Gout Disease, Diet Treatment for Gout Patients
Gout occurs due to wrong food intake – alcohol, ready-made foods with unknown contents, excessive protein intake, increased uric acid production due to some diseases, and the kidneys’ inability to excrete uric acid. Moreover; Acidosis, alcoholism, diabetes, hypoparathyroidism, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephrolithiasis, polycythemia or renal failure, pregnancy toxemia, a purine-rich diet, excessive exercise (increased protein breakdown) and chemotherapy-related side effects may cause excess uric acid in the blood.
There is no definitive treatment and men are at higher risk than women and it is most common in men between the ages of 40-65. It is more common in women after menopause. The amount of uric acid in the blood increases in people with chronic kidney inflammation and those using diuretic drugs. According to the University of Washington orthopedics department; Obesity may be linked to high levels of uric acid in the blood. Long-term fasting and heavy diets can increase the amount of uric acid in the blood and cause gout.
Diagnosis; Excess uric acid in the blood and swelling in the joints on film may be symptoms. However, for a definitive diagnosis, it is necessary to detect the presence of uric acid crystals in the fluid taken from the joints.
Treatment; If the amount of uric acid in the blood is still high, drugs that reduce the amount of uric acid are recommended. If the disease is advanced, regular control and long-term treatment is required. In addition, a special dietary treatment is definitely required.
Diet Treatment for Gout Patients
- Water should be kept abundant and alcohol should be limited.
- Foods containing high purines are dangerous for gout and should not be consumed or consumed in very small amounts. (meat and meat products are rich in purines.)
- According to Choi’s research, people who consume a lot of meat are 40% more likely to get the disease than those who consume less. Again, seafood contains high amounts of purine, and those who consume it are 50% more likely to get sick than those who do not consume it. This situation was also found in Harvard University research.
- Peas, beans, mushrooms, cauliflower and spinach are foods rich in purines.
- According to a study conducted at Harvard Medical School, it was determined that daily low-fat milk intake and daily yoghurt consumption reduced the level of uric acid in the blood. (Arthritis and Rheumatism,2005)
- Plenty of water reduces the concentration of uric acid in the blood.
- Consuming 10-12 glasses of non-alcoholic liquids a day is important in reducing the amount of uric acid in the blood and is also important in patients with kidney stones.
- Alcohol; As it increases the production of uric acid, it also makes its excretion difficult (especially red wine). If you want to consume alcohol, it should be consumed at most 3 times a week and at most 1 glass each time.
- Antioxidant nutrients are important in gout as they protect cells from oxidative damage.
- Fish and poultry should be consumed in maximum 4-6 small pieces daily.
- Deep-fried foods should not be consumed, solid oil and margarine should be avoided.