Gout: epidemiology and lifestyle choices
Title: Gout: epidemiology and lifestyle choices
Authors: Choi HK and Curhan G
Publication: Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2005 May;17(3):341-5.
In this article, the authors reviewed a large study that investigated
dietary factors that affect gout. This study confirmed that red
meats, seafood, beer, and liquor seem to exacerbate gout where
as total protein, wine and purine-rich vegetables do not. Dairy
products seem to have protective effect in preventing gout. These
factors seem to work by increasing or lowering the levels of uric
acid.
Fat amount, weight gain, hypertension or high blood pressure,
and use of diuretics (medications that increase the production
of urine) are also found to be linked to gout. Weight loss was
found to have protective effect in preventing gout.
The authors suggest that lifestyle and dietary recommendations
should be taken into account when treating gout or designing public
health policies, as they also have other effects beyond gout.
