Anatomical Nourishment: How To Beat Gout Before It Starts

Written By: Vivian Benjamin

What is Gout?
Gout is an inflammatory arthritis that causes pain and swelling in the joints. This is the most common type of arthritis after osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Gout can happen to anyone at any age from 18 years old and above. This medical condition affects men 3 times more than women.



Although gout affects around 1.4% of the global population, the prevalence of this condition has been increasing over the years. Other areas of the body that can be affected by gout are Bursae (cushion-like sacs between bones and other soft tissues), tendon sheaths and membranes around the tendons.
 



Causes of Gout
So, what causes gout? When you have high levels of uric acids building up in your body, crystals can form around the joints consequently; leading to inflammation. Inflammation is the starting point of any disease that leads to chronic diseases which affects the mortality rate of the human population.



There are other risk factors that can increase the risk of developing gout which are:

•     Purine rich food such as seafood (especially shellfish), organ meats, red meat

 

•     Drinking excess amount of alcohol like beer or spirits

 

•     Family history of gout

 

•    Obesity

 

•     Certain medical conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease.

 

•    Certain medications like beta blockers, aspirin and diuretics 

Symptoms of Gout
Gout symptoms usually affect an individual for 3 to 10 days and it has the potential to relapse if it’s triggered. Symptoms of gout include:

•     Severe sharp or burning sensation pain around the joints generally the big toe but also can affect the hands,      wrists, elbows, knees, feet, ankles

 

•     Swelling near the joints

 

•     Redness around the skin area of the joints

 

•     The affected joints may feel warm at touch

 

•     May affect mobility as the joints become stiff

 



Complications of Gout
Chronic gout can lead to numerous complications especially impacting the body’s architecture, which is your bone structure. Other complications include:

•     Tophi formation (hard uric acid deposits that form under the skin) that leads to deformities

 

•     Kidney disease – due to the build-up of uric acid, kidney stones can be formed leading to kidney injury and      chronic kidney disease

 

•     Cardiovascular disease – gout increases the risk of high blood pressure thus leading to heart disease

So, once you are impacted with gout, as time goes by your musculoskeletal or bone health gets damaged which also leads to poor kidney health and heart health. Remember, your body acts as a whole/one unit therefore; damage in one part subsequently leads to damage in another part of the body. 




4 Holistic Tips to Prevent Gout
Why prevention is always better than cure? It’s because once you are diagnosed with gout there is no escaping it. Yes, with technology advancements modern medicine has created many medications to help with gout however; once impacted you can’t reverse it, because treatments for gout can only help ease the symptoms. Let’s explore how holistic interventions can help you prevent gout.

1) Nutrition

There are other methods where uric acid can build up in your body nevertheless; the most common way is through the food you eat. Although several people do not believe that “food is medicine and medicine is food” statement, this statement is true. However, food can also be poisonous or detrimental to your body if it’s not used in balance or in alignment with your health.



Previously, health experts have emphasized reducing red meat, organ meats, seafood (especially shellfish) and alcohol to treat or prevent gout. Presently, many studies have been done and the findings suggest that a more balanced healthier approach is needed to prevent or manage gout.



However, I would like to emphasize that there is no harm in having a balanced diet after being diagnosed with gout, but if you do not reduce the consumption of red meat, seafood and organ meats, you are still at risk of gout relapsing severely. On the other hand, a balanced approach can work for prevention however; you might want to avoid certain foods if you have a risk factor.



Mediterranean diet and DASH diet have been introduced to help prevent or manage gout according to several studies but again be on the watch out for high purine foods. Always know that you can consult a registered dietician or registered nutritionist to help you make healthy choices. 




2) Hydration

Apart from nutrition, hydration plays a major role in helping to prevent gout. Nourishing your body with clear fluid or water is essential to flush out uric acid so it does not build up in the body. Although water doesn’t contain any natural nutrients it is still an essential “nutrient” for all bodily functions.



If you find it hard to tolerate clear fluid or plain water as it’s tasteless, you can always add a lemon slice to create a taste. Besides that, you can always consume medicinal plant tea such as hibiscus tea, blue pea tea or barley water. 




3) Lifestyle 

Regularly exercising and keeping fit can help prevent gout. Although physical activity has no direct impact on preventing gout, exercising can help with healthy blood circulation and improving immune functions which avoids the risk of gout.



Apart from that, exercising regularly decreases blood pressure and maintains a healthy weight. Obesity has been linked to an increase in the risk of gout. Besides that, healthy sleep and positively managing stress reduce inflammation, therefore; directly decreasing gout risk. 




4) Medication

Certain types of medication like diuretics increase the risk of developing gout so be aware of the medications you take in your daily life. Consult with your GP if you have any concerns or have a family history of gout before you take any prescribed medications. Please be mindful and equip yourself with basic knowledge before taking any kind of modern medicine for your medical condition as they have adverse effects. 










​


All in All
Can you beat gout before it starts? Yes, you can prevent gout before it affects your physical health. Although modern medicine has created many medications to treat gout, prevention is always better than cure.


Nutrition Takes explores how gout happens and how you can use holistic interventions to prevent the condition. Share in the comment section what you think or have gained from this knowledge in this article. Alternatively, if you have different insights do feel free to share.













 
References
1. https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/gout
2. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/gout
3. Hyon K.C & John H.S. (2023); Epidemiology of Gout; A Clinicians Pearls & Myths in Rheumatology; 513 – 517.
4. Dehlin M et al. (2020); Global Epidemiology of Gout: Prevalence, Incidence, Treatment Patterns & Risk Factors; Nature
    Reviews Rheumatology; 380 – 390.
5. Angelo G et al. (2020); Gout Epidemiology and Comorbidities; Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism; 11 – 16.
6. Lisa K & Nicola D (2019); Prevention and Treatment of Gout; Nature Reviews Rheumatology; 15: 68- 70.
7. Chio Y et al (2021); Dietary and Lifestyle–Centered Approach in Gout Care and Prevention; Current Rheumatology Report; 23: 51.