Are you suffering from pain & swelling in your great toe? It could be GOUT….
- A normal by-product of protein is uric acid.
- Normally, this uric acid is excreted through your urine.
- But sometime, your body produces more uric acid or
your kidney excretes less uric acid. So, there is
excess accumulation of uric acid in your body.
- This uric acid gets crystallized and deposits in your
joints- especially in your great toe.
What are the causes of gout?
Genetics-
If any one in your family have gout then
you are at high risk to develop it.
Overweight-
If you are overweight, your body produces
more uric acid and your kidney have more
difficult time to excrete it. This leads to increased
level of uric acid in your body leading to gout.
Alcohol-
Especial if you have more beer, it increases risk of gout.
Eating food rich in purine ( high protein)
This purine rich food increases your uric acid level leading to gout.
Exposure to lead in the environment-
Exposure to lead via contaminated air, water, dust, food may
inhibit excretion of the waste product urate and this leads to gout.
How your food can be your medicine for your gout?
Anthocyanin are the type of flavonoid, an
antioxidant found naturally in many
foods. It is a pigment that gives red, purple, and blue plants
their rich colour. It has anti-inflammatory effect, helping
you to reduce your pain and swelling.
Good vegetarian sources of anthocyanin are:
- Cherry
- Plum
- Purple cabbage
- Red onion.
Another nutrient that helps you in gout is,
Vitamin B6-
Vitamin B6 helps you to prevent uric acid from turning into crystals.
Good vegetarian sources of B6 are:
- Sprouts
- Carrot
- Spinach
Magnesium-
Magnesium helps in absorption of vitamin B 6
Good vegetarian sources of magnesium are:
- Almond
- Tofu
- Flax seeds
I have seen patients when they come to know about
their high level of uric acid, they stop eating their
pulses and beans (food high in protein). They think that
it will increase their uric acid level. But the fact is,
even if you are suffering from gout, you should
not stop taking the protein 100%. Consult a
qualified dietitian to get your therapeutic diet.
Let your food be your medicine.
That’s all for today
See you next Tuesday
With another Tuesday tip
Till then
Take care
Providing simple solutions for the complexities of life
Dr Bhumita Makwana
Your Dietitian & Homoeopathic Physician.
