes it's a result of the body's inability to get rid of uric acid for other reasons. If you've been affected by one of the following issues, you'll need to get proper treatment to keep your gout in check:<ref name="rf2" /> |
#*Some people with gout have an enzyme defect that makes it very difficult for the body to break down purines. | #*Some people with gout have an enzyme defect that makes it very difficult for the body to break down purines. | ||
#*Some people have gout as a result of being exposed to lead in the environment. | #*Some people have gout as a result of being exposed to lead in the environment. | ||
#*People who have had an organ transplant are particularly susceptible. | #*People who have had an organ transplant are particularly susceptible. | ||
| − | #Look into new therapies for gout. Since gout is on the rise, new therapies and medications are always being tested.<ref | + | #Look into new therapies for gout. Since gout is on the rise, new therapies and medications are always being tested.<ref name="rf2" /> If gout is affecting your quality of life and conventional ways of treating it aren't working, talk with your doctor about exploring all of your options. |
== Sources and Citations == | == Sources and Citations == | ||
