Gout is a painful form of arthritis that, if left untreated, can lead to other chronic diseases. There are many conventional medications to treat gout GOUT is the most prevalent cause of chronic inflammatory arthritis in the United States. Globally, about 1–4% of people suffer from gout. So it is fairly common to see in my medical practice Historically it was a Disease of Kings- as Henry VIII had gout. It could afford the rich foods and large amounts of alcohol.
Gout develops from deposits of needle-shaped crystals in and around the joint. The crystals are made of monosodium urate (MSU), which form when the uric acids in blood rise above normal thresholds. Uric acid comes from urate, which comes from molecules called purines Gout is much more common in men than in women. In industrialized countries, it occurs in 3–6% of men and 1–2% of women. And women are usually not at risk for gout attacks until after menopause, as estrogen helps flush out excess uric acid
However, while pharmaceutical treatments may be helpful in some cases, the best gout treatment is prevention. This means to eat better and drink less alcohol
In the long term, the goal is to reduce serum urate levels Following a strict low-purine diet will lower uric acid levels by at most 30%There is some genetic predisposition in a small percentage of individuals The DASH diet, for example, has been shown to lower serum uric acid compared to a standard Western diet Aplant based diet may also help reduce goiut. It’s likely that the fiber and vitamins delivered by a health-promoting plant-based diet support overall health and help the body manage uric acid levels more effectively. A 2019 study found that increasing vegetable consumption may help reduce the risk of developing gout. Some nuts and seeds may lower gout risk by reducing uric acid levels. In a 2021 study, researchers found that eating more pine nuts and walnuts was linked to a lower risk of hyperuricemia in young adults
I encourage tart cherry juice consumption as there are some studies to reduce gout attacks. Vitamin C acts as a powerful antioxidant, which can help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation associated with gout.
Lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, staying hydrated, managing stress, and quitting smoking support gout prevention You can also find gout friendly recipes on line
You don’t have to suffer with gout and you don’t have to take medications for life