A doctor will recommend that a sufferer of gout who is overweight lose weight. This is why a lot of people look at a comparison between Atkins and gout friendly diets. Gout is a major risk factor. Around half of all gout sufferers are obese or overweight. The best diet will have a big impact on the success of your gout treatment. The Atkins diet is based upon the idea that too many refined carbohydrates are causing gout. This is why many people struggle to maintain a healthy weight.
Carbohydrates
Extra carbohydrates that aren’t used for fuel by the body get converted to sugar and stored in fat. Although both carbs as well as fat can be burned, our bodies will always burn the more carbohydrate-rich ones first because they are easier to process. The Atkins diet restricts carb intake and forces the body to burn fat. This diet may work for you if you have gout. Gout sufferers will find it difficult to eat Atkins or other low-carb diets that heavily rely on protein-based foods. Hyperuricema, a medical term that refers to an increase in uric acid levels in the bloodstream, is what causes gout.
Uric acid, a natural by-product of our bodies, is usually eliminated by the kidneys via urine. Uric acid crystals form in the joints when the elimination process is hampered or there is an abnormally high level of uric acids in the body. Gout symptoms include hot, red, swollen, and extremely painful joints. Consuming purine-rich foods is one of the main causes for hyperuricemia. Purine is converted to uric acid when it is ingested. Animal-based proteins are the foods with the highest levels of purine.
Aktins Diet
These are the foods that make up the majority of the Atkins diet plan. You can see the potential problems that a gout sufferer could face if they follow Atkins or other low/restricted-carb diets. Gout sufferers have an alternative. Although it may take longer to see weight loss results, the risk of further gout attacks is greatly decreased. Gout sufferers can adopt a healthy diet, drink more water, and get as much exercise as they can safely.
Gout sufferers should lose weight slowly as rapid weight loss can have the opposite effect and make their symptoms worse. Extreme diets and rapid weight loss can lead to an increase in uric acid levels. Gout friendly diets are made up of complex carbohydrates, low-fat and low-protein foods, and foods low in purine.
Final Tip
Limiting your intake of protein to 100 grams per day is a good idea. It is also advisable to limit or avoid alcohol as it can increase the body’s production of uric acid. To speed up elimination and dilute uric acids, aim to drink 8-10 glasses of water per day. You can lose weight, maintain a healthy weight, and prevent future gout attacks by following a sensible diet. Get more information on low carb, Atkins diets and gout friendly diets by signing up for our free newsletter.