The pain during a gout attack is intense, so everyone should think about how to avoid it.
Gout is usually caused by high uric acid, which can also lead to many other conditions such as stroke and high blood pressure. So why does high uric acid occur?
In fact, most of the cases are due to the intake of too many high-purine foods.
Three hidden purine foods
We all know that seafood and soy products are high in purines, but we often overlook the following three foods, which are higher in purines:
1. Dried fungi and algae
The purine content of dried fungi and algae is generally high, such as laver, which is even higher than that of pork liver. Commonly used dried shiitake mushrooms and lion's mane mushrooms are also high in purines, so avoid excessive consumption.
2. Soups
Soups cooked with meat may contain higher levels of purines than the meat itself, as purines are substances that are easily soluble in water. In particular, regular consumption of fish soup can cause the level of uric acid in the body to rise rapidly, causing acute gout.
3. Bean sprouts and bean sprouts
Legume germinating plants such as bean sprouts and pea seedlings have a higher purine content. During their growth, purines, an important nucleotide, accumulate in the plant and are especially active during germination. Therefore, even seemingly healthy vegetables such as bean sprouts and pea sprouts have a non-negligible purine content.
Lifestyle habits to control uric acid
It is not enough to control uric acid through diet alone, good lifestyle habits are also an integral part of uric acid control.
1. Drink plenty of water
It is recommended to drink about 1.5-2 liters of water per day, and the specific amount needs to be determined according to individual conditions and doctor's recommendations. Purines are usually excreted in the urine, so we need to replenish water and increase the amount of urine excreted. Especially after ingesting high-purine foods, it is necessary to drink a lot of water to speed up metabolism.
2. Exercise more
People who are overweight are more likely to have high uric acid problems, so moderate exercise and weight control are very important. Exercise can also boost immunity and reduce the risk of various diseases. However, it is necessary to pay attention to moderate exercise, excessive exercise will lead to heavy sweating, which will make it difficult to excrete urine, which is not conducive to the metabolism of purines.
3. Control your weight
Obesity is highly associated with high uric acid, so weight control is important to reduce uric acid levels. Losing weight through a sensible diet and moderate exercise can help lower uric acid levels.
4. Limit alcohol consumption
Alcohol interferes with the excretion of uric acid, resulting in elevated uric acid levels. In particular, the yeast in beer contains high purines, which can easily trigger gout attacks, so gout patients should try to avoid drinking alcohol.
5. Avoid dehydration and overexertion
Dehydration can lead to concentrated urine, increasing the risk of uric acid crystallization. Maintain adequate hydration intake and avoid prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Overexertion will speed up the metabolism of purines in the body and increase the production and accumulation of uric acid, so it is important to properly control the balance between work and rest.
6. Follow your doctor's advice
If you have gout or hyperuricemia, it is best to consult a doctor and follow your doctor's recommendations for treatment and management. Your doctor may prescribe specific medications, such as diuretics or inhibitors of uric acid synthesis, to help lower uric acid levels.
Please note that the above recommendations apply in general, but for specific individuals and patients, treatment may need to be adapted and customized to their specific situation. Therefore, it is very important to consult a doctor or medical professional.