Gout

Given the "silly season" is upon us, I'd thought my first posts should be aimed at those of us who will over-indulge this month! Firstly, Gout:

Gout is an inflammatory arthritis caused by deposits of sodium urate (uric acid) in and around joints, notably the great toes. It has sudden onset and once it accumulates doesn’t go away. The affected joints show signs of warmth, redness, and tenderness often not being able to tolerate any pressure

Uric acid is a waste product of purines and gout occurs when it is not excreted effectively by the body. A diet high in meat protein and alcohol is often the cause, although kidney malfunction is also a factor.

Gout can seem to flare up without specific cause or can be brought on by factors such as being overweight, eating meats and seafood that are high in purines, taking certain medications (especially aspirin and diuretics), and drinking too much alcohol.

Risk Factors
Genetics. 10% to 20% of people with gout has a family history of the condition.

Age. Gout usually first occurs in middle-aged men and it is most often associated in this age group with obesity, high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels and heavy alcohol use. Gout can also develop in older people, when it occurs equally in men and women.

Gender. Men are significantly at higher risk for gout which typically strikes after 20 to 40 years of persistent hyper-uricemia (excessive uric acid blood levels). Women's uric acid levels approach that of men after menopause, so symptoms in women generally appear after the age of 50.

Alcohol Use. Alcohol use is highly associated with gout in younger adults and binge drinking particularly increases uric acid levels and overloads the kidneys.

Obesity. Research reports a clear link between body weight and uric acid levels. Obesity may be an especially important risk factor for gout in men. Children who are obese may have a higher risk for gout in adulthood.

Medications. The use of diuretics, which are agents used to treat high blood pressure, are highly associated with gout. Low-dose aspirin, niacin, cyclosporine, tuberculosis medications and others can also cause elevated uric acid levels in the blood and lead to gout. Furthermore, certain diseases lead to excessive production of uric acid in the body.

Medical conditions. Certain diseases and medications make it more likely that you'll develop gout. These include untreated high blood pressure (hypertension) and chronic conditions such as diabetes, high levels of LDL (‘bad’ cholesterol) and narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Surgery, sudden or severe illness or injury, and immobility due to bed rest also can increase uric acid levels. Also chemotherapy treatments for cancer may increase the breakdown of abnormal cells, releasing large amounts of purines into the blood.

Treatment through Diet
Foods that are high in purines, and therefore should be limited in the diet, include:
· red meat especially organ meats eg liver, kidney, brain, sweetbreads, meat gravies and broths;
· peas, asparagus, mushrooms, peanuts;
· Some fish eg anchovies, sardines, crab, herring, mackerel and all shellfish.

It is recommended that you eat no more than 180gr of animal protein daily. Alternative protein sources include soybeans, tofu, some nuts (not peanuts!)

To reduce acidity and inflammation eat plenty of:
· Raw fruit, vegetables, especially celery and tomatoes;
· grains, seeds, and nuts (eg walnuts);
· Dark red and blue berries (eg blueberries, blackberries, and cherries) as they contain chemicals that assist in reducing inflammation and neutralizing excess acidity;
· Certain fatty acids found in cold water fish (eg, salmon), flax or olive oil may have some anti-inflammatory benefits.
· Ginger, turmeric and Bromelain (derived from pineapple) contain anti-inflammatory agents;
· Vitamin E, selenium and aspartic acid may be beneficial in both prevention and treatment of gout.
· Drinking plenty of water and herbal teas helps remove crystals from the body by diluting urates.

These are just some of the alternative gout treatments available today, many of which can be combined with medication or other alternative gout remedies.

Gout is a serious condition. If untreated, it can cause severe and irreversible damage. There is no cure for gout...however, with proper care, gout can be no more life-threatening than the common cold.

This information is of a general nature only and should not be used to replace individual medical advice. You are urged to talk with your GP or healthcare practitioner before trying any of these gout treatments.

For more interesting reading please visit my website www.balm-energy.com.au
click on Better Body Bits where you'll find a selection of pdf articles.

References [accessed 26/5/06]:
www.bone-muscle.health-cares.net/gout www.joint-pain.com/gout-treatments.html