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.

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By Lisa McDowell. Sign up for a free newsletter & discover more about atkins diet and gout diets, plus other natural cure for gout options.

Getting Rid Of Gout

                

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Gout is a clinical syndrome involving recurrent attacks of severe arthritis of sudden onset with complete remissions. This condition is usually due to the presence of excess uric acid or urate concentrations in the blood. It is also commonly known as hyperuricaemia, which implies that the urate concentration is higher than what is regarded as normal. Arthritic gout can occur at any time after puberty until the age of seventy-five. More common in men than women, arthritic gout can cause intense pain in the joints that can last for a few minutes or a few days. In order to get rid of gout completely, it is essential to understand how and when to treat the condition and the suitable medication available.

The first step to get rid of gout has to be an accurate diagnosis of gout. Only when a correct diagnosis of gout is made, appropriate treatment can be chosen. If there is anything atypical or unusual about the symptoms, the doctor may have to take a sample of some fluid from an affected joint for a closer examination. This will allow the doctor to better understand the gout cause and prescribe gout medication accordingly.

In addition, the dose of medication is an important consideration in getting rid of gout successfully. It has to be large enough to ensure that adequate treatment is received. Choice of the drug and its dose should be planned in advance. Typically, the drug that has helped to get rid of gout is colchicines. It is advisable to start a full course with colchicines and it should be continued either until there is relief or side effects require termination.

Other common ways to get rid of gout include avoiding alcohol consumption, changing one's diet and exercising more regularly. There is no restriction to the type of exercise one prefers to engage in. However it is important to bear in mind that when one should avoid exercising when having a gout attack. By sticking to a diet that consists of low purine food, it is possible to reduce gout attacks and get rid of the gout pain completely. Restricting the intake of alcoholic beverages that contain purines to a one glass per week, will also help in achieve the aim of getting rid of gout totally.

?Skyjoe. All rights reserved. This article may be freely distributed as long as it remains unaltered inclusive of the active links and the copyright notice. No alteration is allowed without express written permission from the author.

For more information on the different kinds of Gout Pain Relief, Gout Natural Remedy or Best Diet For Gout, please visit the following website: Gout Treatment & Natural Remedy

The Link Between Diet and Gout

                

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Gout is the most painful form of a rheumatic disease. First it attacks the joint from the big toe and then if it's not taken care of it may spread and affect other joints too. Gout is the result of uric acid crystals that appear in the joints and cause them to inflammate, which leads to severe pain and swelling.

If you learn its symptoms you will be able to detect and treat it early, which will spare you of some painful gout attacks that occur during the night. The first sign that appears is usually a red and swollen join that hurts a little in the beginning and then more and more until sometimes the pain is unbearable. In more than 90% of the cases the joint from the big toe is affected first, but other joints may be affected too.

Then after short time, gout attacks suddenly appear and they disappear as quickly as they appear. You have the impression that you are cured because the pain and the irritation isn't present anymore, but after a few more days another sudden attack will let you know that the illness is still present. The attacks will come more and more often if you don't treat your gout and they will last more time. The pain will also be more intense and several joints may be affected in the same time.

If you don't visit a doctor the gout will spread and uric acid crystals will form in other joints too. Among these, the most likely are the elbows and the ankles. If you don't lower the levels of uric acid from your body you may also get kidney stones.

You should seek medical attention as soon as you discover that one of your joints is red and swollen but you may discover that you are in fact suffering from pseudogout. The two diseases are similar, but pseudogout is caused by calcium not by uric acid. Calcium excess can also gather inside the joints and cause them to inflammate. Pseudogout is not as severe as gout and it's treated much easier.

If you've been diagnosed with gout you will have to take some medication that lowers the uric acid from your blood and you will also have to change your diet slightly, but if you follow your doctor's instructions you will completely get rid of your gout affection.

If you are intersted in finding more information about gout you can click on this website http://www.gout-info-center.com. Also you will find there valuable information about gout treatments and gout diet.