Life without Caviar and Chocolate?
With today’s busy lifestyle, there seems so little time for some of the so called ‘luxuries in life’. Now it seems that even caviar and chocolate are on the ‘NO’ list – at least it is for those suffering from Gout.
Gout, a form of arthritis is a swelling and severe tenderness of the joints where even the weight of a bed sheet can cause excruciating pain. Caused by the improper metabolism of proteins and the kidneys inability to excrete uric acid, these crystals build up in the synovial fluid (the natural lubricant) in the joints. The body then tries to excrete these invaders by defending itself with inflammation and increasing the blood flow to these areas, unfortunately this can then result in intense pain that can last for weeks if not treated. In severe cases, the uric acid crystals can even build up under the skin in the ears and elbows.
The good news for half the population is that Gout is rare in women especially before menopause.
Gout can be treated with modern medicine; however there may well be side-effects that need to be considered, especially if there are other medical conditions to be considered. Aspirin and some medications for reducing blood pressure can also aggravate gout.
Whether allopathic or complementary medicine practices are employed to alleviate the problem, dietary changes will assist with the control of the condition. If you are overweight (and at least 50% of sufferers usually are), then a reduction in body fat can significantly reduce if not eliminate the chances of an attack. Following a low fat and moderate protein diet is your easiest option. Make gradual and progressive changes to your diet and DO NOT go on fad or crash diets to reduce your weight as these are more likely to increase the amount of uric acid in the blood, thereby aggravating your gout. The additional bonus to dietary changes made gradually is that they are much more likely to be effective in terms of their permanency.
Vitamins B6 and Zinc are essential in the metabolism of protein so are an essential part of a preventative nutritional programme. Foods high in purines promote the production of uric acid, so these should be avoided. Consumption of fish high in the Omega 3 fatty acids have been found to be beneficial, but care must be taken to avoid the oily varieties as these are more likely to provoke an attack. This means that such delicacies as sardines, lentils, dried beans, offal (all kinds), processed meats (including smoked, chocolate, wine, beer, caviar and shellfish are on the taboo list. Items that have a lesser purine content like cauliflower, asparagus, green leafy vegetables, mushrooms, and anything made with baking powder should be consumed only in small quantities. Water is an important part of the dietary control and consumption of at least 6 – 8 glasses of water a day is essential to ensure that your kidneys are flushed regularly. Accordingly to some complementary medical practitioners, consumption of sour cherries and nettle tea can assist in the treatment of gout, although this has yet to be verified, on top of which they are extremely difficult to source here in Thailand. Your grandmother may also have used beetroot in the treatment of gout, but there is no substantiated benefit in this, and consumption of celery is purported to be beneficial.
Many people that suffer from gout also suffer from other medical concerns such as hypertension, diabetes and heart disease, so always consult your health care professional to ensure that any action that you take at home to treat a particular concern does not have a reaction that negatively impacts on other ailments.
Moderation is the answer to a healthy eating programme.