Gout is a serious disease characterized by impaired protein metabolism in the body. This is one of the incurable diseases, but it is possible to reduce the frequency and duration of crises. Therefore, one must know the subtleties of the disease and the ways to control it.
Essence of the disease gout
Gout is a type of arthritis that most commonly affects the big toe joint. The disease is caused by accumulated urate crystals in the joints and the tissues around them.
This disease is caused by the breakdown of purines, and these are found in foods such as sausages and other types of meats - offal and seafood. Drinks such as alcohol and sweetened juices are to blame as well.
Lifestyle and diet are the biggest predisposing factors for gout, but other factors that have an impact are gender, age and co-morbidities. Most often predisposing to gout are other diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
Often the first symptom of the disease is pain and swelling of one of the joints - the thumb, the elbow joint and others. The joint becomes inflamed, hot, red, throbbing and has to be immobilized. The first manifestation of gout can also be a kidney crisis due to the presence of uric acid stones in the kidneys.
The disease must be treated because it can lead to serious complications such as permanent damage to the joint.
Groups at risk of developing gout are people over the age of 40 in males and women after menopause in females. It is not uncommon for attacks to occur at an earlier age as well. Men are more likely to get ill than women.
The role of nutrition in the treatment of gout
Most often, gout is treated with a nutritious diet, hydration, and weight management, as medications have a number of side effects.
Why the role of food is so essential
A large part of uric acid, which is a waste product and is excreted from the body in the urine, is obtained during the breakdown of ingredients from food. So about 2/3 of the uric acid in the body is the result of food consumption, and the remaining 1/3 is the result of the regeneration processes of the body's own tissues. These 2/3 of uric acid, which are caused by food, are not small when we have a problem with it. Therefore, without a change in the diet, it is very difficult to control this disease.
The emphasis in the gout diet should be on increased consumption of alkalizing foods. Uric acid is easily emitted and excreted in the urine when the environment inside the body is alkaline. Conversely, if the menu is rich in foods that acidify the body, uric acid becomes insoluble and begins to settle in the form of crystals in the joints or in the kidneys.
Alkalizing foods include, first of all, fresh fruits and vegetables. They should be present daily in the menu of people with gout. Other foods that alkalize the body are certain grains such as millet, buckwheat. Yogurt has a neutral reaction, which makes it a suitable food for gout. There are also alkalizing waters. These are mineral waters with a pH above 8.5.
Some herbal teas can also be used - linden, chamomile, rose hip and corn silk. With their mild diuretic effect, they support the elimination of uric acid.
Tap water with a little lemon or orange juice added to make it alkaline is also suitable for gout. The most important thing is to drink enough fluids. People with gout should monitor the color of their urine. When it is bright, it means that the water intake is sufficient. If the urine is dark, it means that it is very concentrated and the emission of uric acid is difficult.
Suitable foods for a gout
The gout patient's menu should be mostly vegetarian, but with enough dairy products and eggs because of the need for enough protein. In case of a crisis, it is good to have 2-3 light days with only alkalizing foods 0 raw fruits, vegetables and yogurt in the company of mineral waters.
During the rest of the time, when the patient is not in crisis, they can drink 1-2 cups of tea or alkaline water in the morning and the food should be mainly alkalizing.
Treatment of gout with food
Cherries for gout
In the acute phase of the disease it is good to drink cherry juice. It lowers uric acid levels and prevents the development of gout.
Cherries for gout have also been shown to be effective in treating this disease. Including them in the diet can reduce the symptoms of the disease. Anthocyanins, substances that give cherries their bright color, help fight the disease. It has been found that they have an anti-inflammatory effect, so they ease the course of the disease.
Celery seeds for gout
Celery is a valuable product that contains and many useful compounds. Most of them are found in the seeds of the plant. They include:
- luteolin;
- 3-n-butylphthalide (3nB);
- Beta seline.
Luteolin has been found to suppress nitric oxide production. Normally, this substance is beneficial for the body, but with its excess, oxidative stress develops and the body reacts with an inflammatory reaction. These processes are prevented by luteolin, which is in celery seeds.
In addition, luteolin itself prevents the excessive production of uric acid, as it belongs to flavonoids. The substance prevents the production of xanthine oxidase, which leads to the accumulation of purines in the body. Moderate intake of luteolin may reduce the frequency of gout attacks.
The composition of celery seeds includes 3nB. This compound reduces the inflammation that is always present in gout. By acting on certain cells, 3nB prevents oxidative stress and inflammation.
The therapeutic properties of beta-selenine should not be forgotten. It has antioxidant activity and leads to cessation of inflammation. These properties of beta-selenium can be used successfully in the treatment of gout with food.
Coffee for gout
There are many studies that suggest that coffee is a gout preventer. This is due to the fact that it contains minerals, polyphenols and caffeine. Coffee prevents the development of the disease by lowering the level of uric acid. Its intake contributes to its rapid removal from the body. In addition, the action of coffee is similar to the body's own enzyme responsible for the breakdown of purines. In this way, the rate of uric acid formation is reduced. People who drink coffee have low levels of uric acid in their bodies and have less urate in their urine. The caffeine in coffee is methylxanthine, which also has the ability to block the action of xanthine oxidase.
People with insulin resistance are less likely to excrete sodium salts and uric acid from the body. As insulin levels decrease, this process normalizes. Therefore, coffee can be used as a means of prophylaxis and treatment of gout.
Lemon juice for gout
Lemon juice and its extract help reduce the level of uric acid in the blood. The juice of this citrus helps to normalize the level of uric acid as it alkalizes the body. Its regular consumption increases the pH of blood and other fluids, including urine.
Bananas for gout
A change in diet has been shown to be the best prevention of gout attacks. The menu should include products containing a minimum amount of purines. Bananas are low in purines. Therefore, they can and should be eaten by people suffering from gout. An additional benefit comes from the fact that bananas are rich in vitamin C, which reduces uric acid levels.
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