Historically referred to as the "disease of the wealthy" due to its association with the rich and their lifestyles, gout is extremely painful and inflammatory.
According to doctors, it is a form of arthritis characterised by sudden attacks of intense pain, swelling, redness, and tenderness in the joints, often the joint at the base of the big toe. Gout is caused by the buildup of uric acid in the body, leading to the formation of needle-like crystals in the joints. The symptoms of gout come and go in episodes known as flares or gout attacks.
How does an increase in uric acid cause gout?
Doctors say a buildup of excess uric acid can lead to gout as your body naturally makes uric acid when it breaks down chemicals known as purines found in certain foods and drinks. Your kidneys usually filter uric acid out of your blood, and then it leaves your body when you pee. However, when your body makes too much uric acid or your kidneys do not remove it from your blood fast enough, it forms uric acid crystals that settle into your joints. The sharp crystals clump together and cause sudden episodes of pain, swelling, and other symptoms. According to experts, having temporarily high uric acid levels does not mean you will develop gout.
Signs and symptoms of gout
Gout attacks can be extremely painful and can happen suddenly. A few signs and symptoms include:
What foods can cause gout?
Doctors say eating or drinking foods that are loaded with purines are more likely to cause high uric acid levels that lead to gout, including:
Sugary drinks and desserts
Sugar or fructose breaks down into uric acid and can trigger symptoms of gout.
Corn syrup
It is a concentrated form of fructose found in all packaged food products and processed snacks.
Alcohol
Even though not all alcoholic drinks are high in purines, alcohol prevents your kidneys from eliminating uric acid, pulling it back into your body, where it continues to accumulate.
Organ meats
Meats like liver, tripe, sweetbreads, brains, and kidneys are very high in purines
Certain seafood
Herring, scallops, mussels, codfish, tuna, trout, and haddock.
Red meat
Beef, lamb, pork, and bacon.
Foods that help you lower symptoms of gout
Doctors can suggest medications and changes to your diet that will lower your uric acid levels and minimise how often you experience gout attacks in the future. Following a low-purine diet encourages you to consume fewer foods and drinks with high purine content. This will help reduce uric acid in your body. It also encourages you to eat some select foods that may reduce your uric acid levels. Most experts recommend eating bananas, which are high in potassium, which helps your body excrete uric acid through urine. Also, bananas are a powerhouse of vitamin C-an important antioxidant that helps lower uric acid levels in the blood. Also, apart from bananas, you can focus on other low-fructose and high-vitamin C fruits like oranges, limes, grapefruit, kiwi, strawberries, raspberries, cherries, apples, and pineapples
