Gout, An Overview, Part 2
In Monday’s article we covered the who, what, where, when and why of gout. I think there are only a few things we didn’t cover on our mission to turning you into a gout expert. If, after reading the last article, you examined your medical and family history, the phase of life you are in, and your current lifestyle and feel like your chances of gout rose up to the top of the gout-o-meter, then I suggest you grin and bear the rest of this article.
Although not entirely curable, gout attacks can be prevented and minimized for your own sake. Take a minute and think about what your average diet consists of. If your answer is leaning towards red meats, alcohol, shellfish, foods and soft drinks high in high-fructose corn syrup, certain vegetables high in purines, ie., asparagus, cauliflower, spinach and mushrooms, then you may have a little re-arranging in the diet department to consider. These foods are all high in purines, which is what elevates your uric acid levels.
To get your purine levels down you may want to consider making a small change to your daily intake. Although the foods listed above are the foundation of the average Americans daily diet, it is okay to consume all of these foods, just watch your portion size because that could easily save yourself from an unwarranted attack of gout. Just keep the word moderation in mind before every meal, even if it is a Morton’s filet mignon.
Studies also show that consuming more than the average recommended amount of water and skim milk can stave off gout attacks. Some blame their gout on dehydration. Although that research is not proven, it certainly doesn’t hurt a body to add more water and milk. You can at least be sure you will not get dehydrated and your bones will thank you. Also, adding a little vitamin C to your diet has proved to lower your uric acid level as well. All in all, I believe the best method to fending off gout is to eat healthy, eat in moderation, and keep hydrated. However, if gout is a genetic disease, you may have grandma to thank for your undying, but useless efforts.
To potentially prevent an attack there are a few actions you can take that are readily available to anyone.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
Add a CommentComments
There are no comments yet. Be the first one and get the conversation started!