The Atkins Diet And Gout ? Do They Mix?

                

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Here is a question we are asked quite a lot. Does The Atkins diet and gout mix? or for that matter does any low carb diet and gout mix?

The problem with the Atkins diet and gout is that the Atkins Diet is based around the theory that a low carbohydrate, high protein intake allows the body to burn fat more easily. Great for losing weight, not so good for gout sufferers ? Let me explain!

One contributory factor to gout is being overweight and 'losing the extra pounds' is usually one of the first suggestions that a doctor will make. As gout is such a painful condition most sufferers are looking for a weight loss program that will take the pounds off quickly without leaving them feeling deprived. This is where diets such as Atkins fit the bill. However, there is a problem...

Your body develops gout when it is not processing uric acid effectively, because of either hereditary reasons, or an increase in production of uric acid through increased intake of purine rich food, or above normal rates of cell degeneration.

Uric acid is a natural waste product that the body produces. Uric acid is dissolved in the blood stream and is eliminated via urine. If there is elevated levels of uric acid in the bloodstream due to the body being unable to process and eliminate uric acid effectively, Hyperuricemia can develop.

Although, not dangerous in itself, hyperuricemia has the side effect of depositing excess uric acid, which then crystallizes, into the spaces between joints and the soft connective tissue which links the joints. The crystals are sharp, jagged needles that cause intense pain, swelling, redness and heat in the joint.

Excess uric acid can result from a number of factors such as: not drinking enough water to keep the levels dilute, drinking too much alcohol and eating a diet high in purine-rich foods.

Purine is found mainly in protein dense foods, and predominantly animal protein foods. However, these protein rich foods tend to form the backbone of the Atkins diet and other low carb diets.

The rationale for adopting a high-protein Atkins diet, and other similar 'low-carb' diets is to burn of fat quickly by cutting back on carbohydrates. The theory is that carbohydrates turn to sugar and the body will target sugars first when looking for fuel to burn. As you remove or heavily restrict carbohydrates in your diet, the body has no choice but the burn the reserves of fat.

This then gives the result of quick weight loss. However, this process of burning up fat produces lactic acid as a by-product, which then has to be processed by the kidneys before elimination; keeping uric acid levels in the blood stream higher and the likelihood of a gout attacks is subsequently increased.

Another risk of following a low carb diets, if you're predisposed to gout, is they can lead to a build up ketones in the blood stream, another compound which can push uric acid levels higher.

So, gout sufferers are usually better to follow a gout-friendly diet rather than a low-carb diet. Although the weight loss may be slower, your chances of suffering another gout attack is very reduced dramatically.

There is the option of adopting a tailored low carb diet that takes into account your gout risk, combined with other treatments to increases the expulsion of uric acid from the body.

For information and advice on choosing the right diet, between an Atkins diet and gout friendly diets sign up for a free newsletter on our site.

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Help for Diabetes, Gout and More

                

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Overview of Gout

Gout is a systemic disease caused by the buildup of uric acid in the joints, causing inflammation, swelling, and pain. This condition can develop for two reasons. The liver may produce more uric acid than the body can excrete in the urine, or a diet of rich foods (e.g., red meat, cream sauces, red wine) puts more uric acid into the bloodstream than the kidneys can filter. In both cases, a condition called hyperuricemia results. Over time, the uric acid crystallizes and settles in the joint spaces, most commonly in the first metatarsal phalangeal joint of the big toe or in the ankle joint.

Signs and Symptoms

The most common symptoms of gout are inflammation, swelling, and tenderness in the joint of the first toe. Touching or moving it is intensely painful and patients often say it hurts to have as much as a bedsheet over the toe. Gout develops quickly and typically occurs in only one joint at a time. Symptoms may develop in two or three joints simultaneously, but this is rare. If widespread symptoms occur, the condition is probably not gout.

Diagnosis

The most reliable way to diagnose gout is to examine the joint fluid for uric acid crystals. This is done by drawing fluid from the joint with a needle and examining it under a polarized light microscope. Although the test is invasive, the results are definitive, and a positive result facilitates proper treatment and quick relief.

Treatment

Treatment for gout involves decreasing the amount of uric acid in the joint. If dietary habits are the cause, the patient's lifestyle must be changed to avoid the condition. Gout is readily corrected with patient cooperation, and it is usually not treated unless it occurs frequently. Colchicine is a common medication for treating acute gout attacks. If continuous medication is necessary, the two most common choices are probenecid and allopurinol.

Prevention

Alcohol and rich foods are primary contributors to excessive uric acid levels. Although some patients have a genetic predisposition to excessive uric acid production, most gout patients have normal kidneys and uncontrolled dietary habits. Prevention is the best defense against the disease.

Many patients who suffer from gout continue to indulge, and suffer frequent attacks as a result. Although medication makes it possible to live with gout, the continued accumulation of uric acid in the joints eventually damages them, seriously inhibiting movement.

Overview of Diabetes

New to diabetes? Learn the basics check with your local diabetes clinic or research it on the internet.

A key to diabetes management is maintaining a regular exercise program. Its never too late to start see below. Sticking to dietary goals while eating out also can be very challenging see comments below.

20 million Americans and Canadians have diabetes. Nearly 7 million don't know it. Type 2 diabetes usually develops slowly, and the symptoms often go unnoticed. Our son developed a puffiness to his face which we noticed right away because we saw him only a couple of times a year. He and his wife put it down to simple weight gain. After 2 years they finally snapped to there being something wrong and when he was finally checked out his diabetes was off the charts. Fortunately, they caught it in time, but it should have been caught over a year earlier.

Nearly 90 to 95% of all people with diabetes have type 2. Who gets it? Just about any body. Fat, skinny, regular build, it makes no difference; just about everyone can develop diabetes. Most at risk are people regardless of body build who live on a high intake of junk food. Least at risk are people who eat a regular balanced diet.

What you may not know about diabetes the truth about insulin resistance. 92% of people with type 2 diabetes have insulin resistance. Get the facts go to your local diabetes agency or research it on the internet.

Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes. Obesity is not a guarantee you will develop diabetes and many obese persons never develop it, but persons who are obese

Diabetic meals can be healthy and savory.

A key to diabetes management is maintaining a regular exercise program. Its never too late to start and you can do it with a simple walking program. Just walk 1 kilometer a day and over a period of a month build it up to two miles (3 kilometers) a day.

Sticking to dietary goals while eating out can be very challenging. Many, even most, restaurants cater to people with special dietary needs just ask. And learn those restaurants which do not and avoid them.

When it comes to diabetic nutrition, not sure what to believe? There are many stories out there, some believable, others not. Research what you need to know from trusted resources your local diabetes support center, the internet, friends who have diabetes.

The help of friends and family can make all the difference to someone with diabetes.

Help for Diabetes, Gout and Other Disorders

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On the testimonials page below I am L. Windblad and my wife is J.D. Windblad. I have long-term gout (since 1977), damage from gout including numbness and pain in the feet, a prostate which had ceased functioning for the past 2 years, and in Jan 2004 I was diagnosed with a lazy thyroid. By the end of January my thyroid was functioning normally, by April I was noticing an improvement in prostate functioning and by mid-May it was definitely clear that not only was the pain gone but feeling was coming back into my feet. This is written in June 2004 and its all still getting better.

Check out these product testimonials and see what you think about what these products have accomplished in many other lives. Scroll to the bottom of the page and contact the people who gave these testimonials.

There are other stories of miracles with these products and they will be posted as soon as they can be collected. What these products actually do is work to make your body function the way it is supposed to function, and they accomplish this at least in part by restoring your natural Ph balances.

Make sure to go to the product testimonials page above, scroll to the bottom, and click on the email contact for any of the people given, and receive their confirmation and personal full testimonial.

Loring Windblad has studied nutrition and exercise for more than 40 years, is a published author and freelance writer. His latest business endeavor is at http://www.organicgreens.us info@organicgreens.us