Why You Should Go for a Low Uric Acid Diet
Gout is often associated with hyperuricemia, a condition where uric acid levels in the body are elevated. This is usually caused either by over-production of uric acid or improper elimination of uric acid by the body. Uric acid levels may also be affected by a bad diet. So now the question is: if a high uric acid level is linked to gout, shouldn?t a low uric acid diet be the answer to the gout problem?
What is uric acid? Uric acid is a nitrogenous compound that the body produces as a product of the metabolism of protein. While it is already present in the body, it can also be ingested through protein-sourced food that contains purine. Purine becomes uric acid once it undergoes digestion.
Normally, the body will simply excrete uric acid in the urine but if the levels of uric acid rise due to too much consumption or if the functioning of the kidneys is affected, this is where the problem of gout begins.
Sodium urate crystals become embedded into a joint (usually the one located in the big toe). Since these crystals aren?t supposed to be there, the body produces white blood cells to try to 'attack' this foreign material as an immune response. When this happens, the white blood cells produce chemical substances that lead to inflammation. This is where you'll experience a bad gout attack.
Maintaining a low uric acid diet Gout prevention actually involves following dietary restrictions that involve avoidance of foods that are rich in purine. The idea is to minimize the presence of purine so that the body does not have the chance to turn it into uric acid.
As such, doctors recommend that people with gout or those who wish to prevent gout should stay away from food and drinks that have high levels of purine. Red meat, organ meats and seafoods have been linked to an increased risk of developing gout. Foods that contain low potential for uric acid production include:
- high fiber foods like whole grains, breads and cereals - fruits rich in Vitamins A, C and E such as mangoes, apples, papaya, cantaloupe, pineapples, peaches, strawberries and kiwi fruits - vegetables such as collards, broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts - unsalted nuts like almonds, walnuts and Brazil nuts, along with pumpkin and sunflower seeds, which are rich in Vitamin E and Omega-3 fatty acids - spices such as garlic, turmeric and ginger, which are known for their anti-inflammatory qualities
Doctors and nutritionists agree that maintaining a low uric acid diet can ease the symptoms of gout and may even totally eliminate them. A low uric acid diet can also reduce the risk of developing gout.
When low is too low A low uric acid level was once thought not to cause any problems. Unfortunately, that may not be true. Too low levels may worsen the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and can even lead to copper toxicity. This means that while uric acid can play a major part in the development of gout, it should not be totally eliminated from the diet.
Daniel researches effective methods of treating and preventing gout attacks naturally. For more practical tips about eliminating gout flare ups take a look at this Low Uric Acid Diet website.
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