If you have an increased level of uric acid in your blood, it is not good. It can also result in a disease affecting the joints called gout. How does it occur and how can it be prevented? A proper diet and appropriate foods will also help.
What are purines and uric acid? How are they related?
Purines are chemical compounds contained in some foods. Our body can normally handle them to advise yourself and spend them. But if there are too many of them, the body cannot digest them. As a result, increases uric acid level in the blood.
Uric acid is a waste product that is released during the digestion of purines. It is excreted from the body through the kidneys. Some of it remains in our body as antioxidant and protects us from oxygen radicals. However, its long-term elevated levels are bad.
The consequence is her settling in jointswhere it can operate inflammations and the emergence days.
What is gout?
Bottom is chronic metabolic disease. This is a form of arthritis. As we have already mentioned, it mainly affects the joints, where it forms repeated inflammationsThe affected joint is swollen, red, hot and also painful.
Since it is a chronic disease, we know that does not arise from one day to the next. Uric acid crystals gradually build up in the joints and slowly destroy them. You may not feel any pain until the first attack. The first affected joint is most often the big toe.
Due to poor purine breakdown, we can also have genetic predisposition. But it is not the only risk factor. Another one is of course poor diet and consumption of inappropriate foods, alcohol, but also obesityEither way, it's a good idea to limit these foods in your diet as much as possible. It's even necessary after the onset of gout.
How to deal with gout?
If you have symptoms or any other feeling that you may be affected by a problem with excess uric acid, we recommend using accredited laboratorywhich determines from a blood test uric acid concentrationThe sample is taken on an empty stomach and the day before you should not drink caffeinated beverages or alcohol, expose yourself excessively to the sun or engage in any excessive exercise.
If you don't know which accredited laboratory to contact, don't hesitate to contact us. contact and we will be happy to advise you.
Which foods contain a lot of purines?
Foods containing more than 40 mg of purines per 100 g are particularly risky. These include:
- sausages
- meat from young animals
- fried and grilled meat
- game
- meat broths
- guts
- soy sauce
- fatty cheeses
- legumes
- cocoa and chocolate
- whole grain foods
- alcohol
- spinach
- cabbage
- rhubarb
- garlic
- asparagus
- horseradish
Vegetables themselves do not significantly increase the risk of gout. Much riskier foods are: meat, alcohol and fructose.
How can we help each other?
First of all, the body needs to be properly to purify, so we have to get into it large amounts of fluids. The best are alkaline mineral watersThese help alkalize urine, but do not affect the pH of the blood. Limit coffee and caffeine in general, as well as avoid sugary drinks and especially alcohol.
Also movement can prevent inflammation in the joints, as well as their pain and stiffness. However, remember to take your current health and physical condition into account when exercising.
Regular exercise and a healthy diet will also keep you fit and prevent obesity, which is another risk factor for gout.
Choose foods that are vitamin C, fiber and quality sourdough dairy products. Of the fruits, the following are suitable: bananas, pears, oranges, cherries and berries. Furthermore, it is also good apple cider vinegarIn addition, there are dietary supplements available without a prescription, which help either prevent problems or treat existing problems caused by excess uric acid.