How to Manage Gout with Functional Nutrition

How to Manage Gout with Functional Nutrition

HYPERURICEMIA & GOUT 101

Uric acid is produced when the body breaks down fructose and nucleotide molecules (specifically, the purine bases that are part of DNA's structure). Normally, the kidneys process and excrete uric acid.

Hyperuricemia occurs when uric acid crystals are not excreted properly, causing them to build up in the bloodstream, joints, and other tissues.

This buildup can trigger the immune system and lead to swelling and inflammation—a condition known as gouty arthritis.


How to Manage Gout with Functional Nutrition

URIC ACID BALANCE STRATEGIES

HEALTHY WEIGHT

hyperuricemia & gout tend to correlate with obesity & metabolic diseases, so achieving a healthy weight can benefit all conditions

REDUCE AGGRAVATING FOODS

high consumption of high-purine foods (red meat, pork, organ meats, seafood), alcohol, fructose, & citrus increase gout flares

EAT FOR RELIEF

tart cherries, quality dairy, soy, coffee, & a high-fiber diet have all been found to decrease gout flares

DECREASE INFLAMMATION

with regular movement, adequate sleep, minimal toxins, stress management, & an anti-inflammatory diet


foods that aggravate gout

FOODS THAT AGGRAVATE GOUT

  • ALCOHOL

  • RED & ORGAN MEAT

  • SEAFOOD

  • CITRUS

  • FRUCTOSE: High-fructose corn syrup and juice can aggravate gout, while fructose from whole fruit is buffered by fiber & nutrients.

foods that improve gout

FOODS THAT IMPROVE GOUT

  • DAIRY

  • SOY

  • COFFEE

  • TART CHERRIES

  • FIBER


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References

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Danve A, Sehra ST, Neogi T. Role of diet in hyperuricemia and gout. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2021 Dec;35(4):101723. doi: 10.1016/j.berh.2021.101723. Epub 2021 Nov 19. PMID: 34802900; PMCID: PMC8678356.

Ebrahimpour-Koujan S, Saneei P, Larijani B, Esmaillzadeh A. Consumption of sugar sweetened beverages and dietary fructose in relation to risk of gout and hyperuricemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2020;60(1):1-10. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2018.1503155. Epub 2018 Oct 2. PMID: 30277800.

Fang XY, Qi LW, Chen HF, Gao P, Zhang Q, Leng RX, Fan YG, Li BZ, Pan HF, Ye DQ. The Interaction Between Dietary Fructose and Gut Microbiota in Hyperuricemia and Gout. Front Nutr. 2022 Jun 22;9:890730. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.890730. PMID: 35811965; PMCID: PMC9257186.

George C, Minter DA. Hyperuricemia. [Updated 2022 Jul 18]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459218/

Jamnik J, Rehman S, Blanco Mejia S, de Souza RJ, Khan TA, Leiter LA, Wolever TM, Kendall CW, Jenkins DJ, Sievenpiper JL. Fructose intake and risk of gout and hyperuricemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. BMJ Open. 2016 Oct 3;6(10):e013191. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013191. PMID: 27697882; PMCID: PMC5073537.

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Nielsen SM, Bartels EM, Henriksen M, Wæhrens EE, Gudbergsen H, Bliddal H, Astrup A, Knop FK, Carmona L, Taylor WJ, Singh JA, Perez-Ruiz F, Kristensen LE, Christensen R. Weight loss for overweight and obese individuals with gout: a systematic review of longitudinal studies. Ann Rheum Dis. 2017 Nov;76(11):1870-1882. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2017-211472. Epub 2017 Sep 2. PMID: 28866649; PMCID: PMC5705854.

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