Content

• Steps

Gout is one of the most painful forms of arthritis. The risk of gout increases when too much uric acid builds up in the body. Gout is more common in men than in women and is often caused by unhealthy eating habits. Therefore, changing the diet is one of the best ways to treat this disease. Medication and other lifestyle changes will also help support the treatment. Here's how to lower uric acid levels to control and treat gout.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Controlling Diet

1. 

   Know the effects of gout on the body. Gout occurs when uric acid levels are too high, resulting in the formation of uric acid crystals in joints and elsewhere. Increased uric acid levels can lead to a number of painful illnesses throughout the body.
   • Because uric acid crystals are heavier than the blood carrying them, they create deposits throughout the body. However, due to gravity, heavy crystals are often pulled down the lower part of the body, including large gaps between joints in the big toe.
   • Kidney stones occur when uric acid crystals form in the kidneys.
   • Crystalline clumps called tophi particles can form under the skin.

2. 

   
   
   Absolutely avoid high-purine animal products. Certain meats, fish and other animal products contain large amounts of purine, which converts to uric acid. Too much uric acid builds up in the joints leading to gout. Therefore, you should absolutely avoid consuming the following foods high in purine to help reduce the effects of gout:
   • Organ meat
   • Herring
   • Anchovy
   • Mackerel

3. 

   
   
   Limit all types of meat and fish. All meats, fish and poultry contain uric acid. You don't have to be completely vegetarian, you just need to cut back on meat and fish to aid in gout treatment. Limit the following foods to 100-170 g (1 serving) per day:
   • Poultry
   • Red meat (pork, beef and lamb)
   • Tuna
   • Lobster
   • Shrimp

4. 

   
   
   Avoid vegetables, fruits, and legumes that are high in uric acid. Certain non-meat products are also high in purines and tend to contribute to the formation of uric acid in the blood. The following vegetables, fruits, and legumes are high in uric acid:
   • Mushroom
   • Bean
   • Peas
   • Lentils
   • Banana
   • Avocado
   • Kiwi
   • Pineapple

5. 

   Eat less fat. Research demonstrates that eating a lot of saturated fats can inhibit the body's ability to process uric acid. Therefore, you should avoid fried foods and foods high in fat, such as whole fat milk. Instead, low-fat foods like fruits and vegetables, legumes and whole grains will help you manage gout better.

6. 

   Avoid high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Fructose will increase uric acid. Therefore, you should avoid drinks that contain high-fructose corn syrup sweeteners as well as desserts and products that contain them. Also, read product packaging carefully because HFCS is present in many different foods, even foods that don't taste sweet like bread or snacks. advertisement

Part 2 of 3: Lifestyle Changes

1. 

   Weight loss. People who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of gout. Losing weight can help control gout and make it easier to treat it. Talk to your doctor about creating a healthy weight loss plan by limiting foods high in purine. In addition to increasing exercise, set a diet that includes the following foods:
   • Lean proteins (except organ meats and fatty fish)
   • Whole grains
   • Fruits and vegetables are low in purines
   • Nuts and other healthy snacks

2. 

   Stress management. Excess stress can make gout flares worse, so it's important to take measures to manage your stress. Exercise and healthy eating can be of great help. In addition to keeping the body healthy, ensure mental health by applying the following methods:
   • Make time for yourself as much as possible. Being in a stressed state can make you suffer more from gout.
   • Meditate, practice yoga, or take some time out. Begin doing an activity regularly to help you feel at ease.
   • Make plenty of time to sleep at night. Try to get into a habit of getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

3. 

   Reduce your consumption of alcoholic beverages, especially beer. Beer is considered to increase uric acid. To fight gout, you must absolutely abstain from drinking beer. However, alcohol will not increase uric acid if consumed in small amounts. You should only drink two servings a day, each containing 150 ml of alcohol will not increase your risk of gout.

4. 

   Drink a lot of water. Water helps to eliminate uric acid from the body, thereby helping to reduce uric acid formation in joints.Every day, you should drink more water than usual, at least 8-16 cups, each 240 ml cup.

5. 

   Evaluate the vitamins and pain relievers you are using. People who take too many vitamins that contain niacin as well as some over-the-counter drugs are also at increased risk of gout. If you need to take a lot of vitamins and medications, talk to your doctor about the effects of medications on gout. The following food supplements and medicines may increase your risk of a gout flare:
   • Niacin
   • Aspirin
   • Diuretic
   • Cyclosporine
   • Levodopa
   advertisement

Part 3 of 3: Medications and Other Treatments

1. 

   Soothe the pain of flare-ups with pain relievers. Gout is one of the most painful forms of arthritis, and when pain flares up, pain relievers can be of great help. It's best to talk to your doctor about a plan to use medications that will improve your health. Your doctor may recommend the following medications, depending on the severity of your gout pain:
   • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This is an available over-the-counter drug.
   • Corticosteroid drugs, eg Prednisone.
   • Colchicine medication. This drug works best within 12 hours of acute pain.

2. 

   Get treatment for underlying causes. Gout is not always caused by eating too much meat and foods rich in purine. Sometimes, it can be due to the body's inability to get rid of uric acid for a variety of other reasons. If you are affected by one of the following problems, you need proper treatment to manage gout:
   • Some people with gout have an enzyme deficiency that makes it difficult for the body to break down purines.
   • Some people get gout from being exposed to lead.
   • People who have had organ transplant surgery are particularly susceptible to gout.

3. 

   Try new treatments for gout. As gout tends to get worse, scientists are always testing new treatments and new drugs. If gout is affecting your quality of life and the conventional treatments you are using are not working, talk with your doctor about testing other treatments. advertisement