Medication Diuretics used for weight loss or heart disease, insulin, some antibiotics, medication for rheumatoid arthritis, or an overdose of B vitamins can cause uric acid levels to rise. Diuretics reduce sodium, magnesium, calcium and potassium (among other things) levels. If you need to use a diuretic, see our natural herbal products for ones with fewer side effects. One customer reported getting Gout when he took beta-blockers for his high blood pressure.
Poor kidney function When kidneys are not functioning at optimum levels, they lose their ability to excrete uric acid from the body. This situation may be due to various kidney problems or over-consumption of alcohol. When alcohol is metabolized, lactic acid is produced, which hinders uric acid excretion by the kidneys.
Dieting Severe dieting or fasting can cause excess lactic acid, which hinders Uric acid crystals excretion by the kidneys. Crash and severe calorie restriction diets shock your metabolism and can trigger a Gout attack. Dieting may also cause a loss of potassium, which can increase urate levels in the blood. As mentioned above, some dieters also use diuretics to speed the process, and they can rob the body of potassium and other minerals, triggering a Gout attack. It seems to be a vicious circle! However, a proper diet that is done slowly is recommended because losing weight will reduce serum levels of Uric acid crystals.
Diet Traditional thinking tells us that Gout is the result of excessive amounts of alcohol, protein, heavy foods, coffee and soft drinks in your diet. Certain foods contain high levels of purine which can cause uric acid levels to rise. Purine is a protein substance that is transformed into uric acid during digestion. Reduction in consumption of these foods is very often successful in reducing or eliminating Gout.
A potassium deficiency can increase urate levels in the blood. This is very important, and ways to correct it are discussed above and under the diuretics section.
Poor kidney function When kidneys are not functioning at optimum levels, they lose their ability to excrete uric acid from the body. This situation may be due to various kidney problems or over-consumption of alcohol. When alcohol is metabolized, lactic acid is produced, which hinders uric acid excretion by the kidneys.
Dieting Severe dieting or fasting can cause excess lactic acid, which hinders Uric acid crystals excretion by the kidneys. Crash and severe calorie restriction diets shock your metabolism and can trigger a Gout attack. Dieting may also cause a loss of potassium, which can increase urate levels in the blood. As mentioned above, some dieters also use diuretics to speed the process, and they can rob the body of potassium and other minerals, triggering a Gout attack. It seems to be a vicious circle! However, a proper diet that is done slowly is recommended because losing weight will reduce serum levels of Uric acid crystals.
Diet Traditional thinking tells us that Gout is the result of excessive amounts of alcohol, protein, heavy foods, coffee and soft drinks in your diet. Certain foods contain high levels of purine which can cause uric acid levels to rise. Purine is a protein substance that is transformed into uric acid during digestion. Reduction in consumption of these foods is very often successful in reducing or eliminating Gout.
A potassium deficiency can increase urate levels in the blood. This is very important, and ways to correct it are discussed above and under the diuretics section.
Foods and Other Things to Avoid
Meat: organ meats, offal, meat extracts, veal, bacon, sweetbreads, meat gravies and broths, consommé/bullion
Poultry: turkey, goose
Seafood: salmon, mackerel, trout, cod, herring, sardines, anchovies, mussels, crab, shrimpVegetables: peas, beans, lentils, asparagus, mushrooms, cooked spinach, rhubarb, cauliflower
Yeast products: baked goods, beer
Alcohol - it increases the production of Uric acid crystals and inhibits its excretion by the kidneys
Coffee - it accelerates the breakdown of protein into uric acid
All fried foods - they cause a depletion of vitamin E, which can cause Uric acid crystals to rise
Cream and ice cream
Rich desserts
Spices
Pastries
Simple sugars, simple carbohydrates and saturated fats - they increase your body's production of Uric acid crystals and impair your kidneys' ability to get rid of it. Eliminate fructose (found in food and drinks, like sodas)
White flour
Aspirin can raise uric acid levels. If you need to use pain killers, only use ones with ibuprofen.
Oatmeal
Whole grains
Caffeine - it impairs kidney function, which is needed to get uric acid out of the body.
No comments:
Post a Comment