The main points of the diet
- Reduce consumption of high purine foods in favour of low purine foods
- Load up on vitamin C
- Achieve and maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid saturated fats
- Limit alcohol consumption
The benefits of the diet
- Reduce consumption of purine-rich foods to lower uric acid levels
- Achieve and maintain a healthy weight
- Improve insulin sensitivity
- Prevent gout attacks
Link between purine-rich foods, uric acid levels and gout attacks
Gout is caused by an abnormally high level of uric acid in the blood. This is called hyperuricemia.
Uric acid is a waste product that is normally produced in reasonable amounts by metabolism.
In excess, uric acid is deposited 'drop by drop' in the body in the form of crystals, mainly in the joints.
These deposits trigger inflammatory reactions that cause pain.
Uric acid is the end product of the breakdown of purines.
While 60 per cent of purines come from dead cells, 35 per cent come from food.
There is a strong link between insulin resistance, purine-rich foods, hyperuricemia and gout attacks.
The special diet for gout is not a miracle cure, but it can improve everyday life by controlling gout attacks.
The need to maintain a healthy weight
Obesity and metabolic syndrome are risk factors for gout. Losing weight may help reduce the risk of gout attacks.
However, fasting or a high-protein diet is strongly discouraged.
Losing weight too quickly and eating too much protein can actually increase uric acid production.
Gradual weight loss is strongly recommended.
This is achieved by adjusting energy intake, portion size and food quality.
How can you lower uric acid levels through diet?
We can help you understand how you can lower your uric acid levels by changing your eating habits.
The first step is to learn about and avoid foods that are high in purines.
Other complementary measures can also ease gout attacks by reducing insulin resistance or even protecting the liver.