Does What You Eat Affect Gout?
Gout and pseudo-gout both have the same symptoms of aching, swelling, inflammation, and loss of range of motion but the similarity stops there. While gout is caused by crystallization of uric acid in the joints, pseudo-gout is caused by the calcification of the joints. It can be largely reduced in severity by your diet. The gout foods to avoid is the kind with high levels of purines. This chemical substance, although not highly toxic, produces uric acid. Too much uric acid in the body causes gout. Foods that cause gout also include dairy products that are high in fat, such as cheese, ice cream, whole milk, and butter. Foods rich in complex carbohydrates, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains may also ease symptoms of gout. Getting regular exercise also helps to a great extend. A big fatty steak and a few pints of beer on a great summer day may not be the best idea for those of us that suffer with gout. A recent study has proven that alcohol and gout don’t mix.
There is some good news for coffee drinkers. For those in the habit of drinking at least 2 cups per day, and are men aged 40 and above, you can take some cheer from recent research which shows that regular coffee consumption can reduce the risk of developing gout.
